Enchanted Night
Rainbow Roundtable is an wonderful group for LGBTQ2S elders, hosted by my partner Travis. The 2S part of the acronym refers to 2 spirited folks. Travis puts a lot of time and energy to provide an exceptional service for the very people who paved the way for us to express ourselves in broad daylight. His program alternates between featuring presenters and activities, like his wonderful movie nights in which free pizza is provided by different sponsors like Panago Pizza.
He invited me to the group on a night where we went to see a play called Bed and Breakfast at the Arts Theatre Club, travelling in one of Enchanted Limousines luxurious rides. In my mind, he is truly successful at making his participants feel special.
We had been quarreling quite a bit leading up to the event but when I compromised by showing up for him, a profound healing process began. He was moved that I would put my ego aside for him and watching this play about a gay couple like us had resonated on many levels with our own struggles.
I really admire how the duo of actors, Mark Crawford and Paul Dunn, took on a slew of characters in addition to their own. Part 1 was confusing as I learned all the characters names and mannerisms but part 2 made it extremely worthwhile to go through the trouble. With television, everything is made so easy and I appreciated the show for broadening my horizon. I was amazed at the craft of our two actors, all the work that went into it for us to enjoy ourselves.
It was great to hold my partner’s hand witnessing the historic oppression that some of us LGBT people are still facing.
They are truly a wonderful bunch who I am grateful to see every time. These inter-generational bonds I treasure to the utmost, there is a wisdom that comes with age but mostly, it’s a different perspective that is thought provoking.
While we didn't quite get the turnout we were hoping for, it came close and it was perfect for the #SEVEN77 challenge.
Join me on my Seven77 journey organized by @natanmars, participating is simple:
Sent out a tweet including a video of you doing 7 push-ups or any other action and include one reason why you think Steem is awesome. You can also include what day you are at in your 77 day streak like: 12/77
The days do not need to be back to back.
Add: @NathanMars7 #Steem and #SEVEN77 to your tweet.
One thing I have noticed is with all of the hard work that goes into the Rainbow Roundtable, Travis can sometimes be like the nail sticking out of our recreation tapestry. The logistics involved in providing such a variety of events are above average and so, he gets mixed reactions from a staff of programmers used to running simpler programs. However, with the help and support of the incredible Diana Vanderveen, an accomplished burner, his vision can come to fruition without a hitch, well... almost!
I mentioned 2 spirited folks earlier, included by this term are North American indeginous peoples and also the Hijra of India, which very few know about here. I think it’s wonderful that the Roundhouse makes the effort of including these people in our acronym especially since we live on Coast Salish unceded territory.
Travis made his own video of the event, some of the footage comes back from the previous one I included but he put more time fine tuning it in the editing bay.
What a joy to be involved in this experience. We are in the process of making a documentary for the Queer Elders Prom which is coming up. I’m not gonna lie, it’s getting down to the wire but I’m sure we’ll do a good job.
Thanks for stopping by, I would love to know how you’re getting involved with élideras in your community. Please let me know in the comments.
Take care everyone!
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Resonate with me
Loving your energy and enthusiasm brotha and so happy to be connected with you
Thank you very much, when I get down, you lift me up!
Such a cool post, @edouard :) So lovely that you both are finding your ways back to each other after a quarrelsome phase through the process of letting go of egos and through opening up to each other <3 The play seems really awesome, too !
You're making a doco of the prom? :D That's so neat! I definitely will look forward to that, for sure :)
.... as for getting involved with the elders, I have to admit that I have not done so in my locality. It's difficult to connect for me, since I wasn't born in Australia and most of the 'elder' figures that I feel connection to .... they are not here :(
My partner always does his best to check with himself to embody the will of his heart. He often feels misunderstood but he found in me someone who gives him space to allow self discovery. I am very happy that he expresses that he feels the room for growth that I give him. He truly pays it in kind constantly uplifting me with his sense of humour. Together, just like the guys in the play, we get to define our own normal.
One of my friends is a granny magnet, I’m sure she would find one anywhere she goes but yeah, inter-generational bonds are kind of a privilege. Without my classes with the kids, I may not hang out with a lot of them. That’s why I’m really grateful for all these opportunities to work at different levels in the community!
Thank you for your kind words, you are a great friend!
i haven't been following #seven77 recently so i don't really know whats going on.
but that's a nice limo 😆