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    A James Schwartz Gossip Blog

    Poetic News / A Kalamazoo Night-life GLBTQ Media Outlet

    November 24, 2009

    John & James: Random Roundtable!

    "Your people, the Amish, despite their error, are the most successful resistors in this country today. You, in your error and your fervor to bring change to them, are a weapon which others are eager to wield against them. You do not see the entire equation. You do not understand the precarious balance. Your people love you and their conscience is hurt by what they have been forced by their mistaken belief to do to you. They cannot accept you without rejecting their belief. I think that you know all of this and that your reveling demonstrates a hurt conscience and desire to make sure that they will never accept you no matter how hard you try to change them. I think that all you really want is the life you had as a child and that you know you never can have it again because, although it was real, you lived it in ignorant bliss. I think that your having immersed yourself in the “gay world” is your way of “killing yourself”, so that you will not be able to harm your people. I wish you well in this." --John (blogger)

    "I feel the civil rights movement should be all inclusive so the Amish have all resources available i.e. The Trevor Project. It is not my intention to upset the apple cart...only use my position as artist to open dialogue on the issue." --JS


    "You mentioned that I gave you a lot to think about and that if I cared to add anything to my “review” you would update it. You referred, in one of your blogs and/or comments to others, to the possibility of your writing a book. In one of your comments you said something to the effect that you were thinking about it but poetry is a jealous mistress. In your note on my review, you mentioned “civil rights” and I get the impression that being a political issue you feel it requires a degree of precision that you may not be able to give it in a book. That your facility with poetry, if applied to writing a book, might be like a sledgehammer. These are things bouncing around in my head that seem to be adding up to this idea I seem to be having.

    One thing that comes out of it is that poetry is a good way to describe the indescribable. Could it be that you sense the book that you want write cannot be written in the way that you think a book should be written? That your preference of poetry, which you feel is an obstacle to writing a book, is a misinterpretation of your intuition? That your ideas of both poetry and “book writing” are too rigid and that what is needed is a kind of blurring of the lines or a poetic approach to writing a book? Some of the most indescribable things are feelings and subjective experience.

    Civil Rights seems to me to be a factual domain for lawyers and journalists, who are like the prime movers of change. But they are really the finishers. A journalist’s facts can lead to legislation, but neither journalist’s nor lawyers set up the end game. They just play it out. They do not change the “hearts and minds.” It is the story of the people for who change is needed that really effects public consciousness. The story rendered poetically, in terms that allow people to perceive another disparate individual as themselves.

    I think the best kind of poetry is that which does not present itself as such. The kind that sneaks up on you and makes itself felt rather than heard. It is a profound meaning which leaps upon one from the midst of prosaic discourse. A sort of poetry in motion. Even a sort of witchcraft, if you will. A guileful hidden purpose like the last move in a game of chess, which instead of trapping and defeating one, removes personal barriers and releases their compassion. Of course, this is dangerous ground and one is well advised of caution. It may be just my prejudice, but I think that one of the most important cautions is to ignore the journalists and lawyers, because facts and laws are only as good as the awareness of the people they represent, as the actuality of the hearts and minds which is the true factor of enforcement or regulation of those who are not aware.

    Anyway, I think that the role of the artist is to render his or her own awareness in a way that personally involves the public. And the best artist is the one whose awareness is of his or her own experience. Those who do not have their own experience to draw on, who go around looking for stories to tell or pictures to paint, are journalists. They have their art but it is disconnected, a step removed, from reality. This is the greatest caution – that art should be real. Otherwise it is a lie. This is most of the art we see now which is driving so-called change. We can see this in the way that nothing really changes. Rather, the change is people getting more and more insensitive to each other and further and further removed from reality. And it is getting harder and harder to see anything with all of this art going on. But then, all I know is books and movies, if only as far as reading and watching, so maybe I don’t know much at all.

