the Angels of Light

From 1970 on, the white hot center of San Francisco's
radical gay culture was in theater: a madcap group called
"The Cockettes," lasted two years and then it split into
professionals and a free troup: "The Angels of Light."

"The Angels" would zoom towards their zenith in 1980,
then limp along until fizzling in 1984. But throughout an
eight year hay-day, this was SF's absolute non-plus ultra
for hilarious insanity, eye-popping costumes and sets,
psychological transformation and a unique fusion of stage
with its adoring audience/community. That became legend.

But the group wasn't only entertainment; it was political
and made a social statement too. A collective- one which
was about evenly divided between men and women-
it was largely gay or bisexual, but certainly not completely.
The Angels were also a free theater who lived communally,
practiced vegetarianism, non-monogamy and resisted
defiantly many, many offers to sell out or go commercial.

I was part of the group- one of the principle performers
and the scriptwriter of two hit epic shows between 1974
to 1980. It was an amazing time. Harvey Milk certainly
symbolized the political vanguard of the City. We were
the artistic counterparts with a few occasional crossovers
into Harvey's sphere. The two ran side by side.

A wild, oftentimes anarchistic theater, which staged giant
fairy tales on an opera-sized scale, a world of puppets, masks,
acid fantasies, tap-dancing and  mime, ballet and high camp
all fused in art that blew apart accepted rules of 20th century
theater. Smashing the concept of "the unity of time and space"
propelled viewers into a magical world of beauty, imagination
and outrageousness, simultaneously communicating the utter
fabulous-ness of being gay and liberated and free.

But it was surely a doomed world. It would last only as long
as the post-hippie "Glitter Age" could fend off the undertow
of a country lurching from prosperity to austerity. It was also
undermined by the 1980 election of Ronald Reagan and the
horror of AIDS in 1981. The arrival of computers transformed
the world from a personal/handmade culture with the Internet
and, of course, there was incredible damage and self-damage
through drug and alcohol abuse. As a consequence, many fell
by the wayside. Now only a few survive.

Still, like the cabaret world of Berlin in the 1920s, and the 60s
era between the starting of the Haight Ashbury counterculture
and Woodstock in 1969- (an event which followed Stonewall
by only a scant month)- this explosive, radical, wild, gay world
existed full-blown. To be "out" and visible initiated a process
that changed the nation and helped change the world, not only
for gay people, but also for the Intersex folk and in other ways.

It connected to the growing concern for ecology, the recognition
of other spiritual traditions (Native American, those from India-
yoga, meditation) and healthful living. It accompanied a move
back to the land- a migration of marijuana farmers from SF north-
which affected local legislation and changed California politics.
It affected Statewide ballot initiatives and was part of the process
which defeated Right Wing maniacs when they tried to persecute
gay teachers or quarantine people infected with HIV.

Progressive/revolutionary Art and politics meshed in a fusion
not seen before or since. Boomeranging out of the repressed 50s,
fueled by the 60s youth movement, it all got traction in the 70s,
brought down a corrupt President through Watergate and went
on to address further causes.

I look back with some pride when I think of the many brave souls
who took risks or accepted voluntary sacrifice for a greater good.   
In that respect, I know LGBT people in the Gay Revolution were
in the forefront- not simply motivated by selfish concerns, but by
an awareness of human rights and civil equality for all people-
irregardless of race, religion, sex, gender or gender preference.
And that's what it's all about. Or so say I.

W blows it again.

What is there to say? W is going to speak
at a messianic organization which is about
converting Jews to Christianity in order
to bring about the second coming of Jesus
and so, trigger, the End of Days.

So that is what he believes. And disgusting
as it is, it also explains much of his conduct.
I just wonder: why is this man not in prison
for war crimes, crimes against humanity,
and, also, betraying his oath of office.

THE ACLU joins my new work!

I'm proud to announce that James Gilliam,
the Director of the ACLU in Southern California
is going to contribute to my anthology-in-process.

James is a lawyer. He represented the family
of Sean Walsh, a bullied teen who killed himself
because he was so harassed for being gay.

Thanks to his work, the ACLU has revitalized
its attention regarding the bullying of LGBT teens.
I'm honored that James is adding his voice
to this project.

