#Nima Walker

[thepermanentrainpress]

The Permanent Rain Press Interview with Hillsboro. (Watch in HD)

Nima Walker of Hillsboro chats about the band's self-titled debut album, early days of the Victoria shoegaze/emo project, intentional creative direction, healing through songwriting, and upcoming tour.

[milliondollarbaby87]

Femme (2023) Review

When Jules suffers a truly horrific homophobic attack it destroys his life and everything he thought he knew about himself. Trying to build himself back up he encounters Preston his main attacker in a gay sauna … ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Continue reading Femme (2023) Review

[absolutelynotsanebaby]

Anyways list of ninjago ocs

Miscellaneous:

Li Bao (magically gifted little girl)

Remi (master of memory)

Fankids (1):

Rin Jiang (kylor)

Anala Jiang (kylor)

Lisa Julien (pixane)

Ami brookstone-walker (bruise)

Lilly brookstone-walker (bruise)

Yu Jingyi (Nya/oc)

Yu Fang (the oc)

Fankids (2):

Ryu Brookstone (sandstorm)

Reaper AU:

Kanzaki Keiya (ghost)

Nori (ghost)

Yun Ji-yu (ghost, Nori's adoptive grandmother)

Izumi Kiho (keiya's estranged daughter)

Izumi Yuuya (Kiho's husband)

Izumi Miyuu (baby daughter of Kiho/Yuuya)

Zhu Yan (ghost-hunter) (currently a ghost lol)

Ha Lan (ZY's previous 'partner')

Shibuya Yasu (ghost)

Soma (Lou's and Lilly's boyfriend <3)

Yui's (reaper/cole's grandmother)

Yahir (reaper/cole's grandfather)

Siti Sabri (master of illusions, thief)

Pre-em (preeminent's replacement)

Ms Departed (Departed Realm)

Amani (Djinnjago realm)

Cloudie (Cloud kingdom)

Bubblegum 'bubble' cherry soda (first realm dragon)

Villain AU:

Bai Yi (elemental master of time)

Bai Jie (elemental master of time, time twins part 2)

Kiyoko (elemental master of mind)

Akari (serpentine)

Imara (elemental master of metal)

Skip

Vidal

Han Myung

Wen Xia

Jadu (iwuki)

Niloufar (Jadu's sister)

Nima (jadu and Niloufar's youngest brother)

Queen & King (parents of the above 3)

[wweallresultspage]

WWE NXT Results - September 26, 2023

1. Butch [7] def. Joe Coffey [6] in 12:43 to win the Global Heritage Invitational

2. Trick Williams def. Joe Gacy in 2:27

3. Baron Corbin def. Josh Briggs in 3:01

4. Bronco Nima & Lucien Price def. Hank Walker & Tank Ledger in 2:49

5. Eddy Thorpe def. Dijak in a Strap Match in 10:13

6. Thea Hail def. Dani Palmer in 2:23

7. Trick Williams def. Axiom, Dragon Lee, and Tyler Bate in an NXT North American Championship #1 Contender's Fatal 4-Way Match in 11:01

[uzlolzu]

Let’s pour some more sugar out here.

Martin (right) belongs to @xhakhal. Nima is mine.

[mihrsuri]

I needed to redo this because some things have changed but here is the semi definitive version of the Boleyn-Tudor-Cromwell Kids Kids (& Spouses) and also Mary Tudor. There are dates and names that need filling in though

Princess Mary (the first Princess Royal): Inherited her mothers title as Duchess of Derby. Married to Phillip of Bavaria with whom she has three children. 

Katherine (Cat) b.1541

Phillip (Felipe) b.1542

Anne (Ana) b. 1543

Princess Elizabeth: Inherits her mothers title of Duchess of Pembroke in her own right and also becomes Duchess of Northumberland upon her marriage to Robert Dudley. Mother of five children. 

Anne (Nan) b. 1552 (inherits the title of Duchess of Pembroke which continues down the female line/oldest daughter inherits to this day)

Henry (Hal) b. 1557 Duke of Northumberland 

Thomas (Thom) b. 1557 (Hal’s Twin)

Robert (Robin) b. 1559

Mary (Marie) b. 1580

Prince Thomas: Prince of Wales, later King Thomas I. Marries Mihrimah Sultan (Later Queen Mihrimah I). Father of six children. 

Thomas (Turhan) b. 1556 later King Thomas II of England and Prince Consort of Scotland (marries Joan I, daughter of Mary I of Scotland)

Maryam b. 1559 later Empress of Persia and wife of Emperor Abbas I and mother to nine children. Greatly loved by her subjects she was known for her intelligence, kindness and wisdom. Named for her mother, grandmother and aunt. 

Suleiman b. 1562

Henry (Harry) b. 1565 (Named for his grandfather and indirectly his maternal grandmother)

Ayse (Alice) b. 1570

Esther (Emma) b. 1570

Prince George: Duke of York. Marries Madeleine, youngest daughter of Marguerite of Navarre with whom he has five children. 

