Actor Leslie Jordan has been around for decades but recently found himself becoming an Instagram sensation during the national semi-quarantine. You can see his videos HERE, as he helps lighten a very dark time.

“For a really long time, I had 20,000 followers. People would tell me, “Oh, that’s nothing,” and I said, “Are you kidding me? 20,000 people want to hear from me.” And then Megan Mullally from “Will & Grace” reposted something I posted, and I had 80,000 followers. They kept saying, “That’s still nothing.” I go, “What do you mean? That’s 80,000 people.” And it stayed at 80,000 for a really long time, and then I’m not sure what happened. The shutdown, of course, we all had to hunker down and stay at home, and my number started — I would just notice, oh my gosh, I’ve got like 20,000 more. Who are these people? I had no idea. It’s all of a sudden becoming popular, and how is this happening?” – Leslie Jordan, in the Washington Post

I just trimmed my husband Frank’s hair yesterday, but not before denying any responsibility for the results. A wise disclaimer, considering how it looks now. Never worry, a professional will repair the damage in a few weeks. – Mark/Editor

On Being Retired
Jean Ryan

The following is reprinted with permission from Jean Ryan’s blog. See our ‘In the Spotlight’ piece featuring her artwork.

My top three blessings, in order of appearance, are my sisters, my spouse, and retirement. I can’t imagine the hollowness of a life without loved ones; as for retirement, I am still marveling over the perks.

Who knew that a clear calendar could have such salubrious effects? Free to be no one but yourself, you become intrigued: Who are you? What do you want? What do you shun, and why? You glimpse your infinite layers and begin to peer inside. What will you reach for? What might be out there, beckoning?

Pennsylvania has become a leader in collecting data to measure health disparities impacting the overall wellness of its LGBTQ population. Since 2015, a growing network of LGBTQ organizations have helped to collect data about the health needs and barriers to care experienced by thousands of LGBTQ Pennsylvanians.

Beginning March 9, this coalition will be collecting data for the 2020 PA LGBTQ Needs Assessment. For the first time, there is a Spanish language version of the assessment (http://bit.ly/2020PANA_S). Special efforts are being made to encourage participation from underrepresented subpopulations including LGBTQ youth, people of color, members of rural communities, and transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. As we seek to capture a greater diversity of perspectives, we hope to promote a better understanding of the unique experiences of members throughout the LGBTQ community and throughout the state.

Every person who partakes in the survey will be helping Pennsylvania’s department of health learn more about how to promote the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ people. The data collected will fuel community-based programs designed to close gaps in service and address health disparities. Together, we will build a stronger, healthier community.

Take the time to raise your voice for LGBTQ health and be entered in a raffle to win a gift card now at http://bit.ly/2020PANA_E.

You can now check out the top stories each day right here at LGBTSr, with our Daily Readlines paper, hosted on Paper Li. You can also subscribe directly to the paper if you’d like, or stop by anytime and see the headlines right here on the sidebar.

It can be challenging to stay (mostly) inside, so I’m offering six free eBooks and stories for anyone who wants them. Just CLICK HERE or on the image, pick your books from the Book Funnel bundle, and download away. Sweet, simple. – Mark

By Mark McNease

It’s always One Thing or Another… a lighthearted look at aging, life, and the absurdities of it all.

Two months into a new year and this one feels different. Depending on your preferred echo chamber, America is either experiencing a renaissance of greatness restored by the last presidential election, or crumbling into a sinkhole of authoritarian despair. The earth is slowly catching fire while the ice caps melt, or it’s all a conspiracy to make us vote for liberals. The extremes are increasingly extreme, and now, as we hurtle toward an election many people are declaring the most significant in their lifetimes, it’s all too much, like a hangover breakfast at a diner after a party you never wanted to attend. We live under sustained assault by social media and a news cycle that stopped knowing how to shut off back when the Indian head ceased displaying on our TV screens from midnight till 6:00 a.m.