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This year it is more important than ever to celebrate LGBTQ+ PRIDE. Here’s a taste of Long Beach, CA’s Dyke March. I was the emcee for the rally. My wife, Kimberly Esslinger was on the organizing committee and also created the first “Dykes After Dark” event– a poetry reading open mic– last year the poetry … Continue reading "Dyke March, Long Beach, CA 2025 by Marie Cartier"

I was invited to be on a panel for the Pacific Sociological Association (PSA) in San Francisco this past March for a new book by Amin Ghaziani, Long Live Queer Night life (Princeton University Press, 2024). Since I wrote Baby, You Are My Religion – Women, Gay Bars, and Theology Before Stonewall and have discussed … Continue reading "Long Live Queer Nightlife! by Amin Ghaziani – Book Review by Marie Cartier"

I walk my dog at night—usually after midnight I walk in my neighborhood with my dog, Zuma, a dead ringer for Toto from the Wizard of Oz. We are both quiet. I have a small flask of chardonnay I keep in my breast pocket. I might photograph the moon. I might do Wordle and send … Continue reading "“Not Like Us” by Marie Cartier"

This is my home—California…I moved here from New Hampshire, Boston, upstate New York, Ohio, Colorado…why did I move here? I kept moving West…I used to say I came as far as I could without falling into the ocean. California. My wife is a native Californian. She says people come here for “the California promise.” And … Continue reading "Oh, California, My California by Marie Cartier"

Moderator’s note: This marvelous FAR site has been running for 10 years and has had more than 3,600 posts in that time. There are so many treasures that have been posted in this decade that they tend to get lost in the archives. We have created this column so that we can all revisit some … Continue reading "From the Archives: There Is No Santa-The Antlered Flying Goddess With Gifts by Marie Cartier"

This was originally posted August, 2018 There is a very white woman in a Lexus. I could say her license plate number, but does it matter? She’s that woman you’ve heard about—yelling at a brown woman holding a sign, “I’ve lost my job. I have two kids. Help.” The white woman leans out of her … Continue reading "From the Archives: America, The Beautiful by Marie Cartier"

-please repeat and/or use in ritual, if needed There was a time (there was a time) We were waiting for something (we were waiting for something) We were wanting something (we were wanting something) We needed it to be different (we needed it to be different) We were. We are. We are here: this is … Continue reading "An Incantation for 2024, USA by Marie Cartier"

This was originally posted June, 2022 I need an abortion and I can’t get one Because I don’t have the money to fly somewhere else other than …here Where I can’t get one I need an abortion and I can’t get one Because the kid, or the cells of a maybe kid, were put in … Continue reading "From the Archives: A Chorus of Need: I Need an Abortion by Marie Cartier"

I am an American.I am proud to be an American.I am not proud of everything America does—But I am proud of democracy—of the idea of democracy.And I do not want to waste my shot, either. I am an American.The flag is mine—not just yours.You don’t own it. You with the flag shirtover a map of … Continue reading "I Am an American, Too by Marie Cartier"

Nancy Valverde was sent off to REST IN POWER April 20, 2024, having passed at her home in the LGBTQ+ senior living space, Triangle Square Triangle Square Senior Apartments – Los Angeles LGBT Center, March 25. An icon, a great friend, a mentor… we had a warrior on our side when she was here with … Continue reading "Nancy Valverde: LA Lesbian Icon passes by Marie Cartier"