Rainbow sidewalks in Texas, transphobia in the gay community, cigars in the leather scene and upcoming events.

DAILY MEME: The more we practice empathy to get better we get at it – Renee Hebert

* Heard on the Throwing Light Podcast by Louis Toliver Jr

* Listening without judgment, observing nonverbal cues.

* Putting yourself in others shoes, trying to learn about people different from you

* Developing self-awareness, identify and question your own biases – blind spots

Check In:

* TestDrivenTV – Dodge Charger Scat Pack

* New threads for video, casual but nice – push and pull with my husband who has a different style template.

* Dermatologist – Actinic Keratosis

Good News: Rainbow Sidewalks

* The city of San Antonio is replacing the now banned rainbow crosswalks in the Pride Cultural Heritage District with new rainbow sidewalks.

* On both sides of North Main Street 6-foot wide rainbow flag striping will color sidewalks entire length of the “gay strip” in downtown.

* Chevron designs at the corners emulate the modern progress pride flag.

* Then entire $170,000 tab is being taken up by the city.

* This strategy overcomes the Texas state and Federal policy attacks that have forced the removal of rainbow cross walks. They won’t be able to take this rainbow away.

Social: Transphobia In The LGBTQ+ Community

* Even in our own community transgender people are othered

* Even in our own community transgender people are excluded

* Even in our own community transgender people are blamed

* Transgender, bisexual and non-binary people are all part of our family

Leather Season: Cigars and Leather

* Baked in the DNA of the leather and fetish genre

* Tom of Finland Art influence or influenced?

* Often part of the role play and role responsibilities in D/s relationships

Event: Smokeout 2026 Las Vegas

Self described as “a fun-filled, uncomplicated weekend in Las Vegas for cigar and pipe studs, bikers, leathermen, bears and friends from all over the world, with time to gamble, shop, be a tourist, enjoy a show, attend events or relax by the pools and have a great time!

* Wednesday through Monday at the Tuscany Suites Resort and Casino

* Special room rates for registered participants

* Vendors

* Smoking Lounge

* Private pool and playroom spaces

* Barbershop and bootblack

* Dinners and socials

* Motorcycle ride and offsite opportunities

* Event registration $60 ahead of time, $ 80 at the door

Event Save The Date: No Kings III – March 28

As always you can click on the EVENTS tab at our website growingoldergay.com for LGBTQ gatherings nationwide all year long. If you have an event you would like featured in our event calendar or even here on the podcast, send an email with the details to sam@growingolderday.com

Viewer Comments: “I agree with you about Tesla “

* Revisiting the Tesla Comments from last week

* Have a sense of humor

Out of pocket costs for monthly PrEP and DoxyPEP, the “Travel Ho” phenomenon, measuring self worth in the social media age.

Check us out now on Amazon Podcasts and iHeart Radio Podcasts!

DAILY MEME: I am not what I own

* My value as a person is not in my material possessions

* My standing in the world is not of my financial wealth

* My happiness and self worth is directly proportionate to my of love for myself and others

Check In: Weekend in Palm Springs / Cathedral City

* Shopping for leather in Palm Springs

* Stay downtown at the Motel 6 – center of the “tweakerverse”

* Stay at CCBC and fun times

* Beautiful facility upgraded in recent years

* Family like service

Social: Lowered inhibitions when out of town “Travel Hos”

* When away we tend to be bigger sluts than at home

* Keeping up appearances professional and social

* Fresh meat on the apps

* Foot loose and fancy free

Health: Paying cash for PrEP / DoxyPEP

* Expiration of Obamacare funding has left many without coverage – renewals for marketplace down over 40% going into 2026,

* HHS cuts have lowered or eliminated availability for support programs that have traditionally covered HIV prevention, testing, and medications.

* Still some support programs available depending on location.

* Out of pocket options exist for PrEP and DoxyPEP.

* Generic Truvada $30 a month

* Doxycycline $15-30 a month

Viewer/Listener Comments: Is PrEP Safe?

First, I am not a doctor and I am not giving medical advice. The following is my own experience and factual information available with a little research.

* In a word, Yes PrEP is safe. It’s certainly safer than having HIV

* High efficacy. When taken properly, oral PrEP reduces HIV risk by about 99%.

* Well tolerated by most.

* Prescriptions require regular testing and monitoring including kidney and liver health and testing for HIV and other STIs

* Common concerns include kidney function and bone density as older formulations of Truvada could affect kidneys and bone density in rare cases. Newer options like Descovy and injections like Apretude are less of an issue.

