I often feel like there is either a ton of stuff going on, or nothing going on. Just like last year, the spring is the kick-off for drag season. (I really hadn't thought about it, but the beginning of Drag Race, is more or less the unofficial beginning of Shaunna Rai's drag season.)
Last week, was the official start of Shaunna Rai's Happy Hours at Blackstones. It was also the start of two new jobs for me. Well, one new job, and being hired at a second. So, Friday night, we decided to go out to celebrate.
I had a few drinks. Chad and his man came, and hung out for a while. Then, they left. And, then, apparently, all hell broke loose. Dan asked me if I wanted another drink, and I accepted. I took a couple of sips of the new drink. And, then, everything else I know, until I got home, I'm relying on hearing from other people. Apparently, at some point, after the second sip of my drink, I lost consciousness. I fell off my stool, and ended up on the floor. My eyes rolled up in my head, and I was babbling incoherently. I got up and back on a stool, and then, within minutes, I was back on the floor again, unconscious. JR, the bartender gave me a glass of water (which I do remember) that I took a sip of, and then, BAM! Back on the floor, unconscious. The next thing I remember, was coming home, Dan asking me if I was okay. And, my going to sleep. The next morning, the only thing I could think of was that I now knew what it felt like to be an abused person. When I fell, I apparently, fell on some steps. With my face. And my arm. I'm still sore in both spots, and it's been almost a week.
Tonight, is the first of a few events for Pride Fundraisers. The next one, will be on Friday, at Blackstones. Tonight, though, is at Styxx. I was grateful, that today, after my training, I didn't have shadowing at the second job. I got to come home and take a little bit of a nap, before the girls started getting ready. Shaunna and Vanila will be serving up shots at Styxx, while some of the heads of the Pride Committee will be guest bartending, and Cherry Lemonade will be DJing. And, it will all conclude with a show, around 11pm tonight.
For me, tonight, is both a good thing, and a curse. It's great, because it's something that I feel strongly about. We need Pride. I've lived too many years, just being the gay guy, who didn't acknowledge that there was anything even a tiny bit good about being gay. Last year was my first Portland Pride. And, given that I'm a Portland-er, I feel that given everything that is going on with the old committee and creating a whole new committee to chair Pride this year, I need to do what I can. So, I'm already promoting any kind of fundraiser that I can. And, I'm going to be as much of a part of it as I can be. Whether that means that I'm posting facebook posts, or blogging about it, or attending events. Even if I have to be at work at 8:30am, and ready to learn CPR/First Aid (again) tomorrow.
I guess, what it comes down to, is that I've never really been able to advocate for anything, or anyone, other than clients that I've worked with, doing the social work thing. And, I've always wanted, and believed that I was meant to advocate for more. I should be able to stand up for gay rights, or Pride, or AIDS research, or whatever the hell I want to. Now, I have both the outlets and the abilities to do so. So, I need to really take advantage of it.
So, if you have time, and money, to do so, consider coming out to Styxx in Portland tonight, or Blackstones Portland, on Friday. Or just donate what you can to Pride Portland, at: http://www.gofundme.com/prideportland
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