Things that make me giggle #3 - Geraldine McQueen

Merry Xmas everybody. I really am not a huge fan of Christmas consumerism you know. Nuns, after all, do take a vow of poverty and there's 1.44 in the coffers. People feel guilty when you give them something if they have nothing to give you, although it does provide me with the opportunity to let go and let God/dess carry that particular burden.

But there are wonderful things about this time of year. People can be so giving in December. Yesterday I received a call from a woman from AZ Trans Alliance who had donated hundreds of dollars towards making sure the girls at This is HOW got to celebrate the holidays with gifts, food, and cleaning supplies for the house. She was stuck on the east coast for work, so she called and asked if I would play Santa Clause. And I am fortunate enough to have a partner who will drive me around last minute to make sure people she doesn't know are having a happy holiday be it Christmas, Kwanza, Channuka, Solstice, or Festivus for the rest of us. I felt like cindy lou who had handed me a present as we pulled up to This is HOW and dropped off gifts from a community member who couldn't be there in person.

So although I'm a big ol' ecclectic pagan myself, Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good holiday!

Things That Make Me Giggle #2 - Is it a Choice?

LUTN recap

Here in Tempe, AZ:



Studio City, CA


Boston, MA


San Fransisco, CA

Some music for you

After Light Up the Night (Dec 20, 2008) I came home and joined a few friends for a spiritual gathering. I played my HAPI drum to accompany their dance.

BINGO Before Christmas!

Joshua Tree Feeding Program has been the primary group the Grand Canyon Sisters are raising funds for this December, and you can still join in and help out at BINGO Before Christmas!!!

Wear your Nightmare before Christmas gear or somehow dress up for the theme for the special treatment.


Joshua Tree Feeding Program has been giving out plentiful food to clients with HIV/AIDS since 1998 from the place they call home, the Asbury Methodist Church. As it says on their website, they serve an average of 120 clients each week on Tuesday with a hot meal and food boxes.

And another 130 clients recieve food boxes on the 2nd & 4th Friday.

They have new clients coming in weekly in need of assistance getting a good meal, and they provide all this at no cost to their clients. So that's where fund raising events like the above come in. Come on out, and join the nightmarish good times, as we bring in good funds, for good food.

Cocktails for Marriage Equality TONIGHT!

After the LUTN vigil, festivities continue!

Join H.E.R.O and Marriage Equality AZ for a drink or two after the rally and help raise money for our fight towards human rights!

WHERE: The Door at 1126 N. Scottsdale Rd
WHEN: Immediately after the vigil.

The Door is less than 1 mile from the bridge. If you plan to come to the after event, it may be a good idea to meet at The Door and carpool with friends to the bridge, since parking will be limited on the North side.

Come support H.E.R.O and Marriage Equality AZ. There is NO cover and $1 from every drink will go to help bring civil rights to our state, and our nation. Have a good time and feel good about supporting equality while doing it, now who doesn't like that?!?

For more information email info@be-a-hero.us or call 602-754-1175

Light up the Night - Tempe Town Lake TONIGHT at 5 PM

Light Up the Night
for Equal Rights

TONIGHT, December 20th, at 5 PM we ask that you join us as we take to the streets again for another nation-wide demonstration that will make both a social and visual impact on the private sector. Massive candlelight vigils will be held at commercial centers in cities across the country in remembrance of the rights that once were for 18,000 marriages, and in honor of the rights that one day will be again - for EVERYONE. We will also stand up against the United States' refusal to support the U.N. in its recent push to decriminalize homosexuality.

Many local television stations will present so it's important that we show our numbers in support of Equal Rights here, and the U.N.'s declaration to uphold the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for the rest of the world.

New York Based, cable television channel LOGO, will participate on-air and online in the nationwide candle light vigil occurring on December 20, 2008. As members of the LGBT community and allies gather across the nation, LOGO will keep its audience up-to-date that evening with an "on-air candle" directing viewers to the latest news from 365gay.com

How does it work?

