If you listen to the stories millions of people were in the
Stonewall bar 41 years ago when the police raided it, the gay people
fought back and gay lib was started. Not true folks--it was a small,
dark sort of dingy bar that, when crowded, might have held 75 people and
gay lib started way before then. It was also 41 years ago this month
that Judy Garland died and to people of a certain age both the gay lib
movement and Judy garland will always be associated.

The story of the Stonewall rebellion is an interesting one and
many books have been written about it and makes the 'Tea Party' people
of today look like wimps. You might want to google the topic and read
what it was/is all about. The Gay Pride marches started the year after
that and 10 years ago Wilton Manors, a city abutting Fort Lauderdale,
had their first Stonewall Street Festival. About 8,000 attended that
year and last year the figure had grown to 25,000 and more than 30,000
are expected this year.

In addition to the Street Festival in June there is also a Gay
Pride celebration in March that is held in Fort Lauderdale. Both offer a
variety of events for people to participate in. This year, in the
Wilton Manor celebration, it will start at 11 AM with a parade and a
festival all along Wilton Drive having a dance area on both ends. There
will be street side bars, food courts and on the main stage there will
be local entertainers, climaxing with an appearance by Jennifer Holiday
who will certainly sing her hit song from "Dreamgirls", "And I Am
Telling You", and it is free.

The weather is set for a parade though it might just be a bit too
hot as, for the 19th day in a row, the temperatures are suppose to go
over 90 degrees but hopefully the rains will hold off until the evening.

Sadly, while all the fun and festivities are going on, I will be
home soaking my infected thumb and my foot and ankle which mysteriously
started to hurt Thursday evening for no reason that I know of and,
unfortunately I won't being seeing the doctor until tomorrow about the
latter.

About 10 days ago, being careless, I 'sliced' my thumb while
preparing a roast. It seemed to be healing fine until this past
Wednesday when it turned black and was throbbing. I did go to the doctor
on Thursday but instead of draining it, like I thought he would, he
told me to do basically what I had been doing!

I don't know what caused/is causing the pain in the ankle as I
didn't twist it or anything like that. I was sitting on the breezeway
and got up to throw out some junk mail and when I stood on the foot I
felt a jab of pain. I have spent all day soaking it in different
solutions of Epsom salts, apple cider vinegar, baking soda and other
google suggestions. I had Allen get me an Ace bandage when he was coming
over on Friday and have used that but, so far, nothing has really
helped. I do have an appointment with my primary on Monday and,
ironically, with my podiatrist just before that but I have no idea what
the latter does except clean feet!!!  Hopefully, between the two of
them, I can find out what is happening with the ankle and ease the pain.

I am almost sure Jennifer will perform in spite of my not being
there and everyone will have a good time. It is a day for all Gay
people, their parents, kids, siblings and friends to come out, celebrate
who they are and have fun!!

By the way for those of you who make fun
of drag queens you should know they were the first ones in the Stonewall
Inn who told the cops they weren't going to take it anymore and fought
back for the freedom of all!