Happy 95th Birthday Judy Garland

As the country prepares for the Equality March for Unity & Pride this weekend, it's notable that Hollywood legend and gay icon Judy Garland, who inspired us with dreams of rainbows long before we took up the symbol for ourselves, would have turned 95 today.

As a young gay, I knew Garland was one of the LGBT world's "high holies" in the pantheon of idols. I wasn't the biggest fan, but I appreciated the talent.

Getting older as a gay man, as an artist in the theatre, AND as I learned to raise my voice as an activist, when I came across this clip from Judy's 1960s TV show, I suddenly got it.

On December 13, 1963, Judy sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" in honor of the recent death of President John F. Kennedy.

Garland and Kennedy were friends and she had campaigned on his behalf.

According to Garland's daughter, Lorna Luft, at the taping of this performance Judy looked into the camera and said, "This is for you, Jack," but CBS edited it out as too political. Still, everyone knew what the song was about.

This remains my favorite performance ever by Garland. I see her vulnerability, her conviction, and her indomitable strength all at the same time.

 Like a sorcerer whose once awesome powers might have dimmed, through sheer force of will she again summons powerful artistry to pay honor to her friend.

For a brief, shining moment the magic returned.

The loss of the president and the inspiration of his promise is clear in her eyes. Check out the 3:10 mark as she stands strong and tall in her conviction.

THIS was why she was a star. This is why she remains in our consciousness.

With the Equality March for Unity & Pride this weekend, and pride events all over the country, I'm sure we'll all hold more than one rainbow in our hearts.

Happy birthday Judy Garland.

Yeah, I Cried A Bit

Blind boy throws out his first pitch

Posted by The Bear Shit on Thursday, October 15, 2015

Lead Singer Of Devo Talks Creativity, Art And Growing Up Legally Blind

Maybe you thought that Devo was just trying to be "cool." And it turns out there was a lot more behind the band.

Devo lead singer, Mark Mothersbaugh, speaks on growing up legally blind, despising music until he saw the Beatles, and how Devo got it's name in this video from California Inspires Me.

Great story via very cool video graphics. Well-worth the watching.

(h/t JMG)

Windows

It will take just 37 seconds to read this and change your thinking..

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.

His bed was next to the room's only window.

The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end.

They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the
military service, where they had been on vacation..

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and colour of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every colour and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.

Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days, weeks and months passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.

She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.

It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.

She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'

Epilogue:
There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy. 'Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present .'

(via Sun Gazings Facebook page)

A few words of encouragement to start your day

(via reddit)

Quote of the day: Martin Luther King, Jr.

Study in contrasts - who inspires you?

A study in contrasts:

In one part of the world, you have Ms. Diana Medley of Indiana, encouraging high school students to exclude gays from their high school prom.

And in India, you have men like Narayanan Krishnan, who says all people are the same.

Quick question - who inspires you?

Eartha Kitt on life

Click pic for larger view

I met the great Ms. Eartha Kitt and saw her perform.  We should all be so focused and driven - in the very best ways possible.  She was a force of nature.

Learns to read at 91, writes memoir at 98

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

How inspiring is this? Not only learns to read at 91, but writes a memoir at 98.

It's never too late kids. Never.

A brother stands up for his younger bro

I found this on another blog and had to share it.

The blog is by Kristen Wolf and it's called  "Up and Down We Go".

Yesterday I had a pair of brothers in my store. One was maybe between 15-17. He was a wrestler at the local high school. Kind of tall, stocky and handsome. He had a younger brother, who was maybe about 10-12 years old. Thy were talking about finding a game for the younger one, and he was absolutely insisting it be one with a female charcter. I don’t know how many of y’all play games, but that isn’t exactly easy. Eventually, I helped the brothers pick a game called Mirror’s Edge. The youngest was pretty excited about the game, and then he specifically asked me.. “Do you have any girl color controllers?”

I directed him to the only colored controllers we have which includes pink and purple ones. He grabbed the purple one, and informed me purple was his FAVORITE.

The boys had been taking awhile, so their father eventually comes in. He see’s the game, and the controller, and starts in on the youngest about how he needs to pick something different. Something more manly. Something with guns and fighting, and certainly not a purple controller. He tries to convince him to get the new Zombie game “Dead Island.” and the little boy just stands their repeating “Dad, this is what I want, ok?” Eventually it turns into a full blown argument complete with Dad threatening to whoop his son if he doesn’t choose different items.

That’s when big brother stepped in. He said to his Dad “It’s my money, it’s my gift to him, if it’s what he wants I’m getting it for him, and if your gonna hit anyone for it, it’s going to be me.”

Dad just gives his oldest son a strong stern stare down, and then leaves the store. Little brother is crying quietly, I walk over and ruffle his hair (yes this happened all in front of me.) I say “I’m a girl, and I like the color blue, and I like shooting games. There’s nothing wrong with what you like. Even if it’s different that what people think you should.”

Big brother then leans down, kisses little brother on the head, and says “Don’t worry dude.”

They check out and leave, and all I can think is how awesome big brother is, how sweet little brother is, and how Dad ought to be ashamed for trying to make his son any other way.

Emmanuel Kelly "Imagine" - X Factor Australia

And there you have it.

Period.

Paralyzed student, Austin Whitney, walks at graduation

Paralyzed student, Austin Whitney, walks at graduation.

Just in case you you're having a bad day, this guy shows how much you can overcome when you decide you have to.

Go Austin.

Inspiration 101 - what can happen when given a chance...

I love this story so much.

Last year my brother, after almost 50 years, was finally diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. No one ever cheered him on, no one ever offered to really help him. But he tries everyday. And he never gets off the phone without telling me he loves me.

Watching this just sends me over the edge. Talk about Inspiration 101.