If you live near Bakersfield

Timothy Kincaid

January 8th, 2014


… and don’t have plans for the evening, join Belinda Carlisle and her son, James, in a discussion about his coming out process. (Californian)

On some level, Belinda Carlisle always knew her son was gay. As a child he begged not for action figures but Disney princess dresses and then as a young teen, he threw an on-the-floor-kicking-and-screaming tantrum when his parents told him they’d have to postpone taking him to see “Brokeback Mountain,” the acclaimed 2005 film chronicling the love affair of two cowboys.

But there’s knowing and knowing, as the singer-actress would discover several years ago when her son was 14.

Carlisle was the lead singer for the Go-Go’s, an 80’s all-girl band known for such hits as Vacation, We Got the Beat, and Our Lips are Sealed, before going solo and racking up hits including Mad About You, Heaven is a Place on Earth, and I Get Weak.

The message of acceptance and love is much needed in Kern County and lets hope that a familiar voice can bring that message home to those who need it most.

The event is sponsored by PFLAG and hosted by the

First Congregational Church of Bakersfield-United Church of Christ
5 Real Rd, Bakersfield, California 93309

Doors Open at 6:30
Event at 7:00

I had the opportunity to hear Belinda sing on a cruise I took a few years ago. It was a wonderful show. I still enjoy the Go-Go’s and her solo work when I catch 80’s night at the local video bar.

Regan DuCasse

January 10th, 2014

I met James working for Equality CA on several occasions and we tend to run in the same circles.
He’s mad adorbs!

grantdale

January 10th, 2014

That’s where I went wrong. Any wonder Dad and Mum had no clue. I should have chucked a fit or two. Or p’raps not. I really wasn’t the type.

That said, the first time the other one of us visited the other at their tiny flat in East Prahran… a long time ago…I put on a mix-tape (you remember making them) that included Miss BC. And much Bananarama. I admit it.

Two tracks I continue to play from then there days, and here is some of that fabulousness from 20+ years ago. Like em, or not.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ5dF4T1SZk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wssIZOBV9i4

(Aaand because I cannot help myself, here’s the accompaning Keren, Sara and Siobhan; featuring stripey prison-not clothing and three young ladies laughing themselves silly making a campest of mudic videos.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iiy5HO4VKEA

Seems like only yesterday. Enjoy. Or, again, maybe not.

TomTallis

January 11th, 2014

All Southern Californians know that when Mother Nature breaks wind, it comes out in Bakersfield.

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