I’m writing this post at a scary time for LGBTQ+ people in America and all over the world. I can’t speak for them, but I can speak as someone who’s lucky enough to have queer and trans family and friends who I care about deeply. This blog post is part of an action proposed by Julia Serano to stand in solidarity with LGBTQ+ people and to let our elected officials know we will not allow them to abandon our loved ones in hopes of political gain (which I believe to be deeply misguided anyway).
So, a political call to action: CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS AND THE SENATE. Call them right now. Put their numbers in your phone. Call them weekly or daily if you can. Even if you know they don’t agree with you, or know they do, they need to hear from you. I recommend – following Julia’s lead – letting them know: “1) you will not tolerate any backpedaling on LGBTQ+ rights whatsoever, and 2) if they fail to strongly stand up against these attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, then you will take your vote elsewhere next election.”
(If you have Republicans representing you, there’s language you can use around personal liberties, nanny state intrusion, even parents’ rights. You don’t have to tell them who you voted for or your own political leanings.)
But also, this is a music blog, so let’s dig into some fantastic – and fantastically queer – music to meet this moment.
First, of course, is the brilliant Ball of Wax 70, curated by my friend and bandmate Mia-Rose Malone. It’s all brilliant, all from trans and nonbinary artists in Washington, and all proceeds go to Rainbow Railroad, an org helping get LGBTQ+ people to safety around the world.
Mia’s band – with me on bass and Jonathan Rodriguez on drums – is called Death Spa. We just finished our album, and are very excited to share it with you. You can hear a single with early mixes of a couple songs here:
I discovered a bunch of brilliant bands and artists through Ball of Wax 70, but one that has become a mainstay is Seaside Tryst. Their album Different Places is great for roller skating, cooking dinner, and driving, among other activities.
Lys Guillorn, an old friend and Ball of Wax semi-regular, has recently remastered and re-released Wayward Children, a collection of “One-offs, comp tracks, and frighteningly loose teeth” that is well worth your time. I’ve been a fan of Lys’s since we first played a show together at Mr. Spot’s Chai House about twenty years ago, and it’s great to see they’re still going strong.
You probably don’t need me to tell you about this one, but let me join the chorus celebrating the new Black Ends album, Psychotic Spew. Holy crap what a ride:
I could go on, and on, and on, and on (have you ever noticed LGBTQ+ folks are, by and large, an astoundingly creative and inventive bunch?), but I’ll leave you with one of my kid’s current favorite tunes (or, at least,current favorite non-Taylor Swift tune), from the artist Corook, who has a new album coming out soon and will probably be coming to your town soon. Check ’em out!
How lucky are we
Of all the fish in the sea
You get to be you
And I get to be me
Thanks for reading, and for listening. Please take care of yourselves and each other.
