I had a real treat today — lunch with Pam (of Pam’s House Blend), her partner Kate, and Kate’s sister Sarah. Pam and Kate are here to visit Kate’s family, and Sarah is back in town after her apartment near Biloxi was wiped out by Katrina (and Sarah, I hope I’m spelling your name correctly). We enjoyed Greek food and lots of political conversation. I filled them in on some of the progressive activities going on in Birmingham and elsewhere in Alabama, and they were pleasantly surprised to find out that there are some good things happening in the state.
Progress is slow, and it isn’t always obvious, but the pace of change isn’t as glacial as it might appear. Democrats and independents are beginning to come together to push for reforms. Just in the past year, we saw the formation of the Over the Mountain Democrats, targeted at progressives who live in the mostly Republican suburbs south and east of town, and a local chapter of the Stonewall Democrats. Equality Alabama continues to provide a voice for the LGBT community in the state, and the Equality Fund PAC works with the Legislature to keep the most egregious anti-gay bills bottled up in committee. I’m seeing more and more Bright Blue Dots on the backs of SUVs , and Roy Moore’s bid to become our next governor isn’t going as well as he hoped.
Pam is just as interesting and fun in person as she is at the House Blend, and Kate is as well-informed and articulate as you’d expect. They are a great match. Sarah is a feisty progressive with a sense of humor, and I’m glad she’s back in Birmingham. I know there’s hope for the Southeast when we have citizens like them.
Pam and Kate, I wish you safe travel. Come back soon!
UPDATE: Pam has a really nice post at the House Blend.
Awww I love the pic of the white dog…he looks so happy
Hey Kathy,
I’ll be writing up something for the Blend when I get back into town.
We had a fabulous time — we can’t wait to return and see more of the “blue dot” areas of Birmingham when we come back in the spring! Thanks for a great run-down of local politics and the ins and outs of all that you do there — it will make a difference in the lives of queer Alabamians. We’ll give you the heads-up when we plan to return.