Tuesday, June 22, 2021

TWO COUPLES

 

This year with many of the Pride celebrations and festivals still on hiatus as the pandemic is closing down, had me thinking , not another year without a Pride festival and a time to wear our Pride, and be at one with the community, taking to the streets. But this year I found myself enjoying the Pride season more so then many of the last few years. While getting back out slowly, I have found myself talking and immersing myself more with folk, and finding out and learning about other parts of the LGBT. Two couples have inspired me and opened me up even more so. It's been nice to see and hear what makes others tick.  It's been great to sit and hear stories and first hand accounts of couples... who are shaping the community around them. I have known of Qui Qui Musarra and her longtime partner Eldie Hower from Harrisburg, but since going back to work regularly for my good friend at his shop, I've had a chance to mingle more with her and her partner, and they are a complete riots. You know lesbians love to drink.

Qui Qui has been an integral part of Harrisburg's culinary scene for nearly 25 years now, not to mention rehabbed almost an entire city block with her dinning establishments, Mangi Qui, Rubcion, and Suba, not to mention opened a booth recently at the Broad Street Market.

 One of her places even replaced an old shuttered gay bar! The trio of restaurants she runs with longtime partner Elide and another business partner, are not only the L in the LGBTQ,  but also,  all- woman owned establishments. Qui is the head chef while Eldie creates desserts influenced by her native Brazil. 

Qui was born in Hoboken, NJ,  and patronized many NYC restaurants. Her parents were active in cultural activities and the family traveled extensity, including a summer home in Puerto Rico. She returned to the states in 97 by way of Panama with Eldie in tow, and were always out from the get go. Since then,  they have charmed the neighborhood with there presence, not to mention given a small section of Harrisburg a excellent dinning experience and are known for their artful consistent food and wine recommendations, artisan cocktails, solid service, and wonderful music and ambiance. Everyone from artist, musicians, families, couples and politicians dine there, and don't blink an eye.


I first became familiar with Doug at the Woods Campground through my good friend Winfred two years ago. Doug is an American screenwriter and film director, best known for bringing his trilogy of Bear City movies to screen, really giving fun stories, centered around the bear community, which had not been featured much in films to that point. One was even filmed at the Woods Campground, with many I know being extras.

 And is Doug a hand full!!! A real live wire. He doesn't have an off switch. This last time at camp we had some great discussions around the campfire about the bear community, chubby chasers, and why so many can't move past a "type", move outside of their regular circles, and which ever part I belong too. lol. I think we concluded I might be a fox. LMAO! Another guy was there named Rodger, who was one of the major figures in bringing the bear community out into the open. I learned so much I never knew about bears, and like wise, for them not knowing how the drag stigma has so many guys on edge when it comes to dating. They all found it very surprising I don't have a type really, and I was one of the few.  But what blew me away was Doug's sweet relationship with his partner Joe....who is complete opposite of Doug. very reserved, quite and dead pan, but will whip out a zinger at him. But to see them, you can tell see their connection. Doug met Joe at Mardi Gras in Australia where Joe is from. After several visits and get togethers, Doug realized Joe was it. And he didn't let 10,000 miles stop him.
Doug decided that he would give Joe the cinematic proposal he deserved with the help of a Ipad and the kindness of strangers. Posting on Social media he said  he wrote "When the love of your life is 10 thousand miles away, you need a really big screen to propose marriage. And he did just that, right in Times Square. 


And I'm here to tell you, the Woods would not be the same with them!!! I already can't wait to hang with them again That's been some of my Pride so far, getting to know other parts of the community and be a sponge and learn. It's been meaningful. Even without Prides, we can still make a difference. And with that free money of not partying, drinking and hotels why not donate to a few gay charities. I finally had time to watch the Stonewall Safe Spaces Concert.

It was excellent and very moving...chalk full of drag queens and talent from all walks of life. You can go to the Stonewall Inn Give Back Initiative to check out the video and the box to donate, which are still being taken. Or just google other charities to give. It's Gay pride after all!!! 

 

38 comments:

  1. Very Nice! Thanks so much for showcasing Harrisburg and what we have to offer!

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    1. I have been to all three, and they are all excellent.

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  2. Might be?? No, Mads, you ARE a fox. Trust me I know! 😋

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  3. A moving post about exceptional people. And, oh that video. I’ve got tears in my eyes.

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    1. I did too and only because Doug is so crazy....its a sweet soft side. They both so fun to be around.

