Gay Place

GAYLY FOURTHWARD Or, as that line from The Boys in the Band goes, "Give me Librium or give me meth!" We are conundrums, we gay Americans. Nothing like a national holiday to remind us of what we have and have not, when it comes to full citizenship and rights in this country we love so much. How will you celebrate this Fourth of July?

"I have no plans, but if I had a choice, I'd be making out on my balcony with an adorable girl and creating our own fireworks." Tamicka Phillips, editrix, Emos Anonymous Zine

"I'll probably be working! hehehehee ... BORING!" Ceci Gratias, Site Street

"Reading Frederick Douglass' Fourth of July speech before physically celebrating the Supreme Court's Lawrence v. Texas decision." Matt Korn, Equality Across America

"Visiting the oil disaster on the Gulf Coast to deliver relief and cleanup supplies on behalf of Austin citizens." Abe Louise Young, poet/activist/journalist

"I will be celebrating Fourth of July at Oilcan Harry's. Chris Cox will be DJ'ing and he's absolutely amazing!" Larry Davis, Oilcan Harry's

"I will be rocking my Pride Socks!" Rachel Smith, CEO, Pride Socks

"I'll be celebrating old-school: with a small BBQ in the backyard Saturday, and then shakin' it at the Glitterbeast Hiroshima MASHUP over at the ND!" Nakia, Nakia LLC

"Watching fireworks, eating veggie dogs, and being thankful my state representative, Valinda Bolton, is a champion for equality in Texas." Lindsay Marsh, Field Organizer, Equality Texas

"I plan on waking up late with my GF. Heading to the fireworks stand to load up on fireworks. Then off to blow shit up literally and figuratively, Hopefully water is involved, as my ass will be covered in sweat from the 100 degree bullshit. That and then maybe late-night dancing at the Glitterbeast gay apocalypse freak-out party at the ND? Is that too much detail?" Beth Schindler, general manager, Birds Barbershop

"I am going to be wearing my patriotism as if it were a pelt from a beast that seemed intangible on the hunt, earned on the backs of many, the dull spectrum of identities represented in the best opportunity of a country we got going on the planet." Jason Rosen, no affiliation

"I'm sitting on the [Galveston] Seawall with my family and kids watching fireworks over the ocean ... that happily does not yet have oil in it! A perfect July 4th!!!" Cliff Redd, executive director, the Long Center

Personally, as Ms. Beth says above, your friendly neighborhood Gay Place will be doing everything we can to "blow shit up literally and figuratively" as well and wish you and yours the best and most queerly satisfying happy Fourth of July! (For the full text of these and other contributing revelers, please check The Gay Place Blog: austinchronicle.com/gayplaceblog.)