Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

I am restless today, but in that quiet way where my body is still while my mind leaps from topic to topic.

The plan for today was to clean the cab of Gertie. She’s a mess. But it feels like 90 degrees outside so I’ll have to wait a few hours.

My back hurts. I injured it a few weeks ago. Yesterday, the house cleaners opted not to come so I decided against my better judgment to clean the bathroom and kitchen. Sweeping and mopping are not easy on your back. Nor is moving things around for said sweeping and mopping. I did pretty well, until I got to the tub.

I looked down, leaned a little over, and then did a nice but gentle full back stretch. That’s when I put away the cleaners and asked Laura to fill in for me.

For the evening, I rode with Sarah to Baldwin where we all feasted on deep dish pizza and watermelon. After some cake and desultory chit chat, Sarah read her book while Elijah and I watched a terrific anime movie called ‘Huntrix’ – it is really good. Sarah drove me home and I slid into bed after popping some Tylenol.

I woke up today with a gentle, insistent ache along my spine. I made coffee, fed the cats, ate some yogurt, and watched Velsi on MSNBC. Ache still there so I decided it was going to be a low key day – some blogging, a turkey sandwich made with ingredients from the foodpantry, at least the sour dough bread, lettuce, and tomato. I’ve almost polished off my sangria knockoff – it was packed with fruit this week. I accidently bit hard into a lime wedge mistaken for apple. Yow.

Now I just feel sad. Part is because I’m hurting physically so I can’t get up and hustle around some task. Part is because this is a tough month and I’d be a fool not to expect hard feelings about everything that has transpired these past two years. August 27 marks two years.

And part of me feels lonely, but in a familiar way from 23 years ago when I was single. Building a new single life at age 54 is wildly different than what I expected. I have a lot of things filling up the spaces in my life, a lot of great relationships, and projects. But there are still occasional empty spaces – like today – that feel unfamiliar and even uneasy.

So I’m going to go spend some time with the cats, take a nap, and try to get some work on Gertie done this evening.

This is where I must ask you to donate or donate again to my legal and living expenses fund. I have two active lawsuits. And I need to live.

The Family Court actions are confusing. We are at the Court of Common Pleas, might go to PA Superior Court on an existing ruling/might not. Either way, back to Family Court for the trial. Witnesses, depositions, transcripts, etc. Then another ruling. Then up to PA Superior Court (and back)  – possibly up to three times –  to get rulings addressed and then hopefully the appeal trial with expert witnesses, our friends of the court briefs, and then maybe back to Family Court to start over.

That’s tens of thousands of dollars. But I have to do everything to take care of myself and prevent the erosion of domestic partnerships in Pennsylvania. We cannot afford to lose any rights. Not a single one. And I have to stand up for myself and all that I invested in 16 years of a domestic partnership as well as a marriage.

I have to take care of myself.

The living is self-evident. I occasionally drive a borrowed vehicle. I go to a food pantry each week. Friends prepare and provide meals. But there are blog expenses. There are bills to pay. So many copays. My SSDI of $1500 doesn’t stretch far.

And my own legal fees. Defending domestic partnerships and due process (federal case) will also cost me. I need your support of these causes and my arguments.

If you believe domestic partnerships count in a marriage …

If you believe the County must follow the state Mental Health Procedures Act to ensure due process for civil commitments …

It’s a scary time to make legal arguments that defy the federal government’s point of view on the value of LGBTQ families and people with mental health disabilities.

Will you help me by donating simply $10?

GoFundMe bit.ly/HelpLGBTQBlogger

Venmo @Pghlesbian

Paypal.me/Pghlesbian

CashApp $Pghlesbian

Thank you.