Nanette

Marguerite 

Thomas (Tomas) 

Frances

Alienor 

Prince William: Duke of Clarence. Father to a lot of illegitimate children. Like Charles II levels of illegitimate children. He absolutely provides for them all and their mothers knew it wasn’t going to be a long term relationship and he provides for them etc. Information on the mothers of his children is detailed here

By Catherine Rushford (who also had two daughters Phillipa and Miriam by her husband) 

Henry

Charles (after his godfather, the son of Charles Brandon) 

By Mistress Sybil Walker (the daughter of some very minor gentry who wants to have children with her girlfriend (an Italian Actress) and thinks ‘hey I’m fond of William, I would like to bone him and I know he won’t get all fucking weird about things’ and so they bone. 

Maddelena 

Clarice 

Piero 

Elena 

By Rosamund Hafford whom he eventually married he had nine children - all of whom were eventually legitimised. 

James

 Margaret

Alice & Andrew (twins)

Robert

Samuel 

Liam

Amelia

Ruth

Princess Margaret: later Queen Marguerite of Denmark. Married to Frederick of Denmark 

Christian 

Elisabeth Marie

William 

Henrik 

Thomas 

Anne Sophia 

Prince Owen: later Duke of Kent who marries Sofia, Infanta of Spain and daughter of Queen Juana I (she got to rule in her own right she was great the end) with whom he has three daughters. 

Maria 

Juana 

Ana 

Prince Edmund: later Duke of Somerset. He marries Soraya Khan Kalantar a Persian Jewish woman and the daughter of the Persian Ambassador to England with whom he has four children.  

Philippa (Lilibet)

Soraya (Sophie) 

Eliana (Ella) 

Aharon (Arthur) 

Princess Philippa: later Duchess of Lancaster marries Bahram Khanom (the child of Prince of Persia and a Persian Jewish Noblewoman) as well as Nazanin Shoshani (her lady in waiting and of a prominent Persian Jewish family). Together they have *counts* six children. 

Hadi

Niloufar

Taoma

Maryam

Nima

Anoushka

[richincolor]

New month, new book releases! Check out these books launching tomorrow, March 2nd -- are any of them on your to-read list?

Infinity Reaper (Infinity Cycle #2) by Adam Silvera Emil and Brighton Rey defied the odds. They beat the Blood Casters and escaped with their lives–or so they thought. When Brighton drank the Reaper’s Blood, he believed it would make him invincible, but instead the potion is killing him.

In Emil’s race to find an antidote that will not only save his brother but also rid him of his own unwanted phoenix powers, he will have to dig deep into the very past lives he’s trying to outrun. Though he needs the help of the Spell Walkers now more than ever, their ranks are fracturing, with Maribelle’s thirst for revenge sending her down a dangerous path.

Meanwhile, Ness is being abused by Senator Iron for political gain, his rare shifting ability making him a dangerous weapon. As much as Ness longs to send Emil a signal, he knows the best way to keep Emil safe from his corrupt father is to keep him at a distance.

The battle for peace is playing out like an intricate game of chess, and as the pieces on the board move into place, Emil starts to realize that he may have been competing against the wrong enemy all along. — Cover image and summary via Goodreads

Once Upon a Quinceañera by Monica Gomez-Hira

Carmen Aguilar just wants to make her happily ever after come true. Except apparently “happily ever after” for Carmen involves being stuck in an unpaid summer internship! All she has to do is perform! In a ball gown! During the summer. In Miami.

Fine. Except that Carmen’s company is hired for her spoiled cousin Ariana’s over the top quinceañera.

And of course, her new dance partner at work is none other than Mauro Reyes, Carmen’s most deeply regrettable ex.

If Carmen is going to move into the future she wants, she needs to leave the past behind. And if she can manage dancing in the blistering heat, fending off Mauro’s texts, and stopping Ariana from ruining her own quinceañera Carmen might just get that happily ever after after all. — Cover image and summary via Goodreads

The Queen’s Secret (The Queen’s Secret #2) by Melissa de la Cruz

Lilac’s birthright makes her the Queen of Renovia, and a forced marriage made her the Queen of Stavin. But being a ruler does not mean making the rules. For Lilac, taking the throne means giving up the opportunity to be with love of her life, the kingdom’s assassin, Caledon Holt.

Worse, Cal is forced to leave the castle when a horrific set of magical attacks threatens Lilac’s sovereignty. Now Cal and Lilac will have to battle dark forces separately, even though being together is the only thing that’s ever saved them.

In the riveting conclusion to Melissa De La Cruz’s fantasy duet, love and magic are at war, and victory rests on a knife’s edge. — Cover image and summary via Goodreads

Yolk by Mary H.K. Choi

Jayne Baek is barely getting by. She shuffles through fashion school, saddled with a deadbeat boyfriend, clout-chasing friends, and a wretched eating disorder that she’s not fully ready to confront. But that’s New York City, right? At least she isn’t in Texas anymore, and is finally living in a city that feels right for her.