Phoenix residents are encouraged to dress warm and report to the Mill Ave Bridge at Tempe Town Lake at 5 p.m.

This will be a peaceful demonstration in the spirit of the holidays so be ready to sing.


Bring candles! (They can be purchased 10 for $1 at Dollar Tree)


Dress alike. Wear as much red as you can; scarves, hats, even pants if you have them. Be sure to wear a white ribbon in a double knot as a symbol of Marriage Equality. (The white the represent marriage, the knots to signify tying the knot)


Bring Food! Bring any canned or boxed food you have collected as part of the National Food Drive. This will be the culmination of the National Food Drive for Equality


What will we be doing?

Hosting a peaceful candlelight vigil in honor of those rights lost.
We will stay silent unless asked a question or sing, we will not yell, instigate, or bear signs. Instead, we will let our shirts and flyers do the talking and our candles pay our respects. Again, bring candles please.
Singing and/or silence encouraged...chanting is not....keep it peaceful and in the holiday spirit.
We will also be drinking coffee and hot chocolate gratefully donated by a local coffee shop. YAY!


The 5 W's of LUTN

Who: Anyone, gay, straight, bisexual, transgender, who wants to stand up and show the world that will not sit back any longer while our rights are taken away and hate and discrimination is written into our constitution
What: A Candle Light Vigil
Where: The Mill Ave Bridge at Tempe Town Lake
When: December 20th at 5 p.m.
Why: Because we have sat by, in silence, for far too long waiting for our turn at equality and freedom. And now we will stand together, united within our community and with those communities who know the pain of inequality and segregation.

If you would like to Volunteer for this event please contact Jessica @ empath@asu.edu


After the Rally Festivities!

Join H.E.R.O and Marriage Equality AZ for a drink or two after the rally and help raise money for our fight towards human rights! We will be meeting at The Door at 1126 N. Scottsdale Rd after the rally. Come support H.E.R.O and Marriage Equality Az. There is NO cover and $1 from every drink will go to help bring civil rights to our state, and our nation. Have a good time and feel good about doing it. For more information email info@be-a-hero.us or call 602-754-1175

Things that make me giggle 1 - sock puppet theatre

In the interest of spreading joy, I've decided to occasionally include entries including things that make me giggle. These are in no particular order, but I certainly hope you do enjoy them.

Sisters on the Radio? Yup Equality Arizona Radio

Listen in to Meta and myself talking about Diversity in our community on 1480KPHX.com today! And if you missed it, or any part of it, go http://equalityarizonaradio.podbean.com and you can hear it all again!

Equality Arizona Radio seeks to change hearts and open minds through education and personal stories. Every week Emmy Award winning host Donna Rossi sits down with local and national guests to enlighten the community (LGBT and allies) about important issues. Past topics have included: LGBT in the Mormon Community, ENDA updates, LGBT Parenting and Adoption, discussions with Emmy Award Winning director Cynthia Wade (Freeheld) and national LGBT blogger Bil Browning of the Bilerico project.

The show airs live from 1480KPHX Saturdays from 10 to 11 am, listen live Saturday morning at www.1480KPHX.com, or subscribe to the podcast so you can download your episode at equalityarizonaradio.podbean.com.

Specifically: http://equalityarizonaradio.podbean.com/2008/12/20/the-sisters-of-perpetual-indulgence-airdate-122008/

Suicide is not the answer

A few years back, a friend went to the beach, sat down, and killed himself. I was shocked, hurt, and angry. I wished he had said something so that I could have reminded him there was another way.

This week I have listened as four separate LGBT individuals talked about thoughts of suicide. Four individuals who I care for deeply, and would mourn intensely if I lost them to suicide, or in any other way. I am grateful that they told me of their thoughts so that I could be there for them, listen, and tell them how much it would hurt to live without them. I ache for them, but I know that as Sister Unity said, happiness is inevitable. I believe they will each get through their struggles and come out the other side stronger for it. And on that note, check out what Sister Unity has to say for yourself:

It's a Nightmare!!!!!!