The conversion of a Zionist

My beloved friend, Esther, was born in about 1923 and grew up in a non-secular Jewish home. The family was politically radical, and, so, as a young woman, Esther was a fierce supporter of Israel. Later on, in fact, two of her three children lived on kibbutzes. I am the same age. (Incidentally, a Quaker- not a Jew).

Esther earned a doctorate in Philosophy from the University of California in the late 1940s. She was one of the finest, most ethical, people I've ever known. Over time, Esther's enthusiasm for Israel turned to dismay and, finally, disgust over its militarism and suppression of Palestinians. As someone deeply righteous, she was appalled by the transformation of what had begun as an idealistic country into a fascist regime, as the great Argentinian hero- a world famous humanitarian, Jacobo Timmerman, wrote in his 1982 book: THE LONGEST WAR. 

What Esther came to see- reluctantly- was that Israel had fulfilled the terrible prophesy- "the abused become abusers." By the last Israeli invasion and destruction of Lebanon, it had lost her sympathy. Indeed, she told me, Israel had lost its moral right to exist.

With Iran serious about giving up its nuclear program, we see Netanyahu's sullen thuggish resentment at a growing international move to boycott Israel as the US ends sanctions, on Iran. I think it's time to take a careful look at the facts. If there is ever to be Mid-East peace, it must absolutely entail justice for Palestinians, a two-state solution; the abandoning of illegal settlements (including many that have been built in the Occupied West Bank); the establishing of a Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem; and many other things, such as their right to control the water on their land.    

I don't speak as an enemy of Israel but, rather, as one interested in peace and justice. My hope is that the Israelis wake up while there is still time, throw Netanahyu out on his ass, and get serious about negotiations. Everyone has an ancient book, which promises them cosmic rights: Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, etc.- everyone can claim justification for what they want. But justice delayed is justice denied, and if Israel continues along this tragically self-defeating path, it guarantees a terrible fate.

The" Black" Taj Mahal

For hundreds of years a legend existed of a black Taj Mahal.
It was said that Shah Jahan, who has the Taj Mahal built
as a memorial to his beloved Queen, Mumtaz, had planned
to have an identical black one built across the Yamura River.
But he was overthrown by his son before he could proceed
and that is why it wasn't built, some said.

The Taj Mahal sits in an enclosed garden overlooking the river.
On the far side, there was nothing, just scrub land, essentially.
But some years ago, archeologists found the remains of a huge
basin, which once contained water. It's about 100 yards long
and shaped a bit like a an oblong. It's just up the river bank.

This ornamental pool was built at the same time as the Taj.
It was positioned to be in a formal garden, of course, since
the Mughals so loved their gardens and flowers. This pool
was placed so that, each month, the full moon would reflect
the Taj in its waters, but it would appear to be black, of course.

And so, there it is- the legendary black Taj Mahal- constructed
not out of marble, but of moonlight and water.

Beware of UMPQUA Bank!

Worst bank ever!

They cancelled my credit card and ATM card
when I was in India last year., despite
weeks of assuring me they wouldn't do it.

I had to borrow money to get home.

Once home, I called CEO, Ray Davis,
in Portland. A true classic, he asked me,
"You got back to this country safely...
so what's the problem?"

I closed my account at once, of course.
But they will not stop sending me emails.
I've asked 10 times. They will not stop.

Worst bank ever. Beware.

Art imitarting life inimating Art

What an amazing day.

Since 1980- yes- since 1980, I have been writing
a novel titled SWAN OF THE GODS.

It is inspired by one of the great reclining nudes
painted by Amedeo Modigliani (the one at the Met)
and concerns how the painting influences the life
of the model and her family over a sixty year period.

Paradoxically, I know the painting extremely well.
My parents collected art; the bought things from
Klaus and Dolly Perls, who owned the Modigliani.
I used to go visit the painting and Klaus and Dolly
are characters in my book.

One of the major sub-themes concerns Nazi plunder
of art from Jews trying to get out of 1930s Germany.

Just now, I read that a cache of 1500 works of great
art, including some that I write about in my novel (!)
has been discovered in Germany. It's top international
news today.

What a coincidence! Life imitates art imitating life.
Or art imitates Life imitating art.

Go figure.




 

SHOCKING REVELATION ABOUT WEIGHT LOSS!!!

I really have nothing to share, I'm just trying to see
if using the buzz words I find all over Google News
really does get attention.

