My activism started early; I ran for a seat on the Village Council in 1976 (did not win). The following year, after graduating Secondary School, I moved to a nearby small city to work in a Camera Store. In addition to taking in film for processing I helped customers decide which brand of film to use (each brand had its specialty) and offered tips on taking better pictures. Also volunteered at the local Community Theatre group- not to be an actor but to take photos and help with general crew stuff.
I was a volunteer on the GYT Gay Youth Toronto peer-counseling phone line after moving back to Toronto in 1978. After the virus we’ve come to know as HIV erupted in my communities I volunteered with ACT The Aids Committee of Toronto and Casey House, AIDS Hospice. As well as taking my vows (see next section) and working on the MLT Competitions.
I worked at a few different companies in the Art Materials Industry- working retail so that I could have time and energy for community work. And who of us at that time really thought of starting a career or saving for an unlikely retirement? Not to mention supporting artists so I don’t have to risk actually doing my own art (but I digress).
During the early ’80s I, along with my partner at the time, discovered our interest in the leather/ fetish worlds. No reason to go into detail; it has influenced which organizations and charitable causes I support. While living in Toronto I was Chapter President of TMT Trident Metro Toronto; a local affiliate of an international leather/denim social club.
In 1991 and ’92 I was the Finals Production Director for MLT the community-based organization that ran the annual MrLeathermanToronto series of contests- selecting our representative to the annual International Mr Leather competition in Chicago while raising funds for local AIDS charities.
The career I started to build after moving to Ohio in 1996 ended in the 2008 depression. I worked a variety of seasonal and part-time work while donating time and energy to central Ohio animal rescues and shelters. I served on the Board of AO Animal Outreach- offering discounted pet spay/neuter coupons for low-income households. And offered pet photography sessions as fundraisers for a variety of local rescues. That ended with burn-out as I started to process decades of depression, trauma and masked neuro-delightfulness.
Spirituality
Many queer folk reject any organi- er institutional religious tradition; for some pretty good reasons. I was baptized in the United Church of Canada while young and again in The Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto as an adult.
Over the years I’ve studied a wide variety of spiritual traditions; nature-based ‘pagan’ as well as ‘major world religions’ and now identify as a “non-theist spiritual humanist“. I am ordained in the Universal Life Church, licensed to perform weddings in Ohio and available to bless queer unions or other events of personal significance.
My spirituality intersected with community work in the early ’80s in Toronto. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence was founded in San Francisco in 1979. The Order spontaneously erupted in Toronto in 1981 and in 1983 I was accepted into the Order. Although the Toronto Order folded as a functioning organization in 1986 I have never renounced my vows to serve my community.
I was introduced to the Tarot by my partner in 1980; together with a roommate, we studied cards, astrology, numerology and other divination tools. I do not believe in fate or destiny in the sense that the future is predetermined. However, we are creatures of habit, influenced by our personal & cultural histories and our biology; with varying levels of self-awareness. So can we really exercise ‘free will‘?
I offer card readings at GuncleTarot.com. Being a card reading Guncle to queer folx is something I do can with true enthusiasm and integrity. My desire to share my experiences (and their lessons) is the legacy I wish to leave; your reading will be backed up by 40+ years of openly-queer living and my vows of service as a TOPI Sister.
Sharing is Caring
One of the consequences of prioritizing Service and ‘Being Helpful’ over self-enrichment is not having a huge Entertainment Budget. Not to say we don’t have a couple of streaming services (but only a few) or occasionally catch a show. But traveling out of state to enjoy a concert, or cruise the Caribbean, or subscribe to Patreon accounts for the dozen podcasts we regularly enjoy, is off the table.
So I share episodes of said podcasts (and music/tv that I particularly enjoy) on my social media accounts. As a freelance Creative myself I’m well aware of the abuse of offering “free publicity” instead of hard cash for those who can well afford to pay. And as a freelance Creative I know that word of mouth (‘word of mouse’ online) can make a real difference. All the more so for indie queer artists.
My unwavering commitment to not allow the social impact of the music of Romanovsky & Phillips to go unheralded is perhaps the clearest example of that. Another form of non-financial support I give is running social media accounts of Sister Who (Does She Think She Is) and managing the production + promotion of the Tarot of Sister Who.