Joshua Tree Feeding Program has been the primary group the Grand Canyon Sisters are raising funds for this December, and there are 2 big events coming up where you can still join in and help out!!!

This Sunday join the Sisters at Club Forbidden for the Sunday before Christmas. Wear your ghoulish best, or your Sunday best, we don't care just come join the fun!

Then the very next night, continue the fun at our monthly themed BINGO...

Joshua Tree Feeding Program has been giving out plentiful food to clients with HIV/AIDS since 1998 from the place they call home, the Asbury Methodist Church. As it says on their website, they serve an average of 120 clients each week on Tuesday with a hot meal and food boxes.

And another 130 clients recieve food boxes on the 2nd & 4th Friday.

They have new clients coming in weekly in need of assistance getting a good meal, and they provide all this at no cost to their clients. So that's where fund raising events like the above come in. Come on out, and join the nightmarish good times, as we bring in good funds, for good food.

Logan's Playground Toy Drive

Every year at this time, for the last 7 years, people from the phoenix leather community have worked together to gather toys for Logan's Playground.

Logan's Playground then gives those toys out to children with or affected by HIV/AIDS. They have a gift giving time with holidays from around the world represented, and this year it looks like enough toys were collected to give each child more than one. Hundreds of children and their families will be at the holiday party, and the Sisters are glad to have been able to participate. We look forward to helping with this project again next year. So keep an eye out next year for a toy box near you, for Sister Bend and friends toy bag moseying around to sell toys at a bar near you, and for Sister Bearie's bodacious Christmas parties where the entrance fee is simply a toy and a smile.

Logan's Playground (LP) was founded in 2000 in honor of Logan Shaver who was the first pediatric patient in clinical trials at the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS. Logan lost his battle with AIDS at the age of six in 1999. His mother, South West Center for HIV/AIDS and all who volunteer at Logan's Playground surely are being watched over by an angel to this day. You can learn more about the various programs and events provided through Logan's Playground at https://www.logansplayground.org/About___Us.html

This is How - making us proud, needing support

Regina Gazelle has been featured in ECHO magazine, and many in our community recognize her by name, face or both. But do you know where her passion truly lies? This woman has come so far in her own life, and now she chooses to give back by creating and running a facility she once only dreamed would exist, This is How.

This is How is a transitional home for Transgender people who are at risk, and so far without any funding from governmental sources. They provide a safe, consistent place for the girls that go into this house to blossom into strong, productive people who stand proud. I have heard some of these young women gratefully share their story in the hopes that This is How will continue to provide shelter, support, and education in this community for others in need.

(SOMEBODY write this place a successful grant letter PLEASE!)

In the mean time, Saturday, December 14th, 2008 at 10:00pm — Cruisin 7th there was a benefit featuring Miss Regina Gazelle and Miss Shanaya Jordan (my apologies if I'm misspelling Miss Jordan's name) raising funds for the Shanaya Jordon project and This is How. Believe you me there will be information about Miss Jordan's project coming to this blog soon, but I decided to focus on one thing at a time here so we're starting off with This is How. Pictures on this entry are from last night's performance, but you can also join in the fun and holiday giving spirit at the following locations:

Benefit, Thursday, January 8th, 2009 at 10:00pm — Charlie’s

Fundraiser, Saturday, February 15th, 2009 and running all Day at Velocity

Of course you can always make donations directly to This is How either on their website at http://www.thisishowhome.org or by contacting Regina Gazelle directly to find out how to send them money to sponser something specific such as rent, a utility, etc.

Light up the Night in AZ and all over the US!

Here in Arizona you can go to Tempe Town Lake Bridge over on Mill Ave in Tempe, AZ!
BRING CANDLES
BRING CANNED FOOD
BRING YOUR FRIENDS!




