Monday, July 01, 2013

July One: RE-kicking off my blogging

July 1, 2013 is the official retirement date for the great blog PAM'S HOUSE BLEND, created by Pam Spaulding 9 years ago. Pam's blog became the voice representing several parts of the LGBT community. She lives in the South, is a woman of color and a lesbian in a long term relationship. Married but not legally recognized as such in the state of North Carolina where she lives. Most blogs are presented by a more privledged view of the gay white male living in an urban environment usually in the Northeast or the West coast. Often those voices express animosity toward the south and some can be downright nasty about that.

Pam's House Blend never expressed the type of snark and arrogance that often comes from our LGBT fellows in more "progressive" places. Pam's House Blend presented a clear viewpoint that represented the most diverse perspective of any of the blogs online. And early on it was an inspiration for some to start their own blog. But those of us who tried quickly learned what was required. The very things that kept Pam Spaulding very busy for nearly a decade until her health concerns forced her to retire her blog. Dedication, financial and personal sacrifice. Having a true love and passion to gather the best information that was carefully researched and presented with the best quality. Doing a blog is a huge responsibility and a tough one for many of us to hold.

I started this blog several years ago and life kicked into high gear. Personal responsibilities like work, family and health were the multiple full time jobs and suddenly this idea of blogging seemed to be another possible full time job. When would I sleep? How can I think of what to say and how to present it? All of those questions smacked me in the face and blogging for me became what it is for probably 90% of us, nothing more than an occasional diary.

Years ago I was inspired to start a blog because of Pam Spaulding and later Joe Jervis. Both are the leading bloggers in the LGBT community while totally different in approach they each provided an outlet that many of us in less "progressive" areas could discuss issues that are of concern to our lives.

There still are few voices and regions represented online in a fair and honest perspective. Many of us vent on our social network pages but we aren't documenting our concerns in a format that can more easily be distributed and archived. And I have a renewed personal interest in doing the right thing and bringing a different voice into the field. So my hope is to grow this blog into one of those voices. I want to do it the way Pam and many others did it. Start out sharing opinions, research and KNOW what you are blogging about before you post it and hope to inform and educate people. Eventually find others to help and share from their perspective, build a team.

I am no journalist and have had no training to become one. So this will be a learning as I go phase. Over time you will see improvements and I intend to work hard at making those improvements so those who read my posts will WANT to read whatever I have to say and hopefully can learn something form it. And I look forward to learn from the responses.

So this post is my official "Re-kicking" off of my blog. Only this time I'm not changing the name again or trying to come up with any theme. For now, it's just me "telling it like (I think) it is".

I thank Pam Spaulding for getting things started over the past 9 years and wish her all the best and hope for improved health and happiness. I will continue to follow her on the social networks and I will share my expressions across the social networks. I hope to grow in readership and I hope I have the strength to maintain this time.

So that's it, my rambling about my intent once again to get back into blogging, sharing information and experiences from a perspective that is not heard in the LGBT community. There will be many explanations along the way. You'll just have to stay tuned, or "subscribe" to find out.

So here's to the official RESTART, July 1, 2013, Edric Floyd begins a new phase in his online life.

It's time.