By Forest Riggs Easter has finally made it, complete with dyed eggs, jelly beans, peeps, baskets, and all the trimmings. The LGBTQ community seems to come alive again around Easter. Everyone knows we love to decorate, dress for Halloween, get creative as hell and “do it up†for just about any occasion. Easter, religious or

By Forest Riggs Spring has finally arrived and with it comes a time of renewal, rebirth, and growth. There is no better time than springtime to come out of old patterns, habits, and ways — the very things that impede our progress as human beings. It’s in the air, as “they†say. For over 20

| Galveston’s LGBTQ community loses an icon By Forest Riggs Allow me to begin this writing with an apology. Penning a column every two weeks, I keep a list of things and people in the Galveston LGBTQ community that I want to feature, mention or highlight. As there is so much going on in our

By Forest Riggs In 1962 crooner and heartthrob Bobby Darin released “The Party’s Over” and although it was a success, it wasn’t until Texas legend Willie Nelson sang the lyrics, “Turn out the lights, the party’s over,” that it became a huge hit, a crossover song. The lyrics go on to state that once the

By Forest Riggs Where has the time gone? It’s hard to believe but Mardi Gras 2019 is here. The Island has once again come alive in shades of purple, green and gold. Just about anyone and everything is adorned with the Mardi Gras colors, from beads to storefronts, sidewalks and balconies; even “Mardi Gras Treesâ€

By Forest Riggs February has quietly crept upon us this year and with it come two very special events: St. Valentine’s Day on February 14 and the beginning of Mardi Gras on the February 22.  Due to the changing dates for Mardi Gras each year, the much-loved event comes very early this time around, just

By Forest Riggs Great balls of fire! On a dismal Sunday evening at the Island’s 23rd Station Piano Bar, a young man sauntered up to the piano and stole the night. If the genes of P.T. Barnum and Jerry Lee Lewis had been used to clone a prodigy and that talented entertainer landed along the

By Forest Riggs Finally the holidays are over! The turkeys that were stuffed have been eaten, the beautiful packages that were meticulously wrapped have been shredded and opened, and the decorated trees, garlands and hanging balls have come down. The few days that follow Christmas and New Year’s Eve are a real “come down†after

By Forest Riggs What a year it has been. Thankfully, 2018 is coming to an end and a brand new, clean slate of a year awaits all! It seems 2018 was crammed full of events, both good and bad. Just about every  aspect of “being tested†came about, from politics and weather to employment and

By Forest Riggs In Galveston you’d have to be an ostrich with your head in the sand if you are not aware of the original Island Diva, Misty Valdez. Well known for her more than generous contributions to the LGBTQ community and her undying devotion to that community, the very name “Misty Valdez†is synonymous