WHAT IS LIGHT UP THE NIGHT FOR EQUALITY?
On December 20th, we ask that you join us again for a nation-wide demonstration that will make an impact on the private sector. Candlelight vigils will be held at commercial centers in cities across the country in vigil for the rights of 18,000 same-sex couples who married and look forward to the day when those rights are available again - for EVERYONE. <>

HOW DOES IT WORK? Please take to your local commercial district -- be it a shopping mall, outdoor financial center, you name it. Check your city page for the time and location of your event. This will be a peaceful demonstration in the spirit of the holidays. Dress alike. Wear the same t-shirts or signs pinned to your coats. You can make or buy a "2nd Class Citizen" t-shirt, but the message is optional. Learn more about why we suggest "2nd Class Citizen." This will be the culmination of our National Food Drive for Equality

WHAT WILL WE BE DOING?

• Hosting peaceful candlelight vigils
  
• We will stay silent unless asked a question, we will not yell, instigate, or bear signs. Instead, we will let our shirts do the talking and our candles pay our respects. Bring candles (battery powered if you'll be huddling inside).
• Singing and/or silence encouraged...chanting is not....keep it peaceful and in the holiday spirit.

Long time no post!

If you have been wondering where Sister Mischif has run off to these days, never fear I am still here. I just have been so busy of late that I have not been blogging about it nor uploading most of the pictures. I will try to remedy this situation soon. In the mean time... Check out this video I made for http://humans4equality.blogspot.com and please go make one of your own or take a picture and send it to humans4equality@gmail.com



Then go check out the film MILK!

NEW MILK LOCATIONS!

Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 4:18pm

Hey Fans of MILK!
We have good news for you! MILK will be playing in additional theatres starting tomorrow 12/5, with increased openings through January. Check the link below to see if it's playing in a theatre near you!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/note.php?note_id=38612406508

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Ten years ago, Rita Hester was killed and the newspapers reported her death at first as a man having been stabbed to death and later as a transvestite. But her friends and loved ones stood strong, speaking out that Rita needed to be remembered in death, and she chose to be remembered in life, as the woman she was. And so Transgender Day of Remembrance was born.

Each year in Arizona we gather outside the State Capitol to remember those transgender people killed around the world. Many of whom this year were women of color, and some of whom were killed by their own governments and whose murders were covered up. I will be bringing an altar with incense so that people can light a stick of incense for those lost but whose names can not be read because they are unknown. Please join us tomorrow night and light a candle in memory of those whose light has been snuffed out, but whose memory will go on, and in the hope of a future in which people can be open and honest about who they are without fear of death or attack.

Angel Action & TDoR

November 22nd hundreds gathered at Glendale Community College's performance arts center to support the college for putting on the Larame Project.

GCC decided to perform the Larame Project in honor of the 10 year anniversary of the death of Matthew Shephard. They were told that a church preaching hate of gays would show up to protest the event, the same church whose pastor is represented in the play, the Larame Project. Instead, all you could see outside GCC's Performing Arts Center were hundreds of students, H.E.R.O.s and other supporters. Sometimes standing silently in memory of matthew shephard and the very first angel action which took place at his funeral...sometimes singing Amazing Grace or some other hymnal, these people shared the love.

Thank you to the students and faculty of GCC for standing firm and holding their play despite the threat of Fred Phelps attendance. And thank you to those two lovely ladies in the back working lights and sound who so often go unnoticed.


Here are some of my favorite photos from before during and after our Angel Action for the Larame Project:

Transarchist Pride outside the Larame Project
Don't forge the Transgender Day of Remembrance

November 21st About 100 students, faculty, and community members gathered at ASU to remember those who have been killed for their gender presentation or identity. In the forground of the photo to the left are 2 local students, Kam and Fred hold their lit candles in memory of those lost.

This is an annual gathering held each November around the world, and the Sisters were honored to participate in ASU's touching memorial. We found ourselves welcomed afterwards by several students. Thank you for making us feel so welcome Kendall, Kyle, Fred, Kam, Gavin, Antonio, et al!!

Join me at the Arizona State Capitol Sunday Nov 23rd at 5 PM or visit transgenderdor.org to find a Transgender Day of Remembrance near you and light a candle for those known and unknown

Spread LOVE, not violence

AZ Transgender Day of Rememberance

November 23rd, at 5:30 PM please join me at the state capitol as I stand side by side with our community remembering those we have lost in 2008:

Here is a list of those who are known. There are also 2 Iraqi women who are currently not shown on this list who died just like Ali, executed for being trans.

