• home
  • the ink well
  • about ron
    • about ken
  • contact
  • awards
    • Mountain Climbing for Beginners
  • my faves
  • publication
    • Extraordinary Healers Vol. 7
  • newsletter
  • twisted plot paper
Skip to content

ron stempkowski

  • home
  • the ink well
  • about ron
    • about ken
  • contact
  • awards
    • Mountain Climbing for Beginners
  • my faves
  • publication
    • Extraordinary Healers Vol. 7
  • newsletter
  • twisted plot paper
ron stempkowski

ron stempkowski

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

  • home
  • the ink well
  • about ron
    • about ken
  • contact
  • awards
    • Mountain Climbing for Beginners
  • my faves
  • publication
    • Extraordinary Healers Vol. 7
  • newsletter
  • twisted plot paper

Category: LGBT

A Letter to the Gay-Loving Trump Voter

A Letter to the Gay-Loving Trump Voter

Posted on November 21, 2016April 22, 2017 by Ron Stempkowski
So, you voted for Trump. And you claim to love someone who is gay. Well, here’s why you may not be hearing from them as much. You see, your vote for Trump really says this to a gay person: “You’... Read More
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
  • The Promise I Made Before He Died–and Why I’m Still Keeping It
    by Ron Stempkowski
    My upcoming book exists because of a promise. Ken was full of kindness, grace, and humor. So much so that...
  • The Year I Finally Say It Out Loud
    by Ron Stempkowski
    When I woke up on New Year’s Day 2026, the first words* out of my mouth were, “This is the...
  • Reflecting on 2025 with my New Year’s Eve Ritual
    by Ron Stempkowski
    It’s my fourth year, sitting with a stack of envelopes packed with selected memories from the past year since starting...
Are you a journaler? Or want to be one? Check out Twisted Plot Paper to build your journaling habit.

5k Birthday Birthdays Blogging Books camping Chicago Childhood Childhood Memories Dating Decisions Essay Family favorite Feelings Firsts Friends friendship Gratitude Grief Halloween Healing Holiday Humor improv Journaling Ken's Writing Leave of Absence Life loss Love Loving Chicago Memories Memories of Ken Milestones Moving Moving Forward New Normal New Year's Pets Rituals Second City Improv Daze Siblings theronaissance Writing

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

© Ron Stempkowski, ronstempkowski.com and thexanaxdiary.com, 2010-2026. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Ron Stempkowski and ronstempkowski.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Designed By InkHive. © Ron Stempkowski, ronstempkowski.com and thexanaxdiary.com, 2010-2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Ron Stempkowski and thexanaxdiary.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Product successfully added to the cart!