New Direction and Adventure!

 I've created a new blog website to encompass this new adventure. Join me as I continue to celebrate a part of my retirement to more traveling and on my own terms. 

Visit my new blog website, appropriately called, Edgar Would Go! https://edgarwouldgo.com/

San Francisco City Hall Pride Weekend

AIDS Walk San Francisco starts up again!

Starts again! 

Please help me raise funds for AIDS Walk San Francisco! This will be the year to break all of previous years of fundraising. This year's goal is a memorable one, $2,025!

https://sf.aidswalk.net/edgar

Sunday, July 20th 
San Francisco, Golden Gate Park 

Who Benefits

Supporting Many Voices: Co-Beneficiary Teams Program 

AIDS Walk San Francisco recognizes that no one organization can meet all the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS. That is why the event emphasizes not one voice, but many voices; not just services in one city; but rather the Bay Area wide effort to bring this epidemic to an end. 

Through the Co-Beneficiary Teams Program, AIDS Walk San Francisco makes available the highly successful infrastructure used by its Teams Department to organize corporate and community involvement in the event. These organizations participate as fundraising teams in AIDS Walk San Francisco at no cost to themselves, and they keep a majority of the funds they raise. 

In 2024, through all of the hard work of Walkers like you, 100% of money raised by each of the Co-Beneficiary teams was able to be awarded back. We also were proud to give additional grants to each team as well. We hope, with the dedication and support from all of our participants, we are able to achieve the same success this year.

San Francisco Pride Parade Does Not Disappoint

 After two years of minimal and cautious participation in pride parade, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this year's parade was close to full revival. Known as a world famous parade which is held every year in June in San Francisco,  this year was a welcome return to celebrating pride for the LGBTQ+ community. And what a great parade march along Market Street it was!

Marching with the UCSF contingent

Thousands of spectators attended as well as hundreds marched in celebration. As a march participant for my employer, we were at least 200+ strong. It was a bit overwhelming with the crowds cheering all marchers on. Once we march around the corner to head along Market Street, I got comfortable holding our employer banner, UCSF with Pride! It's my second year marching and it felt so gratifying and liberating!

This march was especially important as our transgender community has been under so much attack, it was definitely a reminder we need to be heard and be seen. We can't take anything for granted. We cannot go back in the closet, we've come too far to be put in our place. UCSF t-shirts printed, "PRIDE IS PROTEST". I think many spectators got the message as the cheers were loud and encouraging! I'm proud to be part of this event as we need to all be one when it comes to challenges to our community. All we want is to be accepted and be visible to the community and the world in general. 

Let's hope next year will be a bigger and more positive pride march,  I think it will be! 

https://sfpride.org/

Landmark Supreme Court Ruling on LGBTQ Rights

Today was a historic victory for the LGBTQ community. The United States Supreme Court voted 6-3, ruled that it is illegal for an employer to fire someone because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

I find it so satisfying on Pride month that this ruling comes through in a  positive light. The last few months have been quite stressful for many of us with the Coronavirus epidemic, economy, and social discord. It's a start to more hopeful things to come. 

Source: CBS News 

Movie Review: Judy

I recently watched the premier movie of Judy, the life of Judy Garland, an American actress and singer. The film starred actress, Renée Zellweger known for her 1990s' movie hit, "Jerry McGuire". 

The film was set in her waning years of her life. The film director, Rupert Goold selects a period in which Garland is in her most fragile and vulnerable. The film shows flashbacks as a child actor to her present day superstar status. Undoubtedly, this side of Garland is closely examined in the film at times unbeknownst to her beloved fans.

The start of the film provided a calming introduction to Judy Garland's current state of mind. She has her children with her and has them be part of her act and see her role as promising and uplifting. The film settles you into the realities of her real life as the film director chooses to change course for a more dark and unsuspecting side of Garland.

I personally thought I would expect a film about the famous Judy Garland to be a more "rags to riches" episode. Sadly, the film takes a more vulnerable route to lead us to the real Judy.  But I think in fairness, understanding the side of Garland was more noteworthy. Actress, Zellweger gives a stellar performance portraying Garland. Coupled with her natural acting abilities, and singing prowess, the “red” shoe fits perfectly for her role of Judy Garland. Of the songs that were sung in the film “Over the Rainbow” was the most touching of all. The song encompassed all of Judy Garland’s overall hopes and dreams clearly addressed in the magical lyrics made for the film, “The Wizard of Oz”.

I don’t know how Judy Garland became a gay icon, but clearly the film lightly presents this in the type of fans she draws. Could it be the untimely death in 1969 in which the Stonewall Inn riots occurred in the same year? This remains to be seen.

Overall, the film was touching, tearful, and memorable. As I exited the theater, I began to hum one of her songs, as I am not a gifted singer, humming was much more respectful.

If you’re in the mood for nostalgia for her signature songs, check it out, it’s worth it to spend “face time” in front of a movie screen, as you place your phone on do not disturb mode.  

Movie trailer: https://binged.it/359K2dq