CW: child abuse & CSA // Every link here is a song. Enjoy. My parents ran against one another for President in 2016. I could see as soon as my mother became the Democratic nominee that the whole country was bound to lose, no matter who won. As a child I was told, "If anyone … Continue reading Truth No. 2: On the 2016 Election
I believe that transparency is fundamental to Democracy, and fundamental to healthy community building. I hope the organizations who've inspired this post will share this belief, as it forms the basis upon which I write the following in a spirit of goodwill and community healing: Last night I attended my first-ever local Democrats meeting. I'd … Continue reading “We’ve Invited the People of Color. Where Are They?”
For the first time, I've gotten involved in a political campaign. Two of them. I'm learning things about the way our "democracy" is systematically structured against democracy though. Can we talk about what I'm seeing? Observation #1: Non-profits are not allowed to support any political candidate. Observation #2: Many cities and towns prohibit political candidates … Continue reading On Democracy and Our Humanity
Father's Day has been weird for me since I was 4 years old. That it falls on Juneteenth this year gives the weirdness a uniquely ironic twist. I don't have to worry about what I say in a Facebook post because my father already blocked me -- or did I block him, this time? We've … Continue reading On Father’s Day and Juneteenth
On the first day of sixth grade, my math teacher proved himself a heretic by suggesting that we arrange our seating chart in alphabetical order according to first name rather than last. For years we’d been sitting next to the same students in every class, every day. This man was a hero. Taught us what … Continue reading What’s In a Name?
This is Max. Max is a Service Dog. He's still in training, and I'm responsible for training him. He's learning quicker than I expected. He's been "at work" two days now. He was originally rescued in March, after his abusers decided he was a "bad dog" who wouldn't listen or behave. He was afraid of … Continue reading Service Made Visible: My Dog is a Radical Revolutionary
Both Indigenous Peoples' Day and National Coming Out Day are dear to my heart. At 14, I first "came out" in Arkansas where my self-extraction from the closet of Evanglical authoritarianism was not welcome. I called myself a lesbian, because I knew I wasn't straight. Then I kept dating boys in high school who usually … Continue reading Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day, National Coming Out Day, and Shiny New Certificate Day.
1999: I was 11 years old, and the Dixie Chicks' opening act was Ricky Skaggs. I already owned his album 'Soldier of the Cross', but apparently the rest of my generation didn't know him so well. The Chicks came out on stage while everyone was bustling about for t-shirts and snacks, and commanded our attention. … Continue reading Redneck Solidarity
project-inform-transwomen-booklet-2016-2Download This booklet was authored by Brandyn Gallagher in collaboration with Project Inform to provide the most up-to-date, science-based information available for transfeminine people at the time of publication in March 2016. To learn more about PrEP, advancements in HIV prevention, and options for protecting your health and wellness, please ask your physician or visit … Continue reading Transcending Barriers for Safer Pleasure: A Publication for Transgender Women
prep_msm-project-inform-bookletDownload Brandyn Gallagher edited this booklet in collaboration with David Evans of Project Inform, updating an older version written for MSM so the writing is trans-inclusive as of January 2016. The scientific evidence upon which this writing is based was the most up-to-date available at the time of publication. To learn more about PrEP, advancements … Continue reading Is Taking PrEP the Right Choice for You?
The Front Porch 