The Wild Reed: Out and About

Monday, December 31, 2012

Out and About – December 2012

After all the energy and work expended this past year-and-a-half on defeating the Minnesota 'marriage amendment,' I have to admit I was really looking forward to a quiet and restful December. By and large, this indeed has been the case for me. However, the month definitely got off to a rather intense start – in a positive way – with a trip to Washington, D.C.

I traveled to the capital to be part of a gathering of faith leaders from across the country. It was basically a marriage equality "debrief," one expertly organized and hosted by the Human Rights Campaign. We gathered to acknowledge and celebrate recent advances in marriage equality in our respective states, and to strategize and plan for further nationwide advances in the journey toward full equality for LGBT individuals, couples and families.

For more about this energizing and inspiring gathering, click here.

Above and left: Two images taken just days after Winter Storm Caesar dumped around 11 inches of snow on the metro area of the Twin Cities.

For more images, click here.

It's always kinda tough being away from family at Christmas. All the more reason I'm so grateful for the many friends I have here in Minnesota who have taken me in as a member of their respective families!

Above: Christmas Eve with friends James, John, Alicia, Phil, Curtis and Noelle.

Right: Ainslie, Phil, Mike and Jacob.

Left: Mike and Kim.

Above: The ever noble-looking Quinn!

Right: "Hello, Charlie!"

Left: Eddie the Wonder Dog!.

I can't tell you how much I love these three fellas – Quinny, Charlie and Eddie! Spending time with them nourishes my soul. They are such special creatures and, according to their owners, they respond to me like they do to no other people they regularly encounter! We definitely share a very special bond, and I consider that a real gift.

Above: Friends Lisa, Theresa and Kate.

Right: With friends and fellow Catholicc for Marriage Equality MN board members Brent and Lisa. You may recall that Brent and Lisa feature in C4ME-MN's video series Catholics for Marriage Equality.

Above: Friends Tom and Pepperwolf.

The above three photo were taken at a special Boxing Day fundraising event for St. Stephen's Human Services, a 501c3 nonprofit that helps thousands of people secure housing and other support services.