See also Pam's House Blend for more details on today's blogswarm.
This diary is a joint effort from Clarknt67, puglette, and myself.
Today, blogmistress Pam Spaulding of Pam's House Blend is undergoing surgery for uterine fibroids. So we - the progressive blog community, and the LGBT blogosphere in particular - are getting together to show Pam some love and appreciation. See more from Clarknt67, Keori, and puglette under the fold.
Introduction from Clarknt67:
A little background for Kossacks that may not know the Blend.
Pam Spaulding is one of the people who I credit with helping me find my voice. I will never forget the first time she promoted a diary of mine to the front page of The Blend, perhaps two years ago. What a thrill for me.
She's since promoted me to Front Pager and has been an invaluable source of support.
One thing I most admire about Pam is how she leads the LGBT community by example. I frequently refer to her punditry as "tough but fair." If you're going to go head-to-head with Pam, come armed with facts. Because she knows her stuff and will slice right through hollow talking points and BS in a hot New York minute.
But, she stops short of demonizing people who can and will engage in respectful, reality-based disagreements. She is a picture perfect example of expressing disagreement without being disagreeable. I admire her, and as I have evolved as a blogger I frequently ask myself, "What would Pam do?"
In the political realm Pam is educator, gadfly and advocate. She's tough on slackers, but there for friends, working for Elaine Marshall, Patrick Murphy and many others. I was very happy when she quickly agreed to host an NYC LGBT fundraiser for Senator Gillibrand at my request last August, when I heard she'd be in town.
She has created in Pam's House Blend an environment where we can chat, discuss policy and candidates, disagree, but maintains a high standard on commentary where people's dignity is scrupulously guarded, both that of individuals and of communities.
Worth noting too, is Pam's House Blend is an crossover oasis for the trans community, in a world where ignorance and hostility are still all too common even (or especially) on gay blogs. And she is to be commended for her part in that. And I am glad to be a Blender.
To Pam: Let your wife Kate spoil you, and be a good patient. Get well soon, Pam! We'll miss you, but watch the fort while you can't. It's all going to be all right!
Keori chimes in:
Pam Spaulding is a rare voice in the progressive blogosphere. She is unafraid to tackle hot-button issues of race, sexuality, gender, class, religion, and political warfare, and she does so with a grace and style not seen anywhere else. She has created a blog community where all progressive voices are welcome, regardless of our differences.
Pam's intellect, analytic skills, and observations are badly needed in these tumultuous times. She recognizes the intersection of privilege and oppression of minority people, and isn't afraid to point out both the bitter truths and rays of hope that alternately play out in our lives as LGBTQI people. Pam's House Blend truly is a "reality-based community."
One of the things I appreciate most about Pam's House Blend is its "virtual coffeehouse" atmosphere. Some of the most intelligent people I've ever met congregate in the cyberspace there to have lively, thought-provoking discussions about issues ranging from homo/transphobic violence to health care to the war on the working class. Just like friends I would hang out with in a "real space" coffeehouse, the Blenders have been there for me, and for each other. We share in each other's joys and sorrows, happiness and concerns, and work together to solve real problems. It's a fantastic community, one of which I'm proud to be a part.
On a professional level, Pam has helped me to grow as a writer, blogger, and activist. The past two years I've taken part in actions to forward equality that, prior to knowing her, I would never have had the courage to do. On a personal level, through the Blend I've gained a real life family who have been there for me in the best and worst times. Louise (known here at DKos as "puglette") has become the supportive mother I never had, after my own mormon parents turned their backs.
Today Pam is in my thoughts as she undergoes major surgery. Pam, I hope all goes well, that soon the alien uterus will no longer bring you such misery. Kate, much love and gratitude to you, for all you do to support Pam. You guys get some rest and snuggle the doggies!
And now for something completely different - the actual body of this post, written by puglette.
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We would ask that everyone notice the wee PayPal "Donate" widget in the upper lefthand corner of the front page.
If you can, please pop a lil something in there for Pam and Kate. Between boarding for Casey and Chloe, deductibles and other unforeseen expenses coming up, this could come in handy right now.
Thanks!
~Louise, Lurleen, Autumn, Alvin, Keori and Clarknt67
As you all know, Pam's surgery is this morning- so the rest of us thought it an appropriate time to post just WHY Pam means so much to us all personally.
I mean, think about it- there are thousands and thousands of us Blenders! That's pretty amazing, when you think about it- one person's frustration almost exactly 4 years ago with the world as she saw it culminated into her sitting down, tickety-typing her thoughts and views. Hitting "Enter"- and setting up this online coffee shop we know and love so much...
And for anyone who has met Pam and Kate in person, as I was fortunate to do this summer at the 50th birthday party of Americablog's Joe Sudbay, we can all agree that one would be hard-pressed to find a more loving, fun, down-to-earth and genuinely sweet couple than them.
(And I really hope they come back up to Maine next summer! :)
Pam herself is astounding; I can't express how much her generosity in inviting me to come aboard as a barista in 2009 meant and continues to mean to me- and that the email came on April Fool's Day just adds that extra cosmic dash of silly appeal for me. ;)
Because of Pam, I found a voice I never knew that I had, and while Maine isn't where we want it to be regarding marriage equality or even politically right now, we will be. Give me time...
(Sidenote: I spoke with Governor Baldacci at one of the President Clinton rallies this fall; it was very pleasant to get a big hug and talk about our previous conversation. He said that at the time he spoke with me and Snooky he was "just starting to come around" to the idea of marriage equality- and that he is now a strong supporter and advocate. I like to think that our talk helped John "get there"! So, one more thing to thank Pam and indeed the entire Blend family for- you have all helped me find my voice.)
And her generosity to other bloggers? One needs look no further than her post over the weekend letting us all know that SharkFu, aka Angry Black Bitch, is also having the same surgery as Pam today. So, let's give her some love, too!
The numerous accolades that Pam and her blog have received over the years are just a tangible testimony to how so many others, including her peers in the blogosphere, view her- her integrity, her honesty, her personal standards of fairness and true family values are benchmarks that many strive for and few attain.
Yeah, I am kinda fond of the gal... ;) Because of the Blend, I have a family I never imagined. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
Thank you, Pam!
So gonna throw this open to all of you Blenders, to express your thoughts, link a video for Pam, send her YOUR love!