Queer Equality Revolution: Begging For Cookies

June 10, 2009

Begging For Cookies

Re-Run from November 20, 2008

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The Bay Area Reporter mentions our tax protest today - see Gay Tax Revolt Grows.

Honestly, the Q community's response to PROP 8 and discrimination in general is tantamount to a child asking a parent for a cookie.

"May I have a cookie, please?"
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"No, not right now.
You may have one in 2028,
or maybe if you're really good by 2015"

I have a serious problem with that.

Since WHEN do we allow taxation without equality as U.S. citizens? Maybe it's my Italian heritage, since historically my people DON'T PLAY that noise with money and tax. If anyone thinks that DEMANDING what we ALREADY DESERVE is "bullying" or "social fascism" [a recent Idiocy-by-Newt Production] , then that is THEIR problem.

Are we really worried what Mrs. Kravitz will think?
Is our struggle for equality really just a popularity contest?
Isn't that what PROP 8 was, and why were we surprised when we found out we're NOT "popular" with the masses?

Regarding ASKING for what we have DESERVED SINCE BIRTH, our American BIRTHRIGHT, we are a bunch of [insert highly misogynistic and homophobic terms here]. I won't type these words here, but they are still part of our vernacular and seem quite fitting.

Begging for crumbs is for children; demanding equal rights to protect my family and children is NOT child's play. I don't care if you "like" me, but you damn well better respect myself, my spouse, and my children in U.S. law!

We need to grow up as U.S. citizens.

Music and Me

I started playing the piano around age 6; finished "Teaching Little Fingers To Play" with a teacher, then was self-taught using the U.S. School of Music Home Study Course until I studied at the University of Michigan, where I was fortunate to be on scholarship. At age 10 I volunteered as the church organist for weekday Mass. My first paying gig was at 13 as the organist for Sunday Mass at St. Julian Catholic Church. My brother gave me his electric bass and amp at 13 after I played it for a few days; by 14 I was gigging in a band.

I taught music in some form (piano, theory, bass guitar) from age 20-43. During that time I was extraordinarily passionate about Piano Pedagogy, Music Learning Theory, and Early Childhood Music & Movement, and used to consider teaching young children music through the piano to be an awesome responsibility, privilege, and joy.

I earned a BM in Piano Performance in '93 from U of M, where I was OBSESSED with 20th century music. My biggest accomplishment at Michigan was performing Charles Ives’ Concord Sonata from memory; it's not virtuostic per se, but it's extraordinarily 'complex' music. At 20 I taught bass at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and performed with the W.C.C. Jazz Orchestra and Afromusicology Ensemble. I owe my ENTIRE musical life to Dr. Morris J. Lawrence, Jr., Lynne Bartholomew, and Arthur Greene.

Professional highlights include performing for President Reagan, opening for Dizzy Gillespie, and playing in the Montreux-Detroit International Jazz Festival. In 2002 I presented my one-man show "Wild About Rhythm" at local elementary schools, and owned and operated a Piano Studio from my home in Kirkland, WA between 1996-2004. I briefly had 24 piano students in 2008, until my P.T.S.D. was severely triggered on 11.05.08. In my lifetime I have performed at over 200 weddings and/or wedding receptions, but I have had to stop because the irony is LITERALLY killing me.