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Oh yes, I’m grateful for the Portland frog—that blow up adult sized character with the pink scarf blowing back in the wind facing down a squad of ICE “officers.” I’m so grateful for all the blow-up adult size characters who showed up at the largest protest for anything, single day protest in the U.S. to … Continue reading "In these United States: A Gratitude Poem, after all, for 2025, by Marie Cartier"

This post was originally published November 24, 2018. In November 2017 I wrote about pie baking.  And in November 2015 I also wrote about pie baking. In November 2016, I was destroyed by the “election” and wrote a post in November of that year “For Strong Women” just to help many of us keep going. … Continue reading "From the Archives: And the Pies! Ongoing Grateful Thanks for Tradition by Marie Cartier"

Note – usually we have a Carol Christ Legacy post on Mondays. Today we have a post in the spirit of the elections taking place this week across the United States. October 18, 2025 Largest single day protest in US history- over 7 million people- 2700 + gatherings P.s. That’s my wife in the inflatable … Continue reading "NO Kings Day Protest – Lakewood, CA by Marie Cartier "

This piece was originally posted on November 2, 2013. Part I published yesterday. The day after his death, I went to teach Gender Women’s Studies (then Women’s Studies) and I cried in front of my students and then sang to them because I didn’t know what else to do. So in 1998 I sang a … Continue reading "From the Archives: Matthew Shepard Is a Friend of Mine – Part II…by Marie Cartier"

This piece was originally posted on November 2, 2013. Matthew Shepard died October 12, 1998 – fifteen years ago.  This month I have already attended three events memorializing his death. The first was a screening of the Emmy-award winning teleplay The Matthew Shepard Story  (starring the amazing Stockard Channing as Judy Shepard), where I served as … Continue reading "From the Archives: Matthew Shepard Is a Friend of Mine – Part I…by Marie Cartier"

Poem: Part I We didn’t want to believe we had lost so much, so fast- Our dignity perhaps and certainly our ability to speak entirely freely We didn’t want to believe that we had lost so much so fast—           Our ability to be connected to each other, to form a more perfect union We didn’t … Continue reading "THIS IS  HOW WE DO IT: In These United States, September 2025 by Marie Cartier"

This I can guarantee you: there will come a day when it seems you cannot stop crying. When will that day come? Today it came for me reading The Atlantic while I drank my morning coffee: This is what they are reporting: the Trump administration has given the order to incinerate food instead of sending … Continue reading "This is the time for good trouble by Marie Cartier"

#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"