I guess I could also have said something lurid like,
KATE CAUGHT SNEAKING OUT ON WILLIAM!!!
or maybe even, KIM TELLS KANYE TO GET OUT!!

This seems to be what we have come to. Eeeek!

Barney Frank, Brenda Knight and me!

Okay, this is really how my Halloween Day began:
Barney Frank called me at 9 am... for the fourth time.

He got the 20 questions, which my fabulous publisher,
Brenda Knight, conjured up and asked me to email him
for his interview for my anthology on LGBT activism
to be brought out by Cleis Press.

He's going to tape his replies, have the tape transcribed,
printed up, and then send it to me to include in the book.

At 10 am I call Brenda. She takes my call. I tell her that
Barney got her questions. We have a ball, laughing,
strategizing and planning all sorts of creative ventures.

Seriously, folks, this is true. This happened. This is my life.
The most amazing participants in the book. The most amazing
publisher, who actually communicates and guides and inspires
and makes things happen.

Ask me if I'm a slaphappy guy. Go on. Just ask me.

A public reading by Adrian Brooks

Having not read in public since 1996, I've decided to come out of work-oriented seclusion and will be appearing at the San Francisco Library (Main Branch) in the Gay and Lesbian Center. The event will be at 6pm on Thursday, November 14th. Please feel welcome.

The Sixties and Now

So many people see the 60s as the time of "peace, love and flowers." Well, it's true. Partly. There was peace; there was love; and there were flowers. I know. I was part of all that. And many aspects of it were beautiful (even if Woodstock was a very muddy, rainy occasion). But there was also a war and race riots and killings. And the US was fractured by that war in Vietnam.

In some ways, the issues which divided us as a nation back then were articulated by the split arising from the passage of Voting Rights Legislation, which finally extended the Vote to African-Americans. LBJ managed that, a Democrat. Ever since, the Republicans have been the party of white people and many whites- a visible slice of the electorate-  have gotten more and more reactionary.

In 2013, what we have is a replay of the 60s, in a way. Only this time it's more serious. Partly, it's because the country isn't as rich as it was; it's in debt. Once again, we have confusing foreign wars and a serious divide in the country, which takes form in the fractious debate over social issues. In the 60s, it was ending the war, civil rights and, to a degree, women's rights. Now it's the economy, not so thinly veiled racist attacks on an African-American President, the issue of guns and gay rights.

I admit the fact that we have an African-American President is a step forward; and the fact that gay people have the right to marry in 14 (soon to be 15) states is another major accomplishment. But what I see is the similarity between the eras, as well as some disturbing parallels.

Despite the real gains that women have made, they still earn less than men; despite the solid gains, gay people like myself have made, we're still not accorded full equality. Yes, it is coming. But why, I wonder, is the country still stalked by ugly racism? Why are people still even arguing over guns and abortion? No one seems to care about marijuana any more but a woman's right to choose- indeed, even a woman's ability to vote is imperiled in Texas, which has  set voter ID laws almost impossibly high, with the effect of disenfranchising 24% of the women voters. And that is another Republican effort to suppress the changing demographics of the country and ignore the facts of a nation which is no longer under the control of straight white men.

When people are afraid they behave irrationally. They become fearful. They get angrier. I think we can agree we see people feeling more raw. And for good reason. We're seeing ecological destruction on a scale never before witnessed. It seems as overwhelming or incomprehensible as the Plague must have seemed to people in the Middle Ages. The fact that there are clear reasons gets buried in the bewilderment of what has to be done to change; no one, including myself, seems able to keep up with the changes that need to be made.

I see one strange aspect in the tension between people. Dialogue is becoming shrill; polarized; underscored by "positions"- people wanting to hear their own opinions re-enforced rather than deal with facts or make rational decisions based on facts. On the Republican side, politically, the moderate middle has disappeared; the Dems aren't quite as divided but there is still a great sense of anger. I'm not sure where it comes from. Is it a sense of anger at the promise of a nation going unfulfilled? In the 60s, when the country was rich, my peers and I felt that the country had betrayed its principles (in Vietnam etc). Now it seems that understanding our collective history is made doubly- or triply- challenging by decades of blunders and over-reactions.

When Reagan was first elected, my father spoke of the country going through 40 year cycles. What he meant was that the country had, essentially, been governed by Democrats from 1930 to 1980. I believe that the swing is the other way now: that Obama's election and the disintegration of the GOP (which appears to be at the beginning of a search for identity through what looks to be/come a nasty bloodletting) will be a long process, possibly lasting several decades.

