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#nokings #nokingsday Many actions took place in Southern California. I participated in one which was so unusual and historic I want to share it with you all on FAR. My wife and I and friends stood and protested in Seal Beach, CA and then drove through 1000s and 1000sof people lining both sides of Pacific Coast Highway for … Continue reading "NO KINGS Day June 14, 2025 by Marie Cartier"

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"