On the other hand, her sister June is dazzlingly rich with a high-flying finance job and a massive apartment. Unlike Jayne, June has never struggled a day in her life. Until she’s diagnosed with uterine cancer.

Suddenly, these estranged sisters who have nothing in common are living together. Because sisterly obligations are kind of important when one of you is dying. — Cover image and summary via Goodreads

Home is Not a Country by Safia Elhillo

Nima doesn’t feel understood. By her mother, who grew up far away in a different land. By her white suburban town, which feels both dangerous and familiar. At least she has her childhood friend Haitham, with whom she can let her guard down and be herself.

Until she doesn’t. As the ground is pulled out from under her, Nima must grapple with the phantom of a life not chosen, the name her parents didn’t give her at birth: Yasmeen. But that other name, that other girl, might just be more real than Nima knows. And more hungry.

This book is a story of mothers and daughters, of friends and enemies, of journeys and homecomings, and of realizing that sometimes the person you’re meant to be has been staring at you in the mirror all along. — Cover image and summary via Goodreads

[ao3feed-anidala]

by Andraste_Selene

There's a rumor going around the Quarters that there's a general in the Republic Army who was seen wearing the Amarattu, a general who calls himself Sky-Walker and Rain-Bringer, a warrior unfettered and fearless. They say that he’s a Jedi Knight, that he wields a blue lightsaber and calls the slave-clones by the names they chose for themselves. It’s probably bantha shit, but Nima has to admit that even if it is a lie, it's by far the prettiest one she’s heard in years.

With Anakin off-planet on a mission and her anti-slavery bill being blocked at every turn, Padmé is feeling useless, exhausted, and very, very alone. Enter Nima, a twelve-year-old Amivakka slave of one of Orn Free Taa's aides. After being freed, Nima forces Anakin to remember that which he'd rather forget-- and in doing so, saves Padmé, Anakin, and the galaxy.

Words: 63, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Star Wars - All Media Types, Star Wars Prequel Trilogy

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M

Characters: Padmé Amidala, Anakin Skywalker, Anakin Skywalker | Darth Vader, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Original Female Character(s), CT-7567 | Rex

Relationships: Padmé Amidala/Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi & Anakin Skywalker, Anakin Skywalker & Original Female Character(s), Padmé Amidala & Original Female Character(s)

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Fix-It, Tatooine Slave Culture (Star Wars), Angst with a Happy Ending, Padmé Amidala Lives, Anakin Skywalker Needs a Hug, Anakin Skywalker Doesn't Turn to the Dark Side, Slavery, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, POV Multiple, Anakin Skywalker has PTSD, obi-wan is doing his best

[thepermanentrainpress]

New Music Video: "Leaving" - Hillsboro

[creepingsharia]

540 Local Elected Officials From All 50 States Urge Prez Trump to Import More Refugees to U.S.

Joe Biden has promised to make this happen, including taking in foreigners from terrorist hotspots around the world. In fact, Joe Biden was one of the original architects of the fraud-ridden refugee program that has destroyed neighborhoods across the U.S.

by Ann Corcoran

I told you here that the refugee industry was working on a letter to the President urging him to get the refugee flow into America moving again.

Yesterday they sent the letter with 540 signatories.

Says Amnesty International:

By signing this letter, these elected officials have joined together to voice their commitment to welcoming refugees in their communities and reviving the United States’ legacy as a leader in refugee resettlement.

I notice something missing from the letter. It avoids giving the President a number, but the industry has made it very clear!

They want 95,000 refugees to begin arriving on October first.

The President could make a decision this month on how many refugees might be invited to live in the US in FY2021. He could also legally set the ceiling at zero.

All of my posts on the topic are tagged FY2021.

Here are the signatories from yesterday.  The list is handy for identifying those local elected officials who are changing America by changing the people.

I don’t know why the organizers think that these open borders advocates will hold any sway with the President, but they sure make it handy for you to identify the other side where you live. Target them for retirement when they come up for re-election!

(For a little additional fun, see last year’s list here.)

They say the list is bipartisan, but there is no indication of party affiliation.  You will need to look through those listed in your state to see if Republicans are among those looking to import more poverty to your city.