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  4. I love these stories of our community and our diversity; we are not one thing.

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  5. That sounds like a lovely way to enjoy Pride. Doug's proposel got me choked up. And would you believe we ate at Mangui Qui years ago when in Harrisburg visiting friends. Nice to know it's still there and had no idea of the owners. How neat! Heartwarming post...and your right...why stay to one circle?

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    1. For me, life is a giant spice rack....try them all!

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  6. Thanks for this wonderful post, Mistress -- so uplifting and touching -- wow, that proposal video rocks!

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  7. How Fabulous was THAT!....I think I got some great neighbors.

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  8. You do have a type: "possesses a dick". Jx

    PS a lovely pair of real-life stories there.

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  9. I love the Bear City movies! Absolutely love them. So jealous that you got to meet the director!!

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    1. Doug is an amazing guy and so incredibly full of life. I may never have met him if not for being at the Woods.

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  10. I've watched all the Bear City movies! They're a riot.
    I like Bears. They seem to be the least complicated people in the world. They're also very sensual. I should know. I've dated two.
    I love the idea of supporting LGBTQ businesses. And Lesbians Who Drink is the name of my punk rock band!

    XOXO

    p.s. I don't think I have a 'type' either. I'm just slutty. LMAOOOO

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    1. Me too! I surmise we may get into a lot of trouble left together.

      I have only been with two bears...and they came together.

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    2. They “came together”? In unison? That’s always so hot.

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    3. MITCHELL......Your so bad!!!!!

      But that would have been hot. But the two bears were a couple. I met one and we seemed to have had many interest and hit it off... and then he told me he had a partner. Caught me off guard, told me they were a package deal... but then I thought, Oh....what the hell, you only live once.

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  11. Two lovely stories! Good to read that you're getting out and about and learning stuff.
    Sx

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  12. omg I loved this! I have the feeling you have a very diverse and colorful circle. I too saw the Stonewall Safe Concert...it was pretty cool to watch.

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    1. I absolutely loved Desmond is Amazing's performance. And I adore him even more for impersonating Lady Kier and Deelite. He is beyond mature and so smart for his age. He is with it.

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  13. The one thing we miss about living in Harrisburg...Mangai Qui! That place id sooooo good.

    What heart warming stories. We have yet to see the Bear City movies, but how cool you know the guy.

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  14. Loved this post. Pride is not always about the party, parade and festival...it's about learning and expanding our understanding. What a great way to celebrate Pride. Enjoyed this. Not to mention how cool the all women owned business is.

    And these lesbians love to drink here, hell yes!

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  15. Great post. Timely. Thanks for the insight. How wonderful that you're broadening your circles! The sign of an evolving person! Kizzes.

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    1. I an equal opportunity slut for all.

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  16. I agree. Nice post. And I have learned we need to move outside our circles, and have a great group of all types as friends and stop this click stuff. I feel the community is not as come together as we should be. And I love those movies henny! That Doug is sexy as hell! Do they want a third????

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  17. I hope you don't mind if I ask few questions...Smaller town pride evernts, I guess they have them. I would like to hear about them. Could you sometime do a post on them? And at pride are they eduacational thing happening?
    Coffee is on and stay safe

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    1. Ask away Dora! That is why we are here. More and more smaller town are having Prides. Doylestown here, and New Hope where I live are not big towns by any means. While New Hope always had a Pride because of the size of it's gay community, Doylestown only started having their own in the last three years. And there are many educational things at Pride festivals, but whether the LBGT take advantage of them is another story. To some it just all fun and games.

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  18. Thank you for sharing these stories, and I remember seeing that first Bear movie on Logo back when they actually showed movies.

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  19. OMG, I was so distracted by your new Banner I could barely concentrate on your wonderful Post about all of these Friends of the Community that have influenced it so!

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    1. You must have gotten tired of scrolling up and down???? ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    2. How did you know? *Winks* I think I might get carpel tunnel visiting while you have that Banner up! *Ha ha ha*

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  20. Thank you for introducing us to these couples. Their stories are inspiring. And as I get olde I get more emotional. The proposal video brought happy tears to my eyes. Either that, or I sprung a leak.

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    1. I got to me too, because know what a fun guy Doug is and always so funny, to see that side caught me off. And the two of them are so fun to watch as Joe gets appalled half the time.

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  21. What a beautiful proposal! So sweet. I love all of your stories about your area.

    Love,
    Janie

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!