But do we have decades in a country where children are killed by guns every day and where we face catastrophic debts? Where the environment is showing us ecological ruin has consequences? I hate to be a pessimistic- I am an optimist by nature- but I'm afraid I'm doubtful that there can be progress when such shredding is underway. I know it makes me feel nervous, that I anticipate harder times. It makes me sad. I don't know what to do so I write. But that is hardly much to speak of.

Byyyyyeeee Republicans.

Call it schadenfreude, but I love hearing John Boehner trying to put the best face on just having been publicly castrated while he got nothing, n-o-t-h-i-n-g, in exchange for trying to blackmail the nation with a manufactured crisis. Let me see if I've got it right and please help me out if I missed anything: Obama whooped Romney's ass. The Supreme Court upheld Affordable Care and Marriage Equality. The GOP just sank 20 points in polls to an all-time low of 24% with midterms only a year away. The Dems stood firm; the GOP is in Meltdown; Syria agreed to get rid of WMD without US intervention; Iran is looking serious about nuclear talks without the US rushing to war; we're pulling out of Iraq and Afghanistan; the economy is healing; Hilary looks unstoppable; right wing fanatics like Ted Cruz drive the GOP... and Boehner says he's pleased to have "fought the good fight"...? Meanwhile, 75% of voters under 30 support gay marriage- an issue certain to permanently horrify the hardcore Religious Right and Tea Party- while the GOP has funded the Government only until February, which means they may be willing to fist-fuck the world economy again. So? what's the good news here for them?

Another great patriot signs on: Evan Wolfson

I'm honored to be in contact with the contributors to my work-in-progress. Actually, "my" is the wrong pronoun; it's "our" anthology- the composite of a collaborative effort, one which pays tribute to- and builds on the shoulders of- millions of LGBT people.

Today, a great American stated his willingness to contribute. Evan Wolfson- "the father of the marriage equality movement"- is the founder and president of the organization Freedom to Marry. He's been in the forefront of this immensely important push for equal human rights, which found its affirmation in the recent Supreme Court ruling.

The quality of the folk who are coming into this project just astounds me. Writing is a lonely- making calling. It's the nature of the beast. But editing a collective work/anthology allows me to see who else is out there. I'm dazzled. Just knocked out. It's an amazing experience.

My thanks to one and all. 

 

Barney Frank! and Charlotte Bunch!

Okay, this post proves that we're never too old for amazing surprises.

Barney Frank called again yesterday. Not only is he assisting my book project, I have a date with him in Boston on Friday, November 22.

So fifty years to the day that JFK was killed, I get to meet another extraordinary statesman who changes American lives for the better.

Aside from my joy, I'm astonished that anyone as busy and engaged as Barney is thoughtful enough to make the time for someone like me.

But yesterday was even more amazing.

The great human rights activist, Charlotte Bunch, has appointed a wonderful person to contribute a chapter on her.

I'm so proud of the LGBT/Intersex tribe. So moved by the contributors to this work. I keep learning who we are and I love it.

More to follow.

 

What is Treason?

To the best of my knowledge, one capital crime in the US- indeed, a capital crime or one meriting life imprisonment in almost every nation that I know of- is: treason during a time of war.

It makes sense. To fundamentally betray one's country during war is an act striking at every citizen, ultimately. It could even equate with the attempted murder of everyone.

As no one questions the fact that the US is at war, why, I wonder, is no one suggesting that the GOP in Congress is not potentially committing treason? After all, this shutdown affects our national security; it impedes the ability of the intelligence-gathering necessary to combat terrorism; it affects the paying of some branches of the military, as I understand it; it surely threatens our financial stability and raises the specter of US economic recovery and the health of the entire global infrastructure; it's also damaging the smooth functioning of vital social services.

So I'm curious. They say if A=B, and B=C, C=Z. So if treason during war is a major criminal offense, and if the US is at war and the GOP is responsible for shutting down Government, isn't that treason?

Just asking.

Pandemics

In her Pulitzer Prize-winning book on the Black Death-
A DISTANT MIRROR- historian Barbara Tuchman
writes about how people acted when plague killed
half the population of Europe in the 14th century.