[Find your state in the list below the fold]

Alabama

Gary Palmer, State Representative, Birmingham Neil Rafferty, State Representative, Birmingham

Alaska Elvi Gray-Jackson, State Senator, Anchorage Andrew Josephson, State Representative, Juneau

Arizona Ylenia Aguilar, School Board Member, Phoenix Lela Alston, State Senator, Phoenix Richard Andrade, State Representative, Phoenix Andres Cano, State Representative, Tucson Steven Chapman, Governing Board Member, Phoenix Cesar Chavez, State Representative, Phoenix Paul Cunningham, Vice Mayor, Tucson Andrea Dalessandro, State Senator, Green Valley Devin Del Palacio, School Board Member, Tolleson Elora Diaz, School Governing Board Member, Phoenix Paul Durham, Councilmember, Tucson Diego Espinoza, State Representative, Avondale Charlene Fernandez, State Representative, Phoenix Kristel Ann Foster, School Board President, Tucson Randall Friese, State Representative, Tucson Rosanna Gabaldon, State Representative, Sahuarita Kate Gallego, Mayor, Phoenix Carlos Garcia, Councilmember, Phoenix Betty Guardado, Vice Mayor, Phoenix Daniel Hernandez, State Representative, Tucson Berdetta Hodge, Tempe Union Governing Board President, Tempe Steve Kozachik, Councilmember, Tucson Lauren Kuby, Councilmember, Tempe Pedro Lopez, Governing Board Member, Phoenix Adam Lopez-Falk, School Board Member, Phoenix Lindsay Love, Chandler Unified School District Governing Board Member, Chandler Juan Mendez, State Senator, Tempe Patrick Morales, Vice President of the Tempe School Elementary Board and Governing Board Member, Tempe The Honorable Channel Powe, Governing Board President, Phoenix Stanford Prescott, Governing Board Member, Phoenix Union High School District, Phoenix Martín Quezada, State Senator, Phoenix Rebecca Rios, State Senator, Phoenix Diego Rodriguez, State Representative, Laveen Regina Romero, Mayor, Tucson Athena Salman, State Representative, Tempe Lane Santa Cruz, Councilmember, Tucson Raquel Teran, State Representative, Phoenix Monica Trejo, School Board Member, Tempe Corey D. Woods, Mayor, Tempe

Arkansas Andrew Collins, State Representative, Little Rock Megan Godfrey, State Representative, Springdale Sonia Gutierrez, Councilmember, Fayetteville Lioneld Jordan, Mayor, Fayetteville Matthew Petty, Councilmember, Fayetteville Joy Springer, State Representative, Little Rock

California Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Assemblymember, Sacramento John J. Bauters, Councilmember, Emeryville Bob Blumenfield, Councilmember, Los Angeles Maya Esparza, Councilmember, San Jose Kevin Faulconer, Mayor, San Diego Eric Garcetti, Mayor, Los Angeles Sam Hindi, Councilmember, Foster City Johnny Khamis, Councilmember, San Jose Paul Koretz, Councilmember, Los Angeles Sheila Kuehl, County Supervisor, Los Angeles Gordon Mar, City and County Supervisor, San Francisco Peggy McQuaid, Vice Mayor, Albany Lisa Middleton, Councilmember, Palm Springs Hillary Ronen, Supervisor, San Francisco Philip Y. Ting, Assemblymember, San Francisco Norman Yee, President, Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco

Colorado KC Becker, State Representative, Boulder Yadira Caraveo, State Representative, Thornton Lisa Cutter, State Representative, Littleton Stephen Fenberg, State Senate Majority Leader, Boulder Stacie Gilmore, Councilmember, Denver Julie Gonzales, State Senator, Denver Michael Hancock, Mayor, Denver Eva Henry, County Commissioner, Thornton John Kefalas, County Commissioner, Fort Collins Chris Kennedy, State Representative, Lakewood Cathy Kipp, State Representative, Fort Collins Robin Kniech, Councilwoman At-Large, Denver Jacob LaBure, Councilman, Lakewood Pete Lee, State Senator, Colorado Springs Susan Lontine, State Representative, Denver Dominick Moreno, State Senator, Commerce City Crystal Murillo, Councilmember, Aurora Deborah Ortega, Councilmember At-Large, Denver Dylan Roberts, State Representative, Avon Amanda P. Sandoval, Councilwoman, Denver Lauren Simpson, Councilmember, Arvada Sam Weaver, Mayor, Boulder Steven Woodrow, State Representative, Denver

Connecticut Roland Lemar, State Representative, New Haven Matthew Lesser, State Senator, Middletown Edwin Vargas, State Representative, Hartford

Delaware Bruce C. Ennis, State Senator, Dover

District of Columbia Brianne K. Nadeau, Councilmember Brooke Pinto, Councilmember Elissa Silverman, Councilmember

