Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > All Things Brokeback: Books, Interviews and More
Annie Proulx recognized for Leadership by National G/L Task Force
Lynne:
On May 6, Annie Proulx is to be honored at a Leadership Awards dinner in Washington, D.C. hosted by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
"The D.C. dinner May 6 honors Sen. Russ Feingold, Pulitzer Prize winning author Annie Proulx, Food & Friends and Rep. John Conyers Jr. A possible presidential contender, Feingold is one of only four senators to openly endorse same-sex marriage. During that dinner, the Task Force will also unveil its new Honor Roll, to track which senators support our equal rights."
http://www.newyorkblade.com/2006/5-1/viewpoint/editorials/editorial.cfm
Lynne:
This article is a followup that describes the National Gay Lesbian Task Force awards dinner, where Annie Proulx was one of several people honored. I am excerpting the section about Annie Proulx and her comments here:
[Proulx]...appeared somewhat bashful as she took the lectern, her soft monotone a sharp contrast to the other speakers' styles. ''They never told me I'd have to say something, but I will,'' she deadpanned.
Proulx, in from Wyoming for the awards dinner, spoke about her stretch of the country as a ''mean, spare, hard'' place. ''It's a tough place. I like it because it's a tough place. Its beauty is hard and subtle."
That hardness comes with a particular challenge.
"People don't really disturb the ancient traditions of rural places, and that's too bad," she said. "You really have to take a look at what's not right, and not support the status quo.''
She closed with an invitation, observing that there are many GLBT people from her part of the country, but that they often leave her rough terrain in favor of gay-friendly cities. With an apparent desire to turn that tide, she imparted, ''If any of you are contemplating a move to the country, do it.''
Here is a link to the full text: http://www.metroweekly.com/gauge/?ak=2109
-Lynne
TJ:
I think that Annie Proulx's invitation for folks to move to, or even back to, the country is a good suggestion.
Lynne:
--- Quote from: TJ on May 12, 2006, 04:30:05 pm ---I think that Annie Proulx's invitation for folks to move to, or even back to, the country is a good suggestion.
--- End quote ---
TJ - Please tell us some of your reasoning that moving or returning to the country is a good idea. What is it about the rural life that appeals to you?
I've had both at different times....middle of nowhere rural TN until 23, then 8 years in Boston to work and futher my education - and I LOVED Boston, but now 7 years I'm back where I began, only rural has become suburbia and strip malls with little of a city's redeeming qualities.
-Lynne
TJ:
--- Quote from: Lynne on May 12, 2006, 05:21:40 pm ---TJ - Please tell us some of your reasoning that moving or returning to the country is a good idea. What is it about the rural life that appeals to you?
-Lynne
--- End quote ---
Well, some of the happiest times that I have had in my life, even after I became an adult, have been out in the country.
I do live in an apartment complex which is on a street that dead-ends in about a block to the east of the property. There are 8 properties, 4 on each side of the street, which are 2 or more acres in size. And each of them are zoned for horses. Right at the end of the street is a stable on the property on the north side of the street. I have some pics store in my computer which I took down there a few years ago.
Here is a link to one of those pics. I hope it works:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71178390@N00/145266202/
For several years (until earlier this year) the 2 1/2 acre property just east of the apartment complex was for sale at a very reasonable price. If I had been on regular Service-Connected Disability and also living right where I am at the moment, I would have bought the place with a VA insured loan. While I do suffer from Vietnam War Zone Related PTSD, I have never been officially diagnosed by the VA for that. "Officially" as far a my income goes, I have a VA Non-Service Connected Disability Pension which supplements my Social Security. But, I do have a low percentage disability service-connected disability and that is connected to an injury I sustained in Basic Training.
I do like it in the country with modern conveniences and if I were able to do so I would have an acreage out in the country. I would have to have one of more persons to live with me and they be able to drive. I would have a garden and I would like to have team of miniature horses and a small covered wagon. It would be fun to drive that in the Tulsa Diversity Pride Parade each June or even at a gay rodeo when there is one in town.
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