It wasn’t long, long ago
I fooled the guards, but someone tipped them off
But all my cards aside, the bells still rang
No charms, no claims
No good for goodness sake
During the Lavender Scare of the 1950’s, people had to hide their sexuality to keep their jobs, to keep themselves safe, to keep themselves alive. What does that do to someone? What if all the stereotypical maladies that once affected gay people were symptoms of being treated in such a way?
White asparagus is not just some variant form of the green spikes most of us know so well; it’s just green asparagus that has been completely starved and deprived of light during its growing season. That doesn’t mean it is less; in fact, it contains much the same levels of fiber and nutrients and all the good things that asparagus supplies. But it looks different. It’s been through more.
Oh, I don’t wanna run and hide
I don’t wanna live a lie
I?need the spotlight
Like a bird inside a cage
Exotic, but covered up with lace
If what they say is true
There’s no place for me and you
But when I walk my walk
When I put my makeup on
Look at me, look at me
Don’t you see your queen?
During this Lilac Scare, we turn the tables on the world – boldly and defiantly and beautiful proclaiming our existence, our importance, our indelible and irrefutable presence.
Unabashed queerness on full, glorious, marvelous display.
Pride and worth and integrity.
Primal humanity in unapologetic, flamboyant poise.
When mother left, the halls did cry
As for the world, it went on like before
But time passed, and the band began to play
First, there was light, then there was sound
Then all the stars came out
Some have warned that this is not the time to speak out and attract notice. Some have said it’s better to be silent, to take no side, to make no noise. Some have never even more wrong. This moment in history calls upon us to be more ourselves than we’ve ever been before. To boldly proclaim our right to exist, to live, to love – and to defy anyone standing in our way. Live and let live, or perish trying to prevent us from doing the same.
Oh, I don’t wanna run and hide
I don’t wanna live a lie
I need a spotlight
Like a bird inside a cage
Bright-eyed and longing for the stage
If what they say is true
There’s no place for me and you
But when I walk my walk (But you better give up before you die)
When I put my makeup on (Doesn’t matter who you are)
Look at me, look at me
Don’t you see a queen?
Too often we diminish ourselves, making our existence smaller to please others, dimming our own light as not to over shine anyone else. Fuck that. Fuck all of that in the most fucking heinous way possible. Skull-fuck it through the goddamn eye sockets of anyone who sees it that way.
There’s an empty seat
That’s where you’ll find me
There’s a broken heel
That’s where you’ll find me
If the sun doesn’t shine on you
Break your glass and cause a scene
And tell the world, just wait, you’ll see
There’s no more time to cry when the crowd’s right there
While the Lavender Scare gave no reasonable or sane reason to fear gay people, the Lilac Scare is here to turn that on its head – because people should be scared, very much scared, very much afraid and very much in terror about what we will do when attacked. But do not worry too much – it will be done beautifully, it will be done fabulously, it will be done gorgeously – and you won’t even feel the prick of metal slicing through skin until it’s too late.
When I walk my walk
And when I put my makeup on
Look at me, look at me
Don’t you see your goddamn queen?