Florida Trish Becker, Special District County Commissioner, St. Augustine Christopher Benjamin, State Representative, Miami Gardens Lori Berman, State Senator, Delray Beach Mack Bernard, County Commissioner, West Palm Beach Marlon Bolton, Mayor, Tamarac Emma Collum, Supervisor, Fort Lauderdale Fentrice Driskell, State Representative, Tampa Bobby DuBose, State Representative, Fort Lauderdale Nicholas Duran, State Representative, Miami Buddy Dyer, Mayor, Orlando Anna Eskamani, State Representative, Orlando Jelani Harvey, Supervisor, Plantation Sabrina Javellana, Vice Mayor, Hallandale Beach Evan Jenne, State Representative, Hollywood Shevrin Jones, State Representative, West Park Dotie Joseph, State Representative, Miami Vanessa Joseph, City Clerk, North Miami Sarah Leonardi, Broward School Board Member-Elect, Pompano Beach Amy Mercado, State Representative, Orlando Cindy Polo, State Representative, Hialeah Tina Polsky, State Representative, Boca Raton Harold Pryor, Broward County State Attorney-Elect, Broward County Chelsea Reed, Councilmember, Palm Beach Gardens Alissa Schafer, Supervisor, Soil & Water Conservation District, Pembroke Pines Joshua Simmons, Commissioner, Coral Springs Nick Sortal, Councilmember, Plantation Carlos Guillermo Smith, State Representative, Orlando Linda Stewart, State Senator, Orlando Annette Taddeo, State Senator, Miami Victor Torres, State Senator, Orlando/Kissimmee

Georgia Becky Evans, State Representative, Atlanta Anthony Ford, Mayor, Stockbridge Steve Henson, State Senator, Stone Mountain Zulms Lopez, State Representative-Elect, Atlanta Pedro Marin, State Representative, Duluth

Hawaii Stanley Chang, State Representative, Honolulu Roy Takumi, State Representative, Honolulu Tina Wildberger, State Representative, Kihei

Idaho Shawn Barigar, Councilmember ember, Twin Falls Jimmy Hallyburton, Councilmember, Boise Kendra Kenyon, County Commissioner, Boise Diana Lachiondo, County Commissioner, Boise Lauren McLean, Mayor, Boise Lauren Necochea, State Representative, Boise Melissa Wintrow, State Representative, Boise

Illinois Alma Anaya, County Commissioner, Chicago Scott Britton, County Commissioner, Glenview James Cappleman, Alderman, Chicago Melissa Conyears-Ervin, City Treasurer, Chicago Daniel Didech, State Representative, Buffalo Grove Laura Fine, State Senator, Glenview Robyn Gabel, State Representative, Evanston Edgar Gonzalez, Jr., State Representative, Chicago Will Guzzardi, State Representative, Chicago Lindsey LaPointe, State Representative, Chicago Daniel La Spata, Alderman, Chicago Lori E. Lightfoot, Mayor, Chicago Raymond Lopez, Alderman, Chicago Matthew Martin, Alderman, Chicago Kevin Morrison, County Commissioner, Schaumburg Jonathan “Yoni” Pizer, State Representative, Chicago Ann Rainey, Alderman, Evanston George Van Dusen, Mayor, Skokie Andre Vasquez, Alderman, Chicago

Indiana Zach Adamson, City Councilor, Indianapolis John Hamilton, Mayor, Bloomington Blake Johnson, State Representative, Indianapolis

Iowa Marti Anderson, State Representative, Des Moines Tracy Ehlert, State Representative, Cedar Rapids Lindsay James, State Representative, Dubuque Mary Mascher, State Representative, Iowa City Andy McKean, State Representative, Anamosa Brent Oleson, County Commissioner, Marion Art Staed, State Representative, Cedar Rapids Zacharia Wahls, State Senator, Coralville Stacey Walker, County Supervisor, Cedar Rapids

Kansas Lacey Cruse, County Commissioner, Wichita Joyce Warshaw, Mayor, Dodge City Rui Xu, State Representative, Westwood

Kentucky Nima Kulkarni, State Representative, Louisville Susan Westrom, State Representative, Lexington

Louisiana Cyndi Nguyen, Councilmember, New Orleans

Maine Pious Ali, City Councilor At-Large, Portland Brownie Carson, State Senator, Harpswell Kristen S. Cloutier, State Representative, Lewiston Jim Handy, State Representative, Lewiston Thom Harnett, State Representative, Gardiner Deane Rykerson State Representative, Kittery Point Denise Tepler, State Representative, Topsham

Maryland Malcolm Augustine, State Senator, Annapolis Colin Byrd, Mayor, Greenbelt Julie Palakovich Carr, Delegate, District 17 Kathleen Dumais, State Representative, Annapolis Cindy Dyballa, Councilmember, Takoma Park Brian Feldman, State Senator, Annapolis Jessica Feldmark, Delegate, Columbia David Fraser-Hidalgo, Delegate, Annapolis Dannielle Glaros, County Councilmember, Upper Marlboro Evan Glass, County Councilmember, Montgomery County Edouard Haba, Councilmember, Hyattsville Tom Hucker, Montgomery County Councilmember, Silver Spring Julian Ivey, Delegate, Cheverly Anne Kaiser, Delegate, Silver Spring Kacy Kostiuk, Councilmember, Takoma Park Clarence Lam, State Senator, Columbia Susan Lee, State Senator, Annapolis Mary Lehman, State Representative, Laurel Sara Love, Delegate, Annapolis David Moon, Delegate, Takoma Park Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Delegate, Annapolis Paul Pinsky, State Senator, Hyattsville Sheila Ruth, Delegate, Baltimore Emily Shetty, Delegate, Kensington Jeffrey Zane Slavin, Mayor, Somerset Kate Stewart, Mayor, Takoma Park Deni Taveras, County Councilmember, Adelphi Jeff Waldstreicher, State Senator, Kensington Jheanelle Wilkins, Delegate, Silver Spring Patrick Wojahn, Mayor, College Park

