I first became aware of William Shatner in 1972. I was in 8th grade, and a new local television station was airing reruns of 60’s television programs, including a “Wagon Train to the stars”. Every day after school I would get home, burn through my homework, and be ready to watch when it came on. I would have watched it in prime time during it’s time on network television, but Dad had control of the one TV in the house, and he was a western show guy. I never had a chance back then!
My teen years included daily sessions with Mr. Shatner and the crew, and I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen each episode. Bill has been a fixture in my life, and I’d love to have a chance to see him in person.
I live in Visalia, California, just down the road from property he once owned (or still does?) in Three Rivers. I would hear stories from locals who had met him, and was always a bit envious. (I’ve worked at the Sheriff’s Department 9-1-1 dispatch for 20 years, and got to hear some stories from the resident deputy and his wife. Having him host a show about 9-1-1 was icing on the cake!)
At any rate, Mr. Shatner, I’d love to meet the man behind the characters. I’ve heard it’s a great show, and I look forward to being in the audience.
Contact me, Jim Reeves, at jim.visalia@gmail.com I’m on Twitter as @KC6YRU, and have been a follower of Mr. Shatner on Twitter for some time now.
(fingers crossed)
The newest right-wing meme is this:
JimmieJoe 
I see gay people
May 24, 2014
Jim Reeves commentary, Gay discreet gay men, gay couples, gaydar, lesbian couples, lgbt couples Leave a comment
Gay couple, circa 1875
Growing up, I had always viewed Visalia as hostile to gay life. In the 70’s (the 1970’s mind you), I didn’t see any gay people. There were some everybody suspected (everybody as in my classmates at Mt. Whitney High School. That’s a representative sample, right?), but none who I knew for certain. That’s part of the reason it wasn’t until the 21st century, and my 40’s, that I even began my coming out process. No positive role models.
Today, I notice something completely different. The gays are everywhere! No, really. I see them all the time.
How do I know? Easy. Every time I go into a local supermarket, they’re there. It’s clear to me they aren’t just “roommates” from the apartment complexes nearby, but are actual couples. Watch them if you don’t believe me. (be discreet about it, though)
I suppose part of it is that I’m “in tune” to spotting them now. My “gaydar” has been upgraded since my teens, thank goodness. But at some point in the last thirty years Visalia has become home to a rather large, if publicly silent, group of gay and lesbian couples. (The 2010 US Census listed Tulare County as the #1 County in California with gay couples raising children, per capita)
It’s an interesting mix of individuals, too. Seen alone, you’d probably never spot them as gay or lesbian (I’ve noticed you gals, too… it’s not just the men I’m noticing out there!). But in the store, engaged in one of those mundane chores of daily life, I see them. Most of them tend to be younger couples, guys and gals in their 20’s. (That may reflect the demographics of those apartment complexes I mentioned.) I have noticed some older couples, too, although the higher in age they get, the more they tend to be a lesbian couple.
Now it’s almost a game for me when I go shopping. I’ve got the gaydar on max, and I’m letting it sweep the store as I walk, seeing what I find. (I’m easily entertained at times.) There goes a couple now. Yep, gay. There’s another pair, but it’s clear they’re NOT a couple, but probably are, honestly and truly, roommates. No sharing of toothpaste or bedrooms there. Once you start paying attention, it really is rather obvious.
Or maybe I just know what to look for these days. Now all I have to do is figure out how to spot *single* gay men!
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