Since no one knew how the disease was carried-
the idea of fleas on rats carrying fatal infection being
beyond all conception- people had all sorts of theories
about what was going on. But there was no logic to it.
At the time, life was mainly lived in towns or villages.
People didn't travel much; roads were dangerous.
Nations as such didn't exist. So everything was local.

The plague was beyond reason, impossible to fathom.
Medievalism was shattered... Absolutism, too. After all,
if God was all powerful and loving, how could He allow
such horror? And if God wasn't all powerful and loving,
what was the point of the Church? Or of existence?

Whole towns died while, next door, another town was
spared. Some became super-religious; others turned
to depravity and orgy; some towns walled themselves
in, others didn't. Every sort of superstition was present
and conspiracy theories (e.g., of witchcraft), as well as
altruism, selfishness, panic and serenity.

It's said, "The sleep of reason produces monsters."
The plague ended belief in the Church. Schism
followed and, then, the birth of the modern psyche,
one shaped by skepticism, science and rationalism.

The Age of Reason  advocated that people could
govern themselves. So the "triumph of democracy"
followed the American and French Revolutions--
thereby ending both civic and religious authority.

Now we're seeing something not unlike the insanity
which accompanied the plague. The paralysis of our
Congress raises critical issues re: the social contract;
the assumptions we make about what democracy is;
the degree of stress we're willing or able to tolerate;
and what happens if "the center cannot hold."

2013 is looking a lot like 1326 when the plague hit.

Happy publishing news! (Imagine)

They say good things come in threes, and so it is-
an almost impossible run of luck for any writer-
so this post is to share the good news.

1- Cleis Press, a fine, independent press in Berkeley
    is publishing my anthology on LGBT activism.
    Super editor/publisher Brenda Knight ROCKS!

2- I've just been accepted as a contributing writer
    for the Huffington Post, which I admit has been
    a dream of mine for years.

3- The Pulitzer Prize winning "Point Reyes Light"
    is publishing a series of articles I'm writing about
    great people I've known in Inverness, California.

After decades of publishing world trial, I now feel
affirmed but I urge striving writers not to give up.
There really are angels out there.

Putting a face on it

Shutting down the Government sounds so big-
it IS big- huge- so how do we put a face on it?

How's this...? If this happens, funding is cut off
for cameras/videos at the National Zoo in DC.

Among many things, such instruments watch
the baby panda bear to be sure that it's alright.

With a monitor, the baby panda could need aid
but might not get it in time, and, so, might die.

Thank you, Republicans in Congress. Thanks.

"Meet Sexual Compulsives In Your Area!!!"

Of all the crazy things! I get this phishing email titled:
MEET SEXUAL COMPULSIVES IN YOUR AREA!
It's a link to some site I can pay to join and hook up, etc.

Hey! I live in San Francisco. I repeat: SAN  FRANCISCO
If I want to meet sexual compulsives, I don't have to pay
for no website. All I have to do is step outside my door.

There they are. Thousands of them. Tens of thousands.
And judging by today's crowd at the Folsom Street Fair,
hundreds of thousands.

What more could any potential sexual compulsive need?

Pure and simple gratitude

Something good happened for me yesterday. Actually,
several things, all concerning what I'll very grandly call
"my career." Every creative person lives in the hope-
or survives on the dream- of affirmation. Somehow,
we must endure it when it doesn't arrive. And mainly,
"success" doesn't come, so we have to bear that too. 

Yet, sometimes- perhaps only a few times in a lifetime?-
there is a moment of affirmation. And now it's happened.
But, strangely- and to my surprise- I don't feel the way
I thought I would. I mean, it's not about me; it's about
the Work. The work took over my life. So I suppose
it's also about Life, how I see it, what I wanted from it,
and what I hoped it would mean.

Moreover, in some larger sense, it's also about the things
underscoring work and life. For me, it's a sense of values-
the values of my own generation, the Sixties generation,
of which I remain so proud: our defiant opposition to war,
our willingness to confront racism, sexism and to side
on the side of consciousness rather than materialism.

Therefore, I see that this was never about me, not at all;
it was always about the mysterious ways in which Life
shapes us and reveals Destiny... so I feel only grateful
to have had this life, this opportunity to be used by Life
and to be part of something contributing to what I'll call
a Greater Good, insofar as Art is always about honoring
human values, human beings.