Massachusetts Kenzie Bok, Councilor, Boston Candy Mero Carlson, City Councilor, Worcester Harriette Chandler, State Senator, Worcester Jo Comerford, State Senator, Florence Natalie Higgins, State Representative, Leominster Adam Hinds, State Senator, Pittsfield Kay Khan, State Representative, Newton Daniel Koh, Selectboard Member, Andover Jack Patrick Lewis, State Representative, Framingham Michael Moore, State Senator, Worcester David J. Narkewicz, Mayor, Northampton Tram Nguyen, State Representative, Andover William Reichelt, Mayor , West Springfield Lindsay Sabadosa, State Representative, Northampton Jeffrey Thielman, Arlington School Committee Member, Arlington Martin J. Walsh, Mayor, Boston

Michigan Rosalynn Bliss, Mayor, Grand Rapids Brandon Haskell, County Commissioner, Lansing Steve Maas, Mayor, City of Grandville Gwen Markham, County Commissioner, Novi William Miller, County Commissioner, Pontiac Kurt Reppart, City Commissioner, Grand Rapids Monica Sparks, County Commissioner, Kentwood Robert Wittenberg, State Representative, Huntington Woods Milinda Ysasi, City Commissioner, Grand Rapids Doug Zylstra, County Commissioner, Holland

Minnesota Peter Fischer, State Representative, Maplewood Jacob Frey, Mayor, Minneapolis Cam Gordon, Councilmember, Minneapolis Alice Hausman, State Representative, Saint Paul Kaohly Her, State Representative, Saint Paul Melissa Hortman, State Representative, Brooklyn Park Mitra Jalali, Councilmember, Saint Paul Frank Jewell, County Commissioner, Duluth Andrew Johnson, Councilmember, Minneapolis Sydney Jordan, State Representative, Minneapolis Fue Lee, State Representative, Saint Paul Jamie Long, State Representative, Minneapolis John Marty, State Senator, Roseville Rena Moran, State Representative, Saint Paul Beth Olson, County Commissioner, Duluth Rafael E. Ortega, County Commissioner, Saint Paul Sandy Pappas, State Senator, Saint Paul Dave Pinto, State Representative, Saint Paul Victoria Reinhardt, County Commissioner, White Bear Lake Cory Springhorn, Councilmember, Shoreview Jay Xiong, State Representative, Saint Paul

Mississippi Christopher Bell, State Representative, Jackson Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Mayor, Jackson

Missouri LaDonna Appelbaum, State Representative, St. Louis Shane Cohn, Alderman, St. Louis Marlene Davis, Alderwoman, St. Louis Christine Ingrassia, Alderwoman, St. Louis Kip Kendrick, State Representative, Columbia Lyda Krewson, Mayor, St. Louis Heather Navarro, Alderwoman, St. Louis Lewis Reed, President, Board of Aldermen, St. Louis Annie Rice, Alderwoman, St. Louis

Montana Dick Barrett, State Senator, Missoula Mary Ann Dunwell, State Representative, Helena John Engen, Mayor, Missoula Moffie Funk, State Representative, Helena Katharin Kelker, State Representative, Billings Marilyn Marler, State Representative, Missoula Penny Ronning, Councilwoman, Billings David Strohmaier, County Commissioner, Missoula Juanita Vero, County Commissioner, Missoula Tom Winter, State Representative, Missoula

Nebraska Leirion Gaylor Baird, Mayor, Lincoln Sue Crawford, State Senator, Bellevue Machaela Cavanaugh, State Senator, Lincoln

Nevada Yvanna Cancela, State Senator, Las Vegas Howard Watts, Assemblymember, Las Vegas

New Hampshire Amanda Bouldin, State Representative, Manchester Andrew Bouldin, State Representative, Manchester Lisa Bunker, State Representative, Exeter Joyce Craig, Mayor, Manchester David Doherty, State Representative, Pembroke Nicole Klein Knight, State Representative, Manchester Patrick Long, State Representative & Alderman, Manchester Dr. Peter Somssich, State Representative, Portsmouth George Sykes, State Representative, Lebanon Suzanne Vail, State Representative, Nashua Mary Beth Walz, State Representative, Bow Safiya Wazir, State Representative, Concord Matthew B. Wilhelm, State Representative, Manchester