    But my idea is that our stories – our experiences and especially our feelings – are what is needed, and that maybe we can help each other tell our stories in this sort of “review venue” that you started, and maybe a book or books can somehow come out of that. Like, I, quite presumptuously and brazenly, dug into your story, and instead of getting offended, you welcomed it. Although you reacted a little defensively, it was positive. I wonder what would happen if you picked up on the questions I raised about the feelings of your Amish (antagonists?) and your own feelings? Bared your soul, so to speak. And I wonder what would happen if I started a blog with my story and you dug into that? It would certainly be different. Maybe we could call it “Dueling Blogs” :-)

    Anyway, I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. I went to my mom’s and stuffed myself. As usual, she was not happy with the stuffing, which she never makes the same way, but both me and my brother Tom thought it was great and the bird was tender and juicy, so that made her feel better. I got in a screaming match with Tom later over my “conspiracy theories,” which really irritates him sometimes. We were out in the garage where he watches television and smokes, so mom did not hear it. When he grabbed a stick and threatened to brain me, I told him that might be the best way to convince him of the effect that the wrestling crap he calls “entertainment” has on his mind. I always needle him because he just sits there being “programmed” without thinking anything of it. Not needling him, per se. I just “interpret” things that come across the damn box from time to time, just a few words here and there to challenge the hypnotic suggestions and try to create doubt. Just a little monkey wrench into the works to interrupt the flow. They are just drops in the bucket, but as Robert Jay Lifton pointed out in Thought Reform: The Psychology of Totalism, any contradiction in the information milieu can disrupt the entire process. This time, as evidenced by his extremely inappropriate response, I hit pay-dirt, which response, when I called his attention to it, itself helped me make the point to him. I matched him yell for yell and reinforced my point by telling him that I do it because I care about him. Of course, he dismissed me coldly, but after a little while I went back and we made up. I will probably never be able to get him to see the massive conspiracy of psychological warfare that we are all being subjected to, but I think I manage to somewhat mitigate its effects on both he and mom. It’s what I do. It has become my whole purpose in life, it seems. Pity I have to live like poor little Anne Frank – worse really. At least her family shared awareness of their dilemma." -- John (blogger) http://chk001000100.blogspot.com/


    "Even straight, I would not have stayed Amish. Still, I have a lot of respect for the Amish. I was always the outsider not just because I was gay but because I am a dreamer! Hence, poetry is my most natural expression but I have not ruled out a memoir or novel on the subject. I hope open dialogue and progressive thinking will benefit all the gay Amish and lead to a proactive future.
    As for conspiracy theories... did you hear the one about a woman...that was really a MAN??!" -- JS

    November 18, 2009

    Babel Yearbook 2009


    The Fountain (erotica)


    The Visit (short story)




    Literary Sleaze (expirimental)

    The Literary Party (expirimental)



    The Lesson of Love (w/ Shakespearean dedication)


    Shelley (humor)


















     

     

     

     

    October 10, 2009

    Miss Sadie's Lamplighter All Nighter!

    Kalamazoo, MI. cabaret fixture Miss Sadie chilled with the Del Rays 4th of July weekend 09 at Partners Bar (below). Chelsea Del Ray's BFF also hit Lamplighter (above) 10.9 to support her bestie and get her party on!

    Sunshine & Chelsea: Lamplighter Ladies!


    RAVER REVUE!

    Kalamazoo cabaret legends Miss Sunshine Fest and Miss Chelsea Del Ray threw down 10.9 at The Lamplighter 5301 Comstock Ave. Kzoo, MI. 49048.

    In addition to the drag divas show, rave / circuit music was DJ'd + dancers. 

    September 26, 2009

    YES on ONE KALAMAZOO!

    SUPPORT ONE KALAMAZOO!


     

    Follow One Kalamazoo on Twitter!

    September 23, 2009

    C E L E B R A T E!

    IT'S A CELEBRATION!


     

    For MI. celebrations see


     




    September 4, 2009

    Perry Brass Publishes James Schwartz Poem!

    Gay writer, poet, novelist, activist, bestseller, performer, and personality Perry Brass has published Moonlight Mileage: A Sonnet by James Schwartz on his official website Perry Brass.com.

     

    Follow Perry Brass on Twitter!


     

     

    September 2, 2009

    A James Schwartz Biography UPDATED!





    JAMES SCHWARTZ is a poet and slam performer striving for the simplicity of Cavafy mixed with modern gay wordplay and elements; Schwartz’s poetry / slam material dialogues of GLBTQ issues and affirmations of gay (night) life and love.