Leather Season:

* Congratulations Gage Ryder Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2026

* Congratulations Brian Hettler Mr. LA Leather Bear 2026

* IML Rules Change

* Raises the bar for eligibility with more stringent vetting guidelines

* Can only compete one year

* Seeks to keep class size at 50 starting in 2027

Event: CLAW 2026 – April 2-5, 2026 Columbus OH

* Cleveland Leather Awareness Weekend – Columbus

* 2,000+ Leather Men, 2 BDSM Dungeons, 118 Booth VendorMart

* 150+ Classes and Workshops

* Kink Socials & Mixers

* More

* Hotel 80% full Hyatt Regency Columbus, OH

* Must register for event to stay at host hotel

Event Save The Date: Desert Smoke Palm Springs – June 5-7, 2026

* Palm Springs Leather Order Of The Desert

* Cigar weekend social and play

As always you can click on the EVENTS tab at our website for LGBTQ gatherings nationwide all year long. If you have an event you would like featured in our event calendar or even here on the podcast, send an email with the details to sam@growingolderday.com

Kitchen Table Episode 42 – 01/18/2026

Making a hard won life count, gay ageism, sexy James Franco miniseries, Mr Eagle LA Leather Wyatt Heath and upcoming LGBTQ+ events.

Our episode today is recorded well in advance of post day because my husband and I are actually on a getaway weekend to Palm Springs and Los Angeles to do some leather shopping and take in some local flavor at some of the one of the gay men’s play spots. If you see us out and about please come up and say hello!

Because of this, if the world ended or some big topical news story has hit since this was recorded earlier in the week that needed due attention, I apologize in advance for not talking about it now.

DAILY MEME: There is a cost to honoring yourself. Make it count.

* Live the life you have always wanted

* Explore your world, yourself, your people – challenge your box

* Do what they have always tried to keep you from doing

* Invest in yourself – education, health, spirituality, finances

Social: Navigating Ageism

Ageism is a process of systematic stereotyping and discrimination against people because of their age – mostly to those older in years.

* Ageism in the dating / hookup scene / sex

* invisible

* rockstar syndrome

* Ageism in the workplace / career

* promotions / positioning

* job searches

* Ageism in the social experience

* how you are treated

* included/excluded

* Setting expectations / acceptance / self sorting

* understanding

* acceptance

Bingeable TV: 11/22/63 Miniseries – Hulu / Netflix

* James Franco stars in 11/22/63, an eight episode miniseries based on the Stephen King novel of the same name.

* An English teacher goes back in time to try and prevent the assassination of JFK

* The eight episode series twists and turns as Franco’s character attempts to rewrite the past and finds that the past tends to fight back

* Good story line, time and culture representation of 1960’s Texas, lots of classic cars.

Leather Season: Contests and Congratulations!

* Congratulations Wyatt Heath for winning Mr. Eagle Leather LA 2026

* Bartender at Bullet Bar North Hollywood

* “I’m humbled to have the life I have today. Just over two years ago, I wasn’t sure I’d make it through addiction But today, all the hardwork I put in, all the faith and love my parents and brother have and had in me, and the love of so many men who refused to give up on me has paid off. I truly am living a life that was promised me in so many different sobrieties…a life beyond my wildest dreams. - Facebook“

* Mid Atlantic Leather contest this weekend

* Mr LA Leather Bear contest this weekend

Event: Austin Kink Weekend – April 16-19

* Mr./Ms/Mx Texas Leather, Texas Bootblack, + more

* Workshops, vendors, special events and parties

* Run Passes $125 – 175 on sale now

* Holiday Inn Mid-Town Austin

Event Save The Date: Vallarta Pride

La nueva era

* un pride muy mexicano

* 17 al 24 mayo

As always you can click on the EVENTS tab at our website growingoldergay.com for LGBTQ gatherings nationwide all year long. If you have an event you would like featured in our event calendar or even here on the podcast, send an email with the details to sam@growingolderday.com

End Plugs:

Thanks to GayPHX for including re-broadcasts our podcast weekly on their streaming radio station every Monday in the 10:00 hour. You can hear lots of local voices, entertainment, news and music 24 hours a day at GayPHX.com

* Our website: growingoldergay.com

* Our social media

* Podcast now on Spotify, Substack and Apple Podcasts in addition to YouTube!