Kellie Telesford
Location: Thornton Heath, UK
Cause of Death: Strangled
Date of Death: November 21, 2007
Kellie was strangled to death with a scarf, by 18 year old Shanniel Hyatt, who then covered the body of 39-year-old Kellie Telesford with a white blanket - with the brown furry scarf used to choke her still bound tightly round her neck. Hyatt said he killer her after discovering she had a penis.


Brian McGlothin (Liked to dress in Women's clothes)
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Cause of Death: Shot in the head with an automatic rifle by Antonio Williams who is serving a six year sentence. Brian was 25 years old.
Date of Death: December 23, 2007


Gabriela Alejandra Albornoz
Location: Santiago, Chile
Cause of Death: Attacked and stabbed
Date of Death: December 28, 2007


Patrick Murphy (Found Dressed in Women's clothes)
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Cause of Death: Shot several times in the head
Date of Death: January 8, 2008
Patrick was 39 years old.


Stacy Brown
Location: Baltimore, MD
Cause of Death: Shot in the head
Date of Death: January 8, 2008
Stacy was 30 years old.


Adolphus Simmons
Location: Charleston, SC
Cause of Death: Shot to Death (Aldophus was 18 yrs. old)
Date of Death: January 21, 2008


Fedra (a known transvestite)
Location: Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Cause of Death: Was found lying face up in a pool of blood; cause of death was not reported.
Date of Death: January 22, 2008


Ashley Sweeney
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Cause of Death: Shot in the head
Date of Death: February 4, 2008
The age of Ashley Sweeney is unknown, she was only described as a young transgender woman in a press release.


Sanesha (Talib) Stewart
Location: Bronx, NY
Cause of Death: Stabbed to Death
Date of Death: February 10, 2008
Sanesha was 25 years old.


Lawrence King
Location: Oxnard, California
Cause of Death: Shot to death by a classmate because he was openly gay and liked to wear women's clothes. (Lawrence King was 15 years old.)
Date of Death: February 12, 2008


Simmie Williams Jr.
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Cause of Death: Shot to death, Simmie was found wearing women's clothing. (Simmie was 17 years old.)
Date of Death: February 22, 2008


Luna (no last name reported)
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Cause of Death: Brutally beaten to death and tossed into a dumpster.
Date of Death: March 15, 2008


Lloyd Nixon
Location: West Palm Beach, Florida
Cause of Death:Repeatedly beat in the head with a brick.
Date of Death: April 16, 2008
Lloyd was 45 years old.


Felicia Melton-Smyth
Location: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Cause of Death: brutally stabbed to death by Francisco Javier Hollos, who said he killed her because she would not pay for sex. Felicia was an HIV activist on vacation from Wisconsin.
Date of Death: May 26, 2008


Silvana Berisha
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Cause of Death: Stabbed to Death
Date of Death: June 24, 2008


Ebony (Rodney) Whitaker
Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Cause of Death:Shot (Ebony was 20 yrs. old)
Date of Death:July 1, 2008


Rosa Pazos
Location: Sevilla, Spain
Cause of Death: Was found in her apartment, she had been stabbed in the throat.
Date of Death: July 11, 2008


Juan Carlos Aucalle Coronel
Location: Lombardi, Italy
Cause of Death severely beaten causing fractures to the head and face before being run over by a car.
Date of Death July 14, 2008
Juan Carlos was 35 years old.


Angie Zapata
Location: Greeley, Colorado
Cause of Death: She was found in her home with two severe fractures in her skull. Angie was murdered by 31 year old Alan Ray Andrade. Angie was 18 years old.
Date of Death: July 17, 2008


Jaylynn L. Namauu
Location: Makiki Honolulu, Hawaii
Cause of Death: Stabbed to Death
Date of Death: July 17, 2008
Jaylynn was 35 years old.


