GAY PRIDE-AMANDA LEPORE

We always hear of our brave trans brothers and sisters of yore, and how trailblazing they were and what they did to get where they were. But what of the current trailblazers? Amanda Lepore for me is definitely a trailblazer, and one it seems I have seen many times over the years and into the carnation she is now. No way could you go out in NYC clubbing in the late 80's and 90's and beyond and not seen or met Amanda Lepore. You would not forget her eye-popping looks and style. To me she was brave. She made and set her mind to be who she wanted and no denying she forged her own signature style. Growing up in suburban NJ during the 70's while often being bullied at school for being different, Amanda left home, and at 17 she used a legal loophole to marry a male bookstore owner who helped her get and pay for her early gender-affirming surgeries. However, the relationship, was unhappy and turned abusive, as her husband wanted to keep her locked away. Over time she would stash grocery money to escape and eventually did and move to NYC. By the early 90's she was swiftly embraced by the city's most out there nightlife and fashion scenes. She freaked out America on the talk show circuit when many trans would not even still come out in the light so to speak. Proving she is not just a Warholian embodiment of famous for being famous, hard-grafting Amanda started getting paid to just show up at clubs and parties, and appeared in the music videos of other artist, while breaking into a spokes model position with MAC and the Heatherettes, not to mention became a huge muse for David Lachapple. It was soon after her appearance with surgical enhancements would eventually morph into a more extreme vision of an old Hollywood, high glamour prototype. And a body akin to a work of art. But it works.

Spending the past 28 years gracing or performing her own music and cabaret routines at just about every notable niterie in NYC and beyond, she also found time to write a bestselling autobiography in 2017, entitled Doll Parts, and launched her own line of infamous lipsticks. I have the upmost respect for her and admiration for being that brave, leaving home with almost nothing, and NOT HIDING she was trans. Normally I'm also not into plastic surgery on people, but for some reason her Marilyn Monroe meets Jessica Rabbit works, I mean, only Amanda can pull this off. Such dedication to style and image...I mean her wigs are absolutely stunning and she always does her own make up btw. I had the pleasure to meeting her in NYC and New Hope on several occasion and she is about the most approachable, gentle and good-humored natured person you'll meet. Our clan's own Preston was even in the same yoga classes as her and said you wouldn't believe it...Amanda was there in sweats and her own hair and still looked glam! Not bad for a scared, picked on trans sister with a few bucks starting out huh? Think of the roads and inspiration she gave to future scared trans people and youth.

That is all to say, Amanda is such a fabulous one -off.

PRIDE LEADERSHIP- WE BELONG

 It's always a good thing to have some good news during the month of Pride, and to see what good leadership is like. And Warbucks can testify for the happy feeling in Budapest since Orban's being outsed. 

Last year, Budapest's mayor risked prosecution to make sure Prude could still happen. This week thanks to the courts and the new Prime Minster Peter Maygar the charges against him were dropped. Mayor Gergely Karacsont became an international symbol  of resistance in 2025 after Hungray's government attempted to ban Budapest Pride under controversial anti-LGBTQ legislation. Rather then cancel the event, Karacsony helped reclassify it as a municipal event and encourage people to show up anyway, in which they did ...in huge numbers. Remember shots of the Budapest Bridge packed end to end with people and overflowing into the city? An estimated 300,000 people filled the streets in what became not only one of the larger pride marches in the city's history but also a major protest against the vile Victor Orban and his government. Afterwards Karacsony was charged for helping organize the event. Now the charges are dropped. For many LGBT + Hungarians, this isn't just a legal victory. It's a reminder that Pride happened anyway. That people showed up anyway. That sometimes the people who try to ban visibility end up making it even more visible.

On the same note...

As Prime Minster Peter Magayr continues the Pride. as he embracing the nations LGBTQ . Under the reign of ultra-right wing Orban, Pride parades were bans by the nation's government in 2025.  Keeping his promise, Magyar threw out the legislation. Now due to Magyar and others appointed in the new government the LGBTQ people of Hungary can now celebrate and be in the community without fear of persecution.

Meanwhile, over in the Nertherlands....yet another great and out leader. Prime Minster and President Rob Jetten.

As far as President Jetten is concerned June is Pride Month, but as far as he and the Netherlands is concerned, every month is Pride month. As it should be. Bravo to these leaders.

What leaders' looks like ...and not playing a selfish child who wants to play grown up, with circus like talents, running a country with drama and a bunch of bullshit with his name of things and UFC fights on the lawn of the White Trash House.

Happy Pride!

MOOD BOARD

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USUAL SUSPECTS IN THE GARDEN

It's been a warm sunny and downright glorious weekend! What with being away the last two weekends, I had much to do in the garden, especially deadheading various specimens to get even more blooms. The garden has had a wonderful spring, and things seem to grow leaps and bounds which seems to be overnight even. The wildflower garden in getting very tall and there are going to be oodles of a variety of blooms in it, along with the Cassia. Two days spent in the garden with one more day to relax. I told the showroom I would not be in Monday, put me in for a personal day. The beauty of my job is I could work four 10 hour days a week if I wanted and take off Mondays or Fridays, but a 10 hour day is long. Nonetheless... the garden of late.

This Centaurea Montana has been a great addition to the garden this year. And has already doubled in size. It gets full sun and is very good in heat and is very drought tolerant.

The columbines will be done soon till there next blooming.

A new suspect! A Greenback Woodpecker

Sea thrifts

The Clematis and Alliums are giving a spectacular showing this spring.

The spring dahlias

Campanula bellfower

Golden wagwort near the wildflowers

I'm not sure but this might be the start of chipmunk porn.

I put these steppingstones today in the wildflower garden so I can walk through to clip without crunching stems. To the left of the stone is where the cassia got moved this year, along with lavender, alliums, sages and dianthus . 

The delphiniums are starting to bloom in the salvia garden.

A friend of mine was here yesterday to clip my almost spent varieties of lavender and geraniums, in which she will make a lavender infused hand suave with it.

A grosbeak.

These Cleome on the side of the house finally bloomed this spring.

Happy to report that Sophie Lucille is off work release and confinement...no murders of late. And alas...the last of my peonies and others from the garden till next spring.