My friend Alexandra Billing’s speech at the Human Rights Campaign Dinner

3 Responses to My friend Alexandra Billing’s speech at the Human Rights Campaign Dinner

1. regina Bartkoff says:

   June 7, 2018 at 6:16 pm

   Sheila

   Oh my goodness! How does she do that without writing anything down?! She’s so naturally hilarious, I think she said “I live in THE Hollywood” that just cracked me up, and so much more stuff, all off the cuff. Finding humor with abusive cops!, “I thought it was the Fashion Police.” hahaha! But she goes on to say stuff that I’ve been thinking about a lot, having my sisters, whom I love, and who are Trump supporters! We keep the lines open, believe it or not, we listen to each other. Of course every once in a while there is a “WTF are you talking about?!” But we do it. Also, when Billings was saying things like calling people stupid and all, “it’s not helping.” “they are just misinformed.” Then she actually comes up with how to help. Be active! Her “You are a child of God speech” just completely knocked me out too. I’ve heard that one a few times, but never like that. I got chills.There is so much joy in her!

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2. Donna says:

   August 5, 2018 at 4:10 am

   A couple of hours ago I came on your site trying to look up a video you have posted before about Elvis. It is a woman folk singer and a man, but keep hearing the tune in my head but can’t remember the words or title.
   Instead of finding that video I have experienced hours of amazing videos and your incredible writing. I feel smarter for having been here.
   This posting of your friend was very healing for me to hear. I recall her from previous writings of yours, didn’t you two go to the Scientology Center together one time?
   I too came out in the 1970’s. Walking around as a butch dyke is Springfield, Mo. was an act of revolution. We do have so much history and it is so much better today because my generation fought, but I see many of my age tired. We lost so many to AIDS. I recently saw Angels in America on Broadway and the men my age, along with me, were in tears.
   We did reach out and care for each other back then and I agree with your friend that our survival depends on us reaching out even more today. Thanks for an evening of thought-provoking posts.

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   • sheila says:

     August 12, 2018 at 9:55 am

     Donna – hello! Before I get to your beautiful comment, here’s the clip you were looking for:

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FM8ui2ByUI

     Thank you so much for reading my site and commenting. It means a lot to me!

     // We did reach out and care for each other back then and I agree with your friend that our survival depends on us reaching out even more today. //

     Being in touch with a collective history is so important. (On a side note – just had a funny interaction on Twitter with a young woman who had no idea what “Ms.” represented – the history of “Ms.” – as opposed to Mrs. or Miss – seems kind of an important cultural moment in feminism – also there’s Ms. Magazine – but somehow this knowledge has not been passed down to her. We are all stronger when we acknowledge the fights of those who came before.)

     Thank you so much for your comment.

     Reply

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