Samantha Rangel Brandau
Location: Milan, Italy
Cause of Death: beaten, gang raped and stabbed numerous times before being left for dead.
Date of Death: July 29, 2008
Samantha was 30 years old.


Ruby Molina
Location: Sacramento, California
Cause of Death: Drowned
Date of Death: September 21, 2008
Ruby's naked body was found floating in the American river.
She was 22 years old.


Aimee Wilcoxson
Location: Aurora, Colorado
Cause of Death: undetermined (Police have yet to reveal cause)
Date of Death: November 3, 2008
Aimee was found dead in her bed. She was 34 years old.



Duanna Johnson
Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Cause of Death: Shot
Date of Death: November 9, 2008
Duanna was found dead in the middle of the street. She was 42 years old.


Dilek Ince
Location: Ankara, Turkey
Cause of Death:Shot in the back of the head
Date of Death: November 11, 2008


Teish (Moses) Cannon
Location: Syracuse, New York
Cause of Death: Shot
Date of Death: November 14, 2008
Teish was 22 years old.


Ali
Location:Iraq
Cause of Death:executed for being transgender
Date of Death:2008, Month is Unknown
Video of Ali before she was executed: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2tDVtjQNfQ

Making a joyful noise unto the Larame Project

Come see the Larame Project at Glendale Community College Performing Arts Center, 7:30 PM this Saturday, for $8 each ticket!

Equal Rights Rally and a Night for Sister Bearie

Thank you again to everyone who came out and stood up for equal rights be you straight, lesbian, gay, bi, tri, transgender, a purple monkey in a dinosaur suit, or otherwise. (Well OK, maybe some people don't support purple monkeys)

I showed up early as usual with Guard Spiketakiss, Patch and Sister Rhea Treavor to see how I could help out, and followed this man and his Pride flag over to where people were handing out signs (I'd brought extras and some extra equal rights tshirts which I forgot to give out, doh!)

Although Guard Spiketakiss started out the day watching over a lone Sister, we were soon joined by Sisters Honey, Felicity, Ora Lee, and Postulant Raisa Brow.

Eventually the place filled up and over 4000 Phoenix residents of all walks of life, gathered to march from the Cesar Chavez Memorial to the State Capitol and back. Along the way I ran into Sisters Odora and Frankly, chanting along with the crowd. It was quite a long march but the shouts of the large crowd enjoyed the dance of the echo, bouncing off the buildings so that nobody doubted we were there.

My favorite chant of the day, "A people, united, can never be divided!" and it is so true. I sent some of my pictures in to Humans for Equality. Some of which you can see right now on the Gender DiverCity blog. I will upload the rest of my pictures and videos from the rally to azsisters.org and my youtube page today. And if you want to stand up and say you believe all people should have equal rights, send in a picture of yourself with your words about equal rights to humans4equality@gmail.com


After the rally, many of the Sisters headed over to Cherry Bar for Vanilla's Christmas Puddin drag show, the second part of Sister Bearie's Novice Project and 3 part fund raiser for Logans Playground. Logan's Playground is a wonderful resource for children with or affected by HIV and AIDS. You can learn all about them at https://www.logansplayground.org/About___Us.html

The first part was a costume party and drag show called the Witch's Ball, the second was last night, and the third will be in December at Exposed Gallery. So far each and every one has been amazing.

I especially loved the Witch's ball, and I'm sure I would have loved last night just as much if I hadn't been up since 3:30 am preparing for the day's events! LOL as it was I bearly managed to keep my eyes open and ask the people entering for their toys. Thank goodness Novice V'gina Dentata and Aspirants Bear and Wayne were there with me to keep reminded me of what we were doin!

It was a special night not only because we brought in extra funds and toys for kids with or affected by HIV/AIDS, but also because Sister Bearie D'licious took her vows right there in front of bear and country. Sister Odora lead her in the vows, which several of the Sisters there spoke along with, reinstating our vows, while Atopa and Oralee placed the new veil on her head (which somehow quickly became covered in lights, feathers and a wig....and soon after several different colored veils rained down upon her from the other black veil members of the house.

