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ron stempkowski

  • the xanax diary
  • about ron
    • about ken
  • awards
    • Mountain Climbing for Beginners
  • the ronaissance
  • my faves
  • second city
  • publication
    • Extraordinary Healers Vol. 7
  • media
  • travel
    • Costa Rica (June 2018)
    • Iceland (March 2020)

ron stempkowski

love, loss, healing, and humor…in no particular order

  • the xanax diary
  • about ron
    • about ken
  • awards
    • Mountain Climbing for Beginners
  • the ronaissance
  • my faves
  • second city
  • publication
    • Extraordinary Healers Vol. 7
  • media
  • travel
    • Costa Rica (June 2018)
    • Iceland (March 2020)

Category: Gay

My Past and Present with Pride

My Past and Present with Pride

Posted on June 30, 2016April 22, 2017 by Ron Stempkowski
As I talked with my friends and enjoyed the community and fellowship of my first Pride event–on the Circle in Indianapolis–a man walked slowly and deliberately through the celebration. ... Read More
Safe Spaces & Being  Your Authentic Self

Safe Spaces & Being Your Authentic Self

Posted on June 23, 2016April 22, 2017 by Ron Stempkowski
While on the L heading to work last week, I received a tweet from a BBC reporter who wanted my input about why LGBT people view gay bars/clubs as safe spaces. In the wake of the Orlando shootings,... Read More
The Sanctuary of Sameness

The Sanctuary of Sameness

Posted on June 15, 2016May 14, 2022 by Ron Stempkowski
The first gay bar I ever went to in Chicago was a small but colorful neighborhood bar called Buddie’s. I’d found it wandering down Clark Street while my friend Denise, who had driven us th... Read More
Remembering Pride

Remembering Pride

Posted on June 23, 2012 by Ron Stempkowski
(Our first Pride Day together in 2001. Notice Ken’s (l) nail bling.) This week I watched “Out & Proud in Chicago” on WTTW, our local PBS station. It was riveting. I always love a... Read More
Shiny, (Truly) Happy People

Shiny, (Truly) Happy People

Posted on April 21, 2012 by Ron Stempkowski
(A rare paparazzi shot, catching vintage badasses Denise and Ron (circa 1990) arriving “on the scene.”) I read a blurb recently about a study conducted on a group of “truly happyR... Read More
An Ode to Kurt Hummel

An Ode to Kurt Hummel

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Ron Stempkowski
***Spoiler Alert** if you haven’t watched this week’s episode of “Glee” yet. Fox’s hit teen singing dramedy “Glee” has long been a guilty pleasure of mine. No... Read More
Ron Stempkowski

Ron Stempkowski

I'm an award-winning essayist and audience-focused word ninja living in Chicago. I have a passion for storytelling with words and images/videos.

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