I WAS BETTER LAST NIGHT: A MEMOIR HARVEY FIERSTEIN © 2022 Knopf 400 pages At the start of my writing journey, brimming with dreams and youthful naivety, I sent my screenplay to Harvey Fierstein. I didn’t expect a response — he was Harvey Fierstein, after all, a Broadway legend, a Tony-
Nothing can give one the truest sense of what it means to be an American, then to live through being marginalized by your fellow citizens, forming close-knit subcultures and communities, being overrun by a plague and the associated stigmas, and then finding the strength and fortitude to overcome...all
I considered running for office years ago, so I sat down and drafted a set of courageous, self-reflective questions—questions I felt I needed to answer honestly before moving forward. This wasn’t an academic exercise; it was born out of genuine concern. At the time, I was disillusioned.
There’s a quiet strength that settles in your bones when you care for your elders. Not out of obligation, but out of love—and reverence. The ancient Confucian value of filial piety has become more than a concept to me; it has shaped the arc of my adult life.
When horror and harm dominate our vision, we risk losing sight of the good that still surrounds us. And when we lose that vision, we surrender a vital source of power—one we need not only to heal, but to keep moving forward. At the Center for Trauma and Stress
Let’s be honest: a lot of us are out here running businesses… and still not calling them that. You market yourself and your services. You invoice people. You have loyal clients. You pour care, creativity, and strategy into what you do. But then, when someone asks, “What do you
Ryan Oelrich, a monthly columnist in this publication, and a well-known figure in Spokane, has thrown his hat into the ring to fill the vacant seat on the Spokane City Council. Known for his extensive community involvement and multifaceted personal and professional background, Oelrich’s candidacy offers a compelling
Zack Zappone, a proud Spokane native and current District 3 representative on the Spokane City Council, is seeking re-election to further his efforts in shaping the city’s future. Born into a working-class, union family, Zappone’s upbringing instilled in him the values of perseverance, fairness, and a
I was supposed to have a drink with an ICE agent. His wife had arranged it—she said it was important that I, and others like me, understood. She said her husband was a good man, doing a hard job for the sake of the country, and she wanted me
When people first hear I’m critical of organized religion—especially Christianity—they sometimes assume that our guest ranch might not be welcoming to people of faith. That couldn’t be further from the truth. The truth is, I care less about what God you pray to and more about
The first team sport I ever played was basketball in sixth grade at Cornerstone Academy in Helena, Montana. I didn’t exactly join the team by choice—my father declared it was time I picked a sport, and, apparently, puppetry and magic tricks didn’t qualify. Spoiler alert: I was
It started with a simple question: “Can I ask you something?” A seven-year-old, fresh off an overnight in one of our yurts, held a mug of morning cocoa like it was sacred. She’d barely slept, the anticipation of seeing the animals too strong to let rest settle
On Swift Horses is a film that pulls you in with its heartfelt story and engages you with its deep, emotional performances. Directed by Daniel Minahan and set in the sun-soaked 1950s, it’s a movie about love, identity, and the quiet battles we all face. From start to
I approached the release of Luca Guadagnino’s Queer with high expectations, hoping it would offer a profoundly moving and memorable cinematic experience. The casting of Daniel Craig in the role of a queer man was particularly intriguing. It signaled a departure from his iconic portrayal of the suave James
Imagine, for a moment, that your home is open to the public every single day. Your front door: an invitation. Your daily routine: subject to interruption by a stranger seeking an experience and connection. Now, add to that the responsibility of hosting overnight guests. We sometimes say teasingly that we
Richard Vyse is considered one of the most revered names in Gay erotica. His art delves into profound themes of identity and sexuality, offering viewers a raw and mesmerizing perspective on intimacy. With a distinctive style that blends traditional painting techniques with contemporary overtones, Vyse’s works challenge societal norms