Welcome to fully professed life Sister Bearie Delicious! I know you will continue to bring many wonderful things to the Grand Canyon Sisters, and the community we serve.

4000 strong and growing

Phoenix, I love you. Today it was clear that Phoenix is not a gay city, nor a straight city, it is a diverse city. A community united can never be divided. I am told there were over 4000 people there including some very powerful speakers who I tried to capture on video. Here are some videos and pictures from today. (Edit: Final total was over 5000)

I have sent some of the pictures I took today to humans4equality@gmail.com and they will be up on http://genderdivercity.blogspot.com soon.







And with that, I will leave you with this thought:

It's all about love, babeh!

Dearest Community,

At a time where we literally are feeling slapped in the face by anti-gay legislation around the Nation, The LGBTQI and Straight Allies are pulling together like never before. In some ways this is reminicent of the 80's when people took to the streets to Act Up and fight AIDS.

Today we will see a nationally coordinated rally for Equal Rights. I believe it will be an outpouring of LGBTQI and others standing together like never before to say, "You can't legislate love, wake up America and realize that you are not living up to the American ideal of equal rights, freedom and protection for all." Go to jointheimpact.org to learn more.

The honest truth is that many in our community are angry, and although that anger is being channeled in positive directions for the most part, there have been the rare moments when someone boils over and loses it on some person spewing their particular brand of hate. But love conquers all my friends, and make no mistake, this is all about love. Therefor we SHALL overcome!

I urge you to stand with your friends, neighbors and loved ones tomorrow in NON-violent protest and loving education.

Here in Phoenix people will be rallying together for Equal Rights for all at Cesar Chavez Memorial, today at 11:30 am. That's at 200 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ. And I encourage you to be there with your loved ones to stand together hand in hand, showing our love to the world, even those who hate us. For they can not legislate our love. We will stand strong, and we will overcome.

And later on in the day if you're needing some encouragement and recouperative time, stop by the Alternative Health Coffee Shop/1 Voice Community Center at 6 PM and listen to Miss Myllie share Herstory. For if there was ever a time in our state when we need to be reminded of history, it is now.

Or drop by the Cherry bar or Club Forbidden where they are having some amazing events. Buy a drink, have some fun and support local charities.

But most importantly: whatever you do tomorrow,
spread love not h8.

Blessings, indulgence and loving light,
Sister Mischif

Let us learn from our Herstory

See you Saturday (this Saturday, the 15th) at 11:30 at Cesar Chavez Memorial for the protest, but let it not end there.

Don't forget that Miss Myllie will be at Alternatives Health and Wellness aka 1 Voice Community Center at 6 PM this Saturday. This woman has so much to share. Let us learn from Herstory! (history)

Better educated, better armed. Besides, she's an amazing speaker and if there's any time Phoenix needs to hear a positive and affirming life story it's NOW!

Stop the H8 Rally

Click on the picture above for a full size version and pass it around!

What a Night! We Shall Overcome

Guard Spiketakiss and I arrived early to meet up with Luis and the other organizers, get ourselves settled, and find out what they needed us to do. They were very organized with boxes of candles already in protective cups, sign up sheets, and someone coming who would perform acoustically.

Right away we were assigned to get people to fill out info on a sign up sheet.

We were soon joined by many others including Sisters Odora, Honey, Novice Bearie D'licous, Postulant Raisa, friends from AZ Trans Alliance, Central Arizona Gender Alliance, Phoenix boys of Leather, APAH, and many more. Some, like Kenneth and his partner wore arm bands with a pink triangle that said 2nd Class on it. Others brought huge signs with various slogans they found personally powerful. I was content to sit with the sign up sheet while I chanted alternately demanding "equal rights now" and "sexy men now" which got quite a chuckle out of those standing nearby.


It was wonderful meeting new people, and seeing so many friends, and truly inspiring to see the passion which people spoke their minds.

The next rally will be this Saturday the 15th, at 11:30 AM at the Cesar Chavez Memoriall. More details to come.