    James Schwartz was born 2.19.78 and raised in the Old Order Amish community in SW MI. where he currently resides.
    Schwartz is the author of several poetry chapbooks including The Scarlet Band and Other Poems (2005). Schwartz’s poetry has been published by Poetry Life and TimesThe Rainbow Gazzette, the Australian poetry / art journal OutSide the LinesThe Poet's Haven, Babel: The multilingual, multicultural online journal and community of arts and ideas , The New Verse News, Patricia Jebbah Wesley's International Poetry Blog for Peace, Perry Brass.com and Love’s Chance Magazine (Summer 2010 issue).


    Schwartz’s short stories / essays have been published by A Nite Out, Babel and I'm From Driftwood.com.


    As a slam performer Schwartz has read at The Meta Cafe, This is Fire! The Zoo Bar and the St. Joseph County MI.  Democrats’  Inauguration Day party of President Barack Obama.


    The official James Schwartz website


    James Schwartz New and Selected Poetry and Writings

    IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Marriage and Family

    While glbtq people have formed unions, partnerships, de facto marriages, and many kinds of  families for generations, one of the greatest shifts in the history of the family began in the 1990s when queer families began to insist more vocally that they receive the same societal benefits as traditional families.
    http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/family.html     

    Adolescents depend on their families economically and socially. A homosexual youth's positive or negative identity is largely determined by the parent-child relationships the youth experiences during adolescence.
    http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/adolescence.html     

    Adoption is an important way in which lesbian and gay couples create families, though there are frequently social and legal barriers to overcome.
    http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/adoption.html      

    Artificial Insemination is often used by lesbians and heterosexual single women who wish to conceive without sexual contact with males and is frequently the method of choice when gay men create families through surrogacy or co-parenting.
    http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/artificial_insemination.html     

    Boston Marriages--romantic unions between women that were usually monogamous but not necessarily sexual--flourished in the late nineteenth century between women who tended to be college-educated, feminist, financially independent, and career-minded.
    http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/boston_marriages.html      

    Children of glbtq Parents have been the subjects of more than three decades of research that has shown that children of glbtq parents are no different from peers reared in heterosexual families.
    http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/children_of_glbtq_parents.html     

    Civil Union, which confers all the rights, benefits, and responsibilities of marriage on same-sex couples, was established in Vermont in 2000. Same-sex marriage superseded civil unions there in 2009, but other states continue to permit civil unions while prohibiting same-sex marriage, an arrangement many activists describe as "separate but equal."
    http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/civil_union.html      

    Same-sex Commitment Ceremonies are similar to heterosexual weddings. They are legally recognized in some countries, but generally not in the United States.
    http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/commitment_ceremonies.html      

    Custody Litigation between gay and lesbian parents has faced almost unremitting hostility in the courts of some states while others have declared that glbtq parents have the same rights and responsibilities as other parents.
    http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/custody_litigation.html      

    Domestic Partnership is the generic term for a variety of forms of legal and institutional recognition of same-sex couples that fall short of same-sex marriage.
    http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/domestic_partnerships.html      

    Many glbtq people reject a fixed definition of Family imposed by society, while others insist their intimate relationships are the same as traditional marriages.
    http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/family.html
         
    The Gay Rights Movement in the U. S. developed after World War II and has grown in size, diversity, and visibility since the Stonewall Riots of 1969. Since its inception, the movement has addressed many different issues important to glbtq communities. Its recent focus on marriage rights emerged during the 1990s and continues to drive much contemporary political activism.
    http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/gay_rights_movement.html
    http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/stonewall_riots.html

    The plight of Sharon Kowalski (b. 1947) and Karen Thompson (b. 1956) brought into sharp focus an issue that many able-bodied gay men and lesbians had never considered: the importance of giving legal status to their chosen families.
    http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/kowalski_thompson.html      

    New Right groups, along with the Roman Catholic hierarchy, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), and Evangelical Christians, are the most vocal and visible opponents of same-sex marriage.
    http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/new_right.html
    http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/roman_catholicism.html
    http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/church_of_jesus_christ_of_latter_day_saints.html
    http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/evangelical_christians.html
    http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/same_sex_marriage.html

