Gayly Fourthward!

cover image by Jason Stout

Or as that line from The Boys in the Band goes, "Give me Librium or give me Meth!" We are conundrums, we gay Americans. And nothing like a national holiday to remind us of what we have and have not, when it comes to full citizenship and rights in this country we love so much.

How will you celebrate this Fourth of July? Here are a few replies from some friends:

"Reading Frederick Douglass' 4th of July speech before physically celebrating the Supreme Court's Lawrence v. Texas decision."
Matt Korn, Equality Across America

"Visiting the oil disaster on the Gulf Coast to deliver relief and clean-up supplies on behalf of Austin citizens."
Abe Louise Young, poet/activist/journalist

"I will be celebrating the Declaration of Independence which states: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.'*  *(unless they are Gay and then they can be second class citizens who can not marry the person they love or serve their beloved country openly in the military). GO USA!!!"
Stephen Rice, Co-Host OutCast, KOOP 91.7FM

"I will be rocking my Pride Socks!"
Rachel Smith, CEO, Pride Socks

"I think I'm going to go check out my friend Will Heath's new party Glitterbeast - Hiroshimashup at the ND, and maybe try and see some fireworks! I also plan on slathering myself in glitter, and eating hot dogs. AMERICA, FUCK YEAH!"
Angeliska Polacheck, blogger/party promotin' diva (Gadjo Disko, Azz Everywhere)

"I'll probably be working! hehehehee... BORING!"
Ceci Gratias, Site Street

"I will be celebrating 4th of July at Oilcan Harry's. Chris Cox will DJ'ing and he absolutely amazing!"
Larry Davis, Oilcan Harry's

"I will be actively avoiding any large gathering of drunk people, gay or otherwise."
Stephen MacMillan Moser, Style Avatar, The Austin Chronicle

"Celebrating my 12 year anniversary with my partner on a mini-vacation to small Texas towns to terrify the locals with our gay sensibilities, then taking my niece and nephew to the Witte Museum to dazzle them with their favorite uncles' gay sensibilities."
Rob Faubion, Publisher, Austin On Stage Magazine

"I have no plans but if I had a choice I'd be making out on my balcony with an adorable girl and creating our own fireworks."
Tamicka Phillips, Editrix, Emos Anonymous Zine

"I will be with family at a reunion on the 4th of July.  And that's not because it is the 4th of July.  It just so happens that the reunion is during the same weekend.  I think I'll wear my red, white and blue Obama shirt."
e.m.t.

"I'll be celebrating old-school: with a small BBQ in the backyard Saturday, and then shakin' it at the Glitterbeast HiroshimaMASHUP over at the ND!"
Nakia

"Watching fireworks, eating veggie dogs, and being thankful my State Representative, Valinda Bolton, is a champion for equality in Texas."
Lindsay Marsh, Field Organizer, Equality Texas

"Flying with my partner to the Mississippi Coast to help redefine the phrase, 'Family Picnic'"
Lynn Yeldell, Financial Advisor, Pottinger, Chirogianis & Yeldell, UBS Financial Services, Inc.

"I am going to be wearing my patriotism as if it were a pelt from a beast that seemed intangible on the hunt, earned on the backs of many, the dull spectrum of identities represented in the best opportunity of a country we got going on the planet."
Jason Rosen, Currently, no affiliation

"My partner and I are doing our patriotic duty by grilling, working on the yard and playing with our dogs."
Paul Scott, Executive Director, AIDS Services of Austin

"I will be gathering strength for the continuing work of allgo on behalf of Queer People of Color by eating veggie BBQ and reading The Gilda Stories by Jewel Gomez."
Rose Pulliam, MSW, Co-Director, allgo, a queer people of color organization

"I’m sitting on the [Galveston] Seawall with my family and kids watching fireworks over the ocean… that happily does not yet have oil in it! A perfect July 4th!!!"
Cliff Redd, Executive Director, The Long Center

"I'll be sifting through xeroxes from the Leather Archives and Museum in Chicago, thinking about our sex radical ancestors. Freak freely, Austin! I miss your face!"
Andy Campbell, U.S. citizen/sex historian/Gay Place blogger

"I plan on waking up late with my GF. Heading to the fireworks stand to load up on fireworks. Plotting shenanigans. Go have early dinner. Then off to blow shit up literally and figuratively, Hopefully water is involved as my ass will be covered in sweat from the 100 degree bullshit. I think Monofonus Press is having a big party that night with bands, art and an inflatable slip n slide. I think this is where I will dip my sweaty buns in and really start celebrating. That and then maybe late night dancing at the Glitterbeast gay apocalypse freak out party at the ND? Is that too much detail?"
Beth Schindler, General Manager, Birds Barbershop

Personally, your friendly neighborhood Gay Place, as Ms. Beth says above, will be doing everything we can to "blow shit up literally and figuratively," and wish you and yours the best and most queerly satisfying Happy Fourth of July!