1. We arrived at Elizabeth and Josh's adorable bungalow in East Nashville, right outside of four points. Elizabeth is the sister of Becca, one of our adored Queer Soupers, and we have to say that Elizabeth and Josh are now honorary soupers! After a lunch, we had some time to sit and breathe a bit. It was great to be in a neighborhood and just walk around. The leaves here are just so green, in a way that seems almost fake, but no - green they are!
2. We met with a great group of guys on the other side of Nashville and chatted all about the community here, the differences they see between being up North and being in Nashville, and we also chatted a bit about Dolly Parton and the wonders of the Dixie Stampede (which we're hoping to hit later in the trip!)
2.5 We went to the Parthenon. Seriously, like 100 years ago the city built an exact replica of the Parthenon (but without the crumbly parts) and it's on this amazing green and we were there, along with every prom couple in the county. Kathy put Renee and Mal in their place, feeling inspired by the great philosophical gymnasts of ancient Greece and then we ran to avoid the crazy tall man behind us. Seriously - crazy. Just look.
3. We met up with Aunt B. (of Tiny Cat Pants fame, as well as the playwright of last summer's "Honey, I'm So Lonesome, I Don't Know What to Do") and two of her friends - Stephanie & Tracy - and had an incredible conversation about being gay in rural Tennessee. But it was so much more than that - it was about truth and family and bucking stereotypes. They felt like family and we sure as heck hope we'll be seeing more than them in the future! (Photos and more from our meeting will be up soon...)
4. And then we went Honky Tonkin. Hell yeah. Josh and Elizabeth took us out and we squeezed into the back of a shotgun style bar and listened to some bluegrass and country.
You'd think we would be done. But no. Not only are we staying at the cutest house ever, but we are mere steps from the Lipstick Lounge - the lesbian bar in town! There was karaoke (which is unlike karaoke anywhere else in the world - it is the American Idol of karaoke, record contracts were signed next to the beer nuts. Truly.) And then, finally we went to bed.
So yeah - it's been quite the day - one could even call it a marathon. We're finding more and more that what we thought would be so different and a little foreign is really just the same in a lot of ways - that we are all struggling to be seen and heard and doing whatever bit we can to speak our truth and change the world, be it big like the Parthenon or more intimate, just one person at a time. (Thank you Tracy.)
So goodnight sweet blogger readers. We sleep and tomorrow - Memphis.
6 comments:
I just got off the phone with my little sister and she already misses you guys. It is interesting, isn't it? Family is family. Wherever you go.
It was an amazing evening. Thank you guys.
We are honored to be apart of your journey.
Oh, I'm the chubby yet highly cute one in the hat you interviewed.
:)
It was so great to meet all three of you. I can't thank B enough for bringing us together.
I hope our talk revealed to you a side of rural America you may not have expected.
I can't wait to visit with you again. Hope Graceland and Dollywood exceed your expectations.
I just want to know that I am following your adventures. I like the total multi-media experience...this is the way to do a trip...so people can follow right along.
(I have my computer screen hooked up to my 46" TV, so I watch your videos on the big screen.)
Good thing you didn't mention that illusive 5th Point...
:P
newscoma and squirrel queen - the honor was hours completely and utterly. thank you for your time and words and wisdom. we're certainly having a time here!
l - i'm not sure who l is, but if it's who i think it is - yay! and wow - i don't think i'd want to see myself that big!
wraith - ah yes, that elusive 5th point - it's a sharp one.
bootsy - exactly.
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