    While Parenting has risen in importance in glbtq communities as queer families have become more visible, glbtq people have been parents throughout history.
    http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/parenting.html      

    Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), an American organization of some 460 affiliated chapters and 80,000 members, works to support glbtq people and their loved ones.
    http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/parents_families.html     

    Same-Sex Marriage has been a goal of glbtq activists and communities since the dawn of the modern lesbian and gay civil rights movement. Relative to some other nations, progress toward same-sex marriage has been slow in the United States.
    http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/same_sex_marriage.html     

    Sexual Citizenship is a concept that draws attention to all kinds of social exclusions that various sexual communities experience including the denial of marriage rights.
    http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/sexual_citizenship.html

    August 30, 2009

    James Schwartz: Family Reunion Fun!

    STURGIS, MI.)-- SCHWARTZ SUMMER REUNION! The entire Schwartz Family reunited 8.29.09 to celebrate Amos "Dad" Schwartz's 90th birthday at Calvary Church. The 100+ crowd sang Happy Birthday, dined on the potluck lunch and got their visit on.

    August 24, 2009

    "I'm From Burr Oak, MI."


    I'm From Driftwood.com "Daily Gay, True Stories" has published I'm From Burr Oak by James Schwartz, the NEW! sequel essay to "Out& Amish".

    Follow I'm From Driftwood on Twitter! http://twitter.com/ImFromDriftwood.  

    August 21, 2009

    Some People Are Gay...Get Over It Campaign!

    Stonewall has just launched the

    August 17, 2009

    The Foxxs' Steamy Summer! Their Partners PDA!


     
    Kalamazoo cabaret legend Amber Foxx joined the "Drag Factor" show at Partners 8.15. Fresh from her PRIDE 09 triumph, a career highlight, Foxx strutted the Partners runway to "Rumors" by Linday Lohan!

    Between numbers, Foxx cuddled with partner Jeff and sipped cocktails. The Foxxs' upped the ante with an onstage makeout session and confirmed the rumors: it's love, love, love!

    Partners: "Drag Factor" Divas!

    Partners: "Drag Factor" Show! Dymond Denae! Madison St. Clair! Una Legend! Eva Angelica! Gwen Jordan! Amber Foxx! Dylan Guage! Baby Boi!

    August 6, 2009

    April Hoskins' Baby Surprise!


    JACKSONVILLE, FL.)-- IT'S A GIRL! Poet April Hoskins & partner Bryan Stafford welcomed baby Emma Grace 8.5.09 in Jax. The 4lb. 15 oz. House of Hoskins heiress joins sibs Alexander, Rebecca and Gabriel! According to a source, poet, daughter and fam are all well. Emma Grace makes baby #4!

    August 5, 2009

    "Out & Amish" Review!


    JONAS REVIEWS JAMES SCHWARTZ

     

    I worked on an Amish farm as a hired hand, visited an Amish community in Honduras, almost joined the Amish church, then an Amish bishop gave me the Holy Kiss by mistake one day and I lay awake that night, sweating, unable to sleep, I had to leave the Amish, and come to terms with being gay. Glad you were able to figure it out before you got baptised…there are other Amish gays and lesbians, my cousin in Philadelphia sees a few of them now and again at the gay bars and bookstores. He says they are usually very tortured about dealing with being gay and Amish…thanks for your writing...JONAS

    July 6, 2009

    Partners: JS by Paul McNally!

    Partners: Independence Day w/ the Del Rays!

    Partners: 4th w/ House of Fest! Brianna's White Party Wear!

    June 18, 2009

    KZOO PRIDE 09: Brook & Jeff La Rai!

    KZOO PRIDE 09: Princess Dijon: Do-Gooder Diva!

    MI. drag legend and Hollywood makeup artist Princess Dijon volunteered at PRIDE and visited with Brook La Rai and JS!

    Amber & Jeff Foxx: PRIDE Party!

    KZOO PRIDE 09: Amber Foxx!

    KZOO PRIDE 09: Drag Divas! Monet St Croix, LaDonna Divine, Madison St Claire, Roshelle Rocket, Claire Voyant, Amber Foxx & GQ Joe!

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