Happy Pride!
Hey, cowpokes!
It's Pride! And I can only hear that phrase in the "It's corn!" kid voice.
I have somehow become an avid baseball fan and so a lot of the Pride Discourse I'm seeing these days is which teams and which players would love to see me cease to exist. It's fun! I'm thrilled to go to the first Pride celebration the Yankees will host (and they're doing a whole month, not just one night) but I am also scared of whether or not certain players will protest the proceedings. I am by no means a diehard fan but it would be a bummer to know who hates me -- just like when a country music or Americana artist decides to share their "loving kindness"-based convictions.
More than in my adulthood, this year's Pride feels more like a protest -- and I was going to marches before same sex marriage was legal. New York City's Dyke March is always a mandatory part of my celebrations, but this year we might actually go to the main parade. Seems like it could be important. Maybe something will pop off. But there's a lot of construction along the parade route this year with plenty of bricks and rubble around. Just saying.
Personally, I enjoy the gatherings and celebrations at friends' homes -- not necessarily getting turnt but having a fun excuse to get together and to take up space. But as more and more attention gets turned towards my transmasc body, I do feel a growing sense of unease. I'll be going to Nashville at the end of the month and I am having all kinds of apprehensions.
But there's some exciting news as well! I will once again be the voice of Sirius XM's queer country channel, Country Pride, which will launch this coming Monday. (Don't worry -- I'll post about it and send links.) I am also launching the fundraiser for issue 3 of the Rainbow Rodeo zine! This is your reminder to subscribe to the Patreon to get your copy, and other pre-order info will be up on Monday.
Happy pride! Stay safe and be joyous!
New Music
Julian Talamantez Brolaski premiered their "COVID-19 Blues" on Rainbow Rodeo! Study up now because they'll be our guest for the July episode of Rainbow Rodeo!
Podcast
Out TODAY is my interview with bluegrass legends Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer. Our conversation ranges from their storied career in bluegrass to their new musical, All Wigged Out, about their experience living through Marcy's breast cancer treatments.
Interviews
Zach Day loves a good narrative, and you'll love his incredible singing voice
TOMI breaks free of constraints on this country rocker
Rainbow Roundup
As always, you can find the roundup here.