New Jersey Jim Boyes, Councilman, Westfield David Cohen, Council President, Princeton Leticia Fraga, Councilwoman, Princeton Roy Freiman, Assemblymember, Hillsborough Sadaf Jaffer, Mayor, Montgomery Township Devra Keenan, Committee Member, Montgomery Township, New Jersey Michelle Pirone Lambros, Councilwoman, Princeton Liz Lempert, Mayor, Princeton Gayle Brill Mittler, Mayor, Highland Park Eve Niedergang, Councilmember, Princeton Mia Sacks, Councilmember, Princeton Dwaine Williamson, Councilman, Princeton

New Mexico Karen Bash, State Representative, Albuquerque Timothy Keller, Mayor, Albuquerque Gerald Ortiz y Pino, State Senator, Albuquerque Bill Tallman, State Senator, Albuquerque Renee Villarreal, Councilwoman, Santa Fe

New York Alessandra Biaggi, State Senator, Bronx Karla Boyce, County Legislator, Honeoye Falls Noam Bramson, Mayor, New Rochelle Byron W. Brown, Mayor, Buffalo David Buchwald, Assemblymember, Mount Kisco Bill de Blasio, Mayor, New York City Margaret Chin, Councilmember, New York City Patricia Fahy, Assemblymember, Albany Vincent Felder, Minority Leader of the Monroe County Legislature, Rochester Andrew Gounardes, State Senator, New York City Brad Hoylman, State Senator, New York City Timothy Kennedy, State Senator, Buffalo Liz Krueger, State Senator, New York City Charles Lavine, Assemblymember, Glen Cove Donna Lupardo, Assemblymember, Binghamton Rachel May, State Senator, Syracuse Félix W. Ortiz, Assemblymember, Brooklyn Amy Paulin, Assemblymember, Scarsdale Karines Reyes, Assemblymember, Bronx Carlina Rivera, Councilmember, New York City Linda B. Rosenthal, Assemblymember, New York City Nily Rozic, Assemblymember, Queens Sean Ryan, Assemblymember, Buffalo Kathy Sheehan, Mayor, Albany MaryJane Shimsky, County Legislator, White Plains Jo Anne Simon, Assemblymember, Brooklyn Colin D. Smith, Westchester County Legislator, Peekskill Fred Thiele, Assemblymember, Sag Harbor Daniel Torres, Deputy Supervisor, New Paltz Lovely Warren, Mayor, Rochester Steven Weinberg, Mayor, Village of Thomaston David Weprin, Assemblymember, Fresh Meadows Gregory Young, County Supervisor, Gloversville

North Carolina Vickie Adamson, County Commissioner, Raleigh John Autry, State Representative, Raleigh Mary Belk, State Representative, Charlotte Natalie Beyer, School Board Member, Durham Javiera Caballero, Councilmember, Durham Heidi Carter, County Commissioner, Durham Susan Fisher, State Representative, Asheville Pam Hemminger, Mayor, Chapel Hill Wendy Jacobs, County Commissioner Chair, Durham Jillian Johnson, Mayor Pro Tempore, Durham Lydia Lavelle, Mayor, Carrboro Esther Manheimer, Mayor, Asheville Graig Meyer, State Representative, Raleigh Robert Reives, State Representative, Raleigh Susan Rodriguez-McDowell, County Commissioner, Charlotte Steve Schewel, Mayor, Durham Damon Seils, Councilmember, Carrboro Kandie Smith, State Representative, Greenville Terry Van Duyn, State Senator, Asheville Braxton Winston, Councilmember, Charlotte

North Dakota Tim Mathern, State Senator, Fargo

Ohio Elizabeth Brown, Council President Pro Tempore, Columbus Phyllis Cleveland, Councilmember, Cleveland Valerie Cumming, Vice Mayor, Westerville David Donofrio, Board of Education Member, Southwestern City School District, Columbus Rob Dorans, Councilmember, Columbus Basheer Jones, Councilman, Cleveland Wade Kapszukiewicz, Mayor, Toledo Brian Kazy, Councilman, Cleveland Leeman Kessler, Mayor, Gambier David Leland, State Representative, Columbus Dale Miller, County Councilperson, Cleveland Bhuwan Pyakurel, Councilmember, Reynoldsburg Emmanuel Remy, Councilmember, Columbus Matt Zone, Councilmember, Cleveland

Oklahoma Carrie Blumert, County Commissioner, Oklahoma City James Cooper, Councilperson, Oklahoma City Carri Hicks, State Senator, Oklahoma City

Oregon Chloe Eudaly, Commissioner, Portland Kathryn Harrington, Washington County Commission Chair, Hillsboro Susheela Jayapal, County Commissioner, Portland Alissa Keny-Guyer, State Representative, Portland Teresa Alonso Leon, State Representative, Salem Eddy Morales, Gresham City Councilor, Gresham Sharon Meieran, County Commissioner, Portland Jessica Vega Pederson, County Commissioner, Portland Carla C. Piluso, State Representative, Gresham Carmen Rubio, County Commissioner, Portland Jeff Reardon, State Representative, Portland Ricki Ruiz, Reynolds School Board Member, Gresham Deian Salazar, Precinct Committee Person, Portland Marc San Soucie, City Councilor, Beaverton Lori Stegmann, County Commissioner, Portland Stephanie Stephens, School Board Member, David Douglas School District, Portland Andrea Valderrama, Chair, David Douglas School Board, Portland Marty Wilde, State Representative, Eugene

