I was at a party last weekend, and I love to watch people. I was the designateddriver so I was sober — completely sober amidst a good size group of mostlyqueer as a three dollar bill people, I think. Now, I don’t have the gift of“positive gaydar” all the time and I learned a long time ago to nevermake assumptions, so my guess is there were straight people there too. Butagain, I am not sure.

It was an incredibly lovely setting in the lush green of Bethel, VT, the food wasamazing, and the conversation was without comparison. As usual, I found myselfdrawn to the company of men, oh and a merry band it was. I like men and I enjoytheir camaraderie. It’s hard to make friends quickly and easily with women,speaking for me of course. Men on the other hand, bond in immediacy. That’swhy straight girls claim they never see it.

I do have an advantage though, a secret weapon. In the early 70’s through1988, I drove tractor trailers in the greater Boston area. I have seen the bestand the worst and everything in-between in men. And along with making an honestwage well beyond what the average woman was making, I learned to handle men. Allof my ex-husbands complained about it.

By now my partner was looking for me and when seated, leaned and whispered,“All I have to do is find a group of men and there you are.” Shesmiles and dives into her salad. I cannot help laughing at the statement made tome so many times by all the ex’s.

Now the great thing about my partner is she too enjoys the company of men andthis makes complete sense to her. Now I am certainly not trying to suggest thatI made no effort to enjoy the company of women, only that it once again seemed todivide up according to sex, with a little blending here and there. And we madenew friends of both too, but we sat with the guys.

The fellow to my right was inspired by my sober attitude and we both shuddered tothink of me with a buzz. John Malkovich sat directly across being Dustin inDisguise. He thinks I won’t remember. I did. Stephen with a “ph”enjoyed my little reminisce down memory lane with a horse I called Spaghetti Headamong other things. My day was made, however, with the revealing tale of thenow-retired doctor who made out laxative orders as a young man, and signed themBM. I agree! Anything that gets a charge out of a Mother Superior deserves 40years of use. I guess retelling that story is part of the fun too. Go, BM, go!

So by the time this hits the print, Pride Month will be over. I have enjoyed thebutton Kelsey Flynn gave me at the Northampton Pride March, May 5, 2001 andBurlington, VT will be mine to treasure in a host of warm memories after June15-17th.

Sadly for some Americans, there is no honor in being gay.

July 4, 2001 looms ahead and still we have Americans in the United States notfree. I live in the State of New Hampshire. The motto? Live free or die. Whenmy partner was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance, I was adamant that I belisted as next of kin. Why should I have to make any extraordinary effort to berecognized?

My dad knew in 1956 that the armed services had gay men and women. How comeColin Powell and John McCain don’t know? And only the Air Force has lowernumbers to report of gays being dismissed under the “don’t ask,don’t tell” policy for the year 2000. Maybe someone should tell theArmy, Navy, and the Marine Corps that it really does take more that just a FEWGOOD MEN to keep a country free and safe.

And how about the great man from the little state that just swung the balance ofpower in a profound manner. All you Log Cabin Republicans can just roll over,thank you. It is not going to be the sweet ride down TRASH EVERYTHING LANE youhad originally anticipated.

Oh and now my big dilemma? Where should I put my $300.00 tax refund so it willbe to my best advantage?