Candle Light Vigil Mourning the Passing of Prop 102

Tomorrow I will be joining the candle light vigil mourning the passing of Prop 102. I pray people will see the error of their ways.
See the following email from Luis for details:

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Friends,

As you know Tuesday was a sad day for Arizona, and the feeling that rushed through every GLTB Arizonan was one of sadness, despair and ultimate frustration. We need to do something about this, and now. There is no time like the present; we need to infuse the hope back into Arizona.

The community needs an outlet, somewhere to come together and feel as though they are being heard. A venue where the tears can flow, for the ground we lost on Tuesday. But after those tears it will be a place that will be filled with hope, a place that will allow us to come together and speak of where we will go from here. The upcoming road may be harder, longer, and steeper, but we shall overcome.

I feel at least we need to have a community gathering, possibly a candlelight vigil to recognize the people and families that our state constitution now does not, along with infusing some hope about the future into the mix. Something to make the community feel embraced and heard, to give them hope and the strength to continue the battle for equality.

-Meg Sneed and Luis Garcia

Date: Monday, November 10, 2008
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Camelback and Central
City/Town: Phoenix, AZ
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Even if you can not attend tomorrow, wear a pink triangle that says 2nd class citizen.

This country's constitution protects against discriminating, it seems bizarre to see AZ, CA and FL passing a proposition to change their constitution to ADD IN discrimination! You can not discriminate against one group's marriage. Not only can love not be legislated, but it's equivalent to saying "Blacks can't vote but white's can." or "Women don't have freedom of speech but men do. " So tomorrow I will be there to lend a support to my community and spread hope for change.

Blessed be,
Sister Mischif

"We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy."
The Great Martin Luther King Jr.

Burning Bush for Burnside

Sometimes people ask me why I became a Sister. And last night a large part of why I became a Sister was able to be lived out. It's not the only reason, but one large piece of what I love is personal connection. Last night Sister Felicity, myself and some friends went over to Alternatives Health and Wellness Center (also known as 1 VCC) and had some delicious Italian sodas.

While we were there, I had a wonderful conversation with a lovely latino man and his friend about who Sisters are, and what we do. They asked if we knew Harry Hayes...and being me, I wasn't sure who they meant. They then asked if I knew the history of the Radical Faeries, and I said yes some of the founding Sisters were radical Fae.

The Radical Faeries were in fact founded by John Burnside and his partner... and thanks to the miracle of modern technology, I was able to pull my cell phone out, google Radical Faery founders and find out that they were meaning Harry Hay. It was a wonderful reminder, and I want to pay all due respect here to the co-founders of the Radical Faeries for all the light and love they brought into the world.

Then today I received a phone call from Sister MP who was getting ready to meet up with one of the founders of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and head out to the Burnside Mermorial. I wish I could have gone with them.

But I'd like to think that Harry Hay and John Burnside were there watching over Sister Felicity, myself and all our fabulous Burning Bush Drum Circle friends last night as we banged away on our drums, danced, spun fire, and shared space together.

Blessed be to all the Faery folk out there. May you find peace, love and joy on your path, and equal rights in this strange land we live.

Today's the Day - VOTE

This is your chance to tell the government what you think, what you want, and who you want to do it. Use your voice. Go Vote.

Remembering the October BINGOs

October is one of my favorite months with all the opportunities to dress up and play, but it also provided a wonderful opportunity for the Grand Canyon Sisters to raise funds for a local organization who really has done so much for people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in the South West, South West Center for HIV/AIDS.



I haven't found the time to upload all the pictures from last month yet, tho you can see many on azsisters.org, but I thought I'd share some of my favorites from BINGOs de los Muertos, which was all the more fun for me, as I had a blast preparing by making and decorating home made mini sugar skulls and painting my face like a sugar skull. What a fun way to remember those who have passed and invite them to join the fun for the night! The altar Sister Odora and everyone put together was amazing.

And Sister Honey finally got her black veil (and every other color under the rainbow)