Singing For Change With Tom Goss

Okay, so I like the song, and I LOVE the message, of course... But, some of the parts where Tom Goss is sitting in bed with these couples while singing to them really cracks me up. I can't help it, it just does... As though he's going to set his guitar down and cop a feel on their privs... a little coochie-coochie-coo on their danger zones. Then, start singing again. As funny as it is to me though, it certainly doesn't detract from the intent of the song or video, both of which are beautiful and tender.

I'm still out in California working on the play, which opens Monday. So, unfortunately I'll miss this event, but wanted to let those of you who are in Cleveland or the surrounding area know about it, in the case that you'd like to be a part of it... a part of the movement for change... for social evolution.

Monday, April 6th, from 4-5, next to City Hall in Cleveland:

"So, Tom Goss is a gay singer/songwriter living in DC, who wrote this song and produced this video as a simple message to underline the fact that “love is love”—whether you’re gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or straight. He’s generously allowed us to use the video freely here in Cleveland to promote a defense of Cleveland’s Domestic Partner Registry—as you know, Cleveland City Council authorized a Registry back in December, which would permit any two persons (gay or straight) to register as domestic partners with the City. Even though it has no legal force—registering as domestic partners does not mean that one can get domestic partner benefits from an employer, for example—a group of individuals, opposed to any expression of “gay rights,” has mobilized to put the issue on the ballot, in an attempt to get the legislation overturned.

Tom will be in town on Monday, April 6th to perform at the Barking Spider Tavern. We are planning to gather 100 or more people on the sidewalk in front of the Free Stamp next to City Hall (601 Lakeside) to sing, as a chorus, Tom’s song, “Till the End,” and videotape the event for distribution across town (to create our own “music video,” with Tom leading us). (Parking is available at the City Hall parking lot, and there are metered one-hour parking spaces in the area). This would NOT be a “rally”—just a group of people coming together to sing a simple song that communicates the message, “love is love,” and to remind people that a wide cross-section of Clevelanders supports the Domestic Partner Registry. We want a WIDE VARIETY of people (like the video): gay, straight, African American, Latino(a), Asian, white, young, old—everybody.

Can you join us on April 6th, from 4-5, to sing a song—and help create change? (Do you have to be able to sing?—not at all: we’ll have sheet music, and will rehearse it a few times with Tom before we videotape.)

You interested? Just reply to epike@atfgc.org, and let us know. Thanks!

- Earl Pike"

And thank you, Earl. And keep up the good spirit! In fact, let it burst from your seams, brother.