Thursday, Oct. 01, 2009

moving south and going bi

Every night, I grab the remote and switch the television over to the Hallmark Channel or WE (Women Entertainment), and doze off to the sounds of Dorothy, Blanche, Rose and Sofia. It's one thing I've picked up from my boyfriend - going to sleep to "The Golden Girls." We even have every season on DVD and when all else fails, we pop in a disc and usually awaken to the theme song playing over and over in the middle of the night.

I've been thinking a lot about "The Golden Girls" lately. Undoubtedly the star of the show, Bea Arthur, who played Dorothy Zbornak, passed away earlier this year and a group of my friends and I all started making plans to dress up as the entire cast on Halloween, including an entourage of Blanche's (Rue McClanahan) suitors.

Things have changed since then, however. I've decided that it's time for a change in my life and I'm moving south and going bi. Bi-weekly that is. I'll be moving to St. Petersburg, Fla., and A Gay in the Life will be featured on a bi-weekly basis from now on.

As I write this, I'm finishing up my days here at the Surge office - cleaning out my desk, saying goodbyes and storing away old memories to take with me. It's been six years since my last move, when I ventured to the beach from Houston, Texas. Through those years, I've collected many things - furniture, books, ex-boyfriends and, most importantly, friends. I've spent the last month or so in a clean-house mode, throwing out the clutter and packing away those things that I cherish. But once again, I'm reminded of that looping Golden Girls theme song.

"Thank you for being a friend, Traveled down the road and back again. Your heart is true, you're a pal and a confidant.

And if you threw a party,

Invited everyone you knew,

You would see the biggest gift would be from me

And the card attached would say,

Thank you for being a friend."

So, as I travel down that road again and lay my head down in a different city - "The Golden Girls" will still be playing and the LGBT community of Myrtle Beach will still be in my thoughts - and in this column, of course.

If you'd like to say farewell, there will be a going away party starting at 6 tonight at Time Out!, at 520 Eighth Ave. in downtown Myrtle Beach. There will also be an early drag show starting around 7 p.m. featuring some of the best local entertainers Myrtle Beach has to offer. For more information call 448-1180.

Till next week (I mean - Oct. 15), have fun and be safe.

miss rrf is crowned

On Sept. 25, Red Ribbon Friends hosted the annual Miss Red Ribbon Friends pageant at Time Out! The annual event raises awareness and money to help with RRF's Careteam Grant Fund, which assist LGBT residents in Horry, Georgetown and Williamsburg counties who are living with HIV and/or AIDS.

Congratulations go out to winner Kelly Brooks from Myrtle Beach. Brooks will now represent RRF in upcoming fundraisers and events. First runner-up went to Brittany Fontane from Greenville and second runner-up went to Akasha Tate of Myrtle Beach. For more information about RRF, visit www.redribbonfriends.com.

out & about

Friday, Oct. 2 - The Gay Professionals Happy Hour will meet from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Anchor Cafe, located at the Marina Inn at Grande Dunes. This will mark the 3-year anniversary for the popular happy hour group. For more information, e-mail FirstFriday@GambleLivingston.com.

Saturday, Oct. 10 & Sunday, Oct. 11 - LGBT people and allies across the nation will gather in Washington, D.C., in what is expected to be a monumental showing of activism at the National Equality March (NEM) on Oct. 11. Events will begin on Oct. 10 while the official march and rally will start at noon on Oct. 11. For a complete list of events, visit http://nem.gaycities.com. In addition to NEM activities, the Human Rights Campaign will be hosting its 13th annual HRC National Dinner at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in D.C. featuring guest speakers Judy & Dennis Shepard and performances and appearances by Gavin Creel, Cyndi Lauper, Lady Gaga and the cast of "Glee." For more information, visit www.hrcnationaldinner.org.

There are no buses listed leaving from South Carolina to the march. However, there are several travel discounts and ride shares available if you are planning on attending. Some people are also offering "couch surfing" opportunities and free housing for those who don't have the means to afford accommodations.

For more information, visit http://equalityacrossamerica.org/blog/?page_id=19.

If you can't make it to the march, I'm sure there will be national coverage of the event on most networks and NEM is supporting community organizing in all 435 Congressional Districts toward the goal of full federal equality for LGBT people. The local group is headed up by John Dawkins at the South Carolina Progressive Network (SCPN) in Columbia. The purpose of SCPN is to promote through education and action - human, civil, reproductive and workers' rights, environmental protection and government reform. For more information, visit www.scpronet.com or email johndawkins@scpronet.com.

In addition to the events in Washington, D.C., LOGO, MTV Network's popular LGBT network, is taking an unprecedented step in honor of the events. According to a statement released by Lisa Sherman, LOGO executive vice president and general manager, "the National Equality March resonates strongly with LOGO's gay and straight audience because we all expect equality in all aspects of our lives." In response, the 24/7 network will be "going dark" from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST Oct. 11 to emphasize the significance of the event.

Have a thought, comment or Out & About event? Send Chris Rudisill an e-mail at SouthernGayWriter@gmail.com or on Facebook.com @SouthernGayWriter.