7: Blogs | Out On The Town

Mom power

News started to spread about a week ago at my youngest son's school that one of the moms was getting a baseball team together. She has received the okay from the Spokane Youth Sports Association to build a team with kids who don't necessarily live in the same neighborhood, but who attend the same school. Our guy is not terribly interested in sports, but he hasn't stopped talking about the possibility of playing second base. To my added delight, he pumped his fists with joy when I said I'd like to help coach. ( Full post )

On the job decisions

Molly started a new job today. Her first official nursing job, having graduated in December and passed the state licensing boards last month. It's an exciting thought for our family, to be moving away from such a tight budget. She has been in school all four years that we have been together. ( Full post )

Step by step may be key to marriage equality

The tulips are finally blooming, lighting up front yards with vibrant bursts of color. Warmer days have kids prancing through the neighborhood. Everything feels more awake and alive. ( Full post )

Greek islanders are true lesbians

Readers ask such great questions. My editor took a call recently in which an elderly gentleman who follows the "Out on the Town" column phoned to ask why I use the term gay to refer to women as well as men. He has always thought that gay was preserved for men, while lesbian was the proper term for homosexual women. ( Full post )

Vino! A fundraiser

Those of you who planned to round out the traditional two weeks of Pride events in June with an evening of wine and beer tasting ought to think again. The Spokane AIDS Network's Stem and Stein fundraiser has been bumped up this year to May 16. ( Full post )

Bus tax affects LGBT teens directly

John Olsen, a tireless volunteer for Odyssey Youth Center (as well as several other organizations in town), wrote a message recently to his extensive network of friends and colleagues advocating for a "yes" vote on the transit tax. A special election on May 20 will ask Spokane County voters whether or not to continue a sales tax that goes directly to Spokane Transit Authority's operating budget. Of $100 spent, 30 cents gets funneled to STA. ( Full post )

Experts explain new DP law

Short notice, I know, but a forum planned for tomorrow afternoon may be of great interest to couples registered, or thinking of registering, as domestic partners. The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) is sponsoring a panel of experts to speak about the additions to the partnership law that go into effect on June 12. The forum will be at the Gonzaga School of Law, Barbieri Courtroom, on April 25 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. ( Full post )

Can't resist bowling

Some months ago I mentioned the monthly LGBT bowling night and ... I'm doing it again. It sounds so fun. Really what I'm aiming for is to light a fire under my own butt to get out there and knock out a few frames. ( Full post )

Gnoshing for AIDS

Spokane's fourth annual Dining Out for Life is this Thursday, April 24. The event features 14 local restaurants that will donate 20 percent of your food and beverage bill to the Spokane AIDS Network for services provided to people living with HIV and AIDS. ( Full post )

Stimulate the nonprofit sector

Should only be about a month now until many of us receive a $600 windfall from the feds. President Bush's economic stimulus plan has many of us, I'm sure, dreaming of big screen TVs, a weekend getaway or, as many people did the last time unexpected refunds came our way, paying down debt. ( Full post )

Free screening of 'For the Bible Tells Me So'

The movie grabbed second place for best documentary at the 2008 Spokane International Film Festival, but if you missed seeing "For the Bible Tells Me So," never fear. The Alliance, Spokane Falls Community College's gay and lesbian student group, is screening the film this Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. in the Student Union Building, Lounges AB. Admission is free. ( Full post )

The Muppets according to a 10-year-old

Oh man, I can't resist. Just as I finished the previous post, my youngest son asked, "Hey, Jill, have you ever watched The Muppet Show?" He must have temporarily forgotten that the reason we have Netflixed several DVDs of the classic TV show for him is because of our fondness for it. ( Full post )

Appears that Pride has a slogan

It seems the Stonewall News is back in production, with a new issue on the stands. I'm fixin' to find myself a print edition this weekend, though it is available on the web, too, at stonewallnews.net. ( Full post )

Keeping mum for LGBT teens

If you come across a teenager on Friday, April 25, who is unwilling to speak it might just be someone who is observing the national Day of Silence (DOS). Started by GLSEN and sustained by youth across the nation, the Day of Silence is intended to bring attention to the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies. ( Full post )

STA driver shows off mad skills

The April 11 column is done and turned in to my editor and I'm done thinking about Thomas Beatie. So ... onto things closer to home. ( Full post )

True to form, ERW commits blunder

Still trying to get my thoughts gathered about the pregnant man. Meanwhile, here's something that's been nagging me. ( Full post )

He's pregnant!?

As I'm sure many of you can imagine, recent news of a pregnant trans man has me filled with all kinds of competing emotions. Thomas Beatie relates his story in Labor of Love at advocate.com and in the March 26 print edition of The Advocate. Though he had sex reassignment surgery to transition from female to male, Beatie elected to keep his ovaries and uterus. His wife is unable to bear children after a hysterectomy necessitated by severe endometriosis. With their family-owned business in a stable financial condition and a move from Hawaii to Oregon, the Beatie's were ready to start a family. He was the natural choice to carry the baby. ( Full post )

More billboards in the works

Though a bit difficult to read, with the small print and overly fancy font, the billboards unveiled last spring featuring LGBTA Spokanites were fun to see. Paid for by OutSpokane, the signs were revealed gradually, a new phrase added each week until eventually they read: ( Full post )

Those precious Onesies

My best buddy has the cutest belly, otherwise she has hardly gained any weight. My emotions stayed in check, though I have only snuck quick glances at the baby growing inside. I haven't yet asked to feel while he's kicking. ( Full post )

The moment of reckoning

Well, the pool wasn't warm enough, but our youngest son braved it anyway. He lasted about two minutes while Molly and I sat on the patio of my dad's North Hollywood home and basked in the sun that tanned our necks. Eventually, we changed into short-sleeved shirts and took a walk through the neighborhood. Oh, my word, the flora is amazing. It's spring in full force and Southern California is green. ( Full post )