Battling Gay Asians

If I did not have a prior commitment, choosing between social activities tonight would be very difficult.

I already knew that George Takei (a.k.a. Mr. Sulu from Star Trek) was appearing at Johns Hopkins University at 7:30. Then I learned that B.D. Wong (FBI psychiatrist on Law & Order: Special Victim’s Unit and sensitive young priest on HBO’s Oz) would be speaking at Loyola College at 6. They are both “out” now, speaking on their careers and lives as gay Asian actors. The two campuses are close enough that it is possible to make both events, but who would have known that so many people in Baltimore would have this dilemma? Choosing between which gay Asian man to spend part of the night with… cute little urban psychiatrist /priest or swashbuckling Star Fleet lieutenant with a smile as big as a galaxy?

[Wayne, who YOU pick?]

Remembering Allie

Allie Lyles
Originally uploaded by bdlyles.

Today I'm reporting the recent passing of Alicia Peabody Pennywhiskers Lyles, known to those of us who knew her best as Allie.

Born in Baltimore, she was less than a year old when she followed Tom to the old apartment on St. Paul Street, near Preston Street, in Mount Vernon. She had followed him from an alley two blocks away, looking for a home... And she found one. That was, as I remember, back in 1989, which means that Allie was about 17 years old when she died, pretty old (about 76) in cat years. She moved with us to Charles Village in the 90s, and with me and Paul to Tuscany - Canterbury at the turn of the new century, but when I decided to take the job in Arizona Allie went to live with my grandmother at the ancestral estate in Pimlico. These two grand old ladies took care of each other. And there, from May 2003 until this past March 30th, Allie spent her last years, only in failing health during the past year.

I'll always remember finding her sleeping in Christmas tree, climbing kitchen cabinets, watching birds, hiding under the bed, lying on my stomach, surviving a fire, making an appearance at Nupur's wedding, and being the first victim when I got my video camera... among many other memories. (The photo here is taken from the last video I made of her about a year ago on my parent's sofa.)

Thank You, Allie - for memories and more.