Nineteen years ago today, I was working at a building complex across the street from the World Trade Center. I was supposed to go to a meeting at my company’s WTC offices, but I decided I’d participate by phone instead. That was a stroke of luck, because that morning, 19 men — 15 of them…
COVID-19
RIP, Larry Kramer
Larry Kramer, a writer and one of the earliest AIDS activists, died today at age 84. You can read his full resume in the many obituaries that have been and will be published but, in short, Kramer was a co-founder of two AIDS activism groups — Gay Men’s Health Crisis, in 1982, which provided support…
Taking to the Streets to Mourn COVID-19 Deaths
More than 90,000 people have died of the novel coronavirus in the U.S., but the White House hasn’t called for national mourning. To make up for that, grass roots activist groups arranged a Day of Mourning today to call attention to our losses. As #COVID19 infections in the US increase to over 1.5m and deaths…
Wednesday, May 20: COVID-19 Day of Mourning
As of today, more than 90,000 people have died of the novel coronavirus in the U.S. Tomorrow is a National Day of Mourning, organized by Indivisible, MoveOn, the Center for Popular Democracy, and other activist groups. As part of that, there will be a 24-hour livestream during which all the victims are named. You can get the…
Trump Lies All the Time
Today I left my neighborhood for the first time since Friday, March 13, to join a few of my friends from the Remove Trump collective and We Will Not Be Silent in making a little statement. Just kidding about the “little” part! This banner is 20′ by 30′ — so it was easy to hold it…
Cuomo: Actions Speak Louder Than Words
I hope people “crushing” on New York Governor Andrew Cuomo were paying attention to the news today. The New York state budget is past due — the deadline was midnight — though this afternoon Cuomo said he’d reached a tentative deal with lawmakers. Under that deal, cuts to Medicaid are still on the table. You’re…
PSA: Tele-Health Links for New York City
New Yorkers! Right now, city officials are advising people to NOT go to a hospital unless it is a true emergency and you feel like you can’t breathe. The system is so overwhelmed that if you have mild or moderate COVID-19 symptoms (fever of over 100F, dry cough, fatigue, loss of sense of smell/taste), you…
OG Bloggers Talking About Life Under Quarantine
Here’s a real #ThrowbackThursday photo for you: In 2009, we touched our faces and thought nothing of it! The gorgeous woman with me in the photo is Jennine Jacob, who inspired me to start this blog in July 2007. Jennine had launched her personal-fashion blog, The Coveted, in 2006, and I started leaving long comments…
Remembering the “Social Distancing” of AIDS
While I would have liked to spread some … … tonight, I just can’t. I’m as angry as an Italian mayor who sees people jogging and throwing house parties instead of staying in quarantine to slow the spread of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus. Italian mayor addresses his citizens about their irresponsible behavior (in a very…
Practical Accessorizing: Tiaras and Shields
Quick! Look at your fingers right now. Are you wearing any rings? An engagement ring and/or wedding band? Take them off! To avoid the novel coronavirus, you should be washing your hands more than Lady MacBeth, and that kind of scrubbing isn’t good for your fine jewelry. I never wear my rings at home, and…