Pennsylvania Janet Diaz, Councilmember, Lancaster Ronald Filippelli, Mayor, State College Jordan Harris, State Representative (Democratic Whip), Philadelphia Timothy Kearney, State Senator, Springfield James F. Kenney, Mayor, Philadelphia Kevin Madden, County Commissioner, Media Joanna McClinton, State Representative, Philadelphia William Peduto, Mayor, Pittsburgh Joseph Schember, Mayor, Erie Michael Schlossberg, State Representative, Allentown Judith Schwank, State Senator, Reading Brian Sims, State Representative, Philadelphia Jared Solomon, State Representative, Philadelphia Danene Sorace, Mayor, Lancaster Erika Strassburger, Councilmember, Pittsburgh

Rhode Island Jorge Elorza, Mayor, Providence Raymond Hull, State Representative, Providence

South Carolina Carol Jackson, Councilmember, Charleston

South Dakota Shawn Bordeaux, State Representative, Mission Linda Duba, State Representative, Sioux Falls Reynold Nesiba, State Senator, Sioux Falls Ray Ring, State Representative, Vermillion

Tennessee John Ray Clemmons, State Representative, Nashville Indya Kincannon, Mayor, Knoxville Seema Singh, Councilwoman, Knoxville Tangi Smith, County Commissioner, Clarksville

Texas Nicole Collier, State Representative, Fort Worth Vikki Goodwin, State Representative, Austin Donna Howard, State Representative, Austin Celia Israel, State Representative, Austin Clay Jenkins, County Judge, Dallas Ina Minjarez, State Representative, San Antonio Christin Morales, State Representative, Houston Ron Nirenberg, Mayor, San Antonio Letitia Plummer, Councilmember, Houston Edward Pollard, Councilmember, Houston Carl Sherman, State Representative, Lancaster Sylvester Turner, Mayor , Houston

Utah Patrice Arent, State Representative, Millcreek Joel Briscoe, State Representative, Salt Lake City Luz Escamilla, State Senator, Salt Lake City Ann Granato, Salt Lake County Council, Millcreek Stephen Handy, State Representative, Layton Suzanne Harrison, State Representative, Draper Timothy Hawkes, State Representative, Centerville Sandra Hollins, State Representative, Salt Lake City Jani Iwamoto, State Senator-Assistant Minority Whip, Salt Lake City Dan Johnson, State Representative, Logan Brian S. King, State Representative, Salt Lake City Erin Mendenhall, Mayor, Salt Lake City Carol Spackman Moss, State Representative, Holladay Angela Romero, State Representative, Salt Lake City Jeff Silvestrini, Mayor, Millcreek Steve Waldrip, State Representative, Eden Raymond Ward, State Representative, Bountiful Elizabeth Weight, State Representative, West Valley City Mark Wheatley, State Representative, Salt Lake City Jenny Wilson, Mayor, Salt Lake County Mike Winder, State Representative, West Valley

Vermont Thomas Chittenden, City Councilor, South Burlington Brian Cina, State Representative, Burlington Mari Cordes, State Representative, Lincoln Ali Dieng, City Councilor, Burlington Sarah Copeland Hanzas, State Representative, Bradford Kristine Lott, Mayor, Winooski Jim McCullough, State Representative, Williston Ann Pugh, State Representative, South Burlington Marybeth Redmond, State Representative, Essex Robin Scheu, State Representative, Middlebury Joan Shannon, Councilor, Burlington Maida F. Townsend, State Representative, South Burlington Theresa Wood, State Representative, Waterbury Michael Yantachka, State Representative, Charlotte

Virginia Richard Baugh, Councilmember, Harrisonburg Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, Vice Mayor, Alexandria Patrick Hope, Delegate, Arlington Mark Keam, Delegate, Vienna McKinley Price, Mayor, Newport News Sam Rasoul, Delegate, Roanoke Sal Romero, Vice Mayor, Harrisonburg Ibraheem Samirah, Delegate, Herndon Shelly Anne Simonds, Delegate, Newport News Kathy Tran, Delegate, Springfield James Walkinshaw, Supervisor, Fairfax County Justin Wilson, Mayor, Alexandria

Washington Claudia Balducci, County Council Chair, Seattle Reuven Carlyle, State Senator, Seattle Jeannie Darneille, State Senator, Tacoma Mona Das, State Senator, Olympia Jenny A. Durkan, Mayor, Seattle Joe Fitzgibbon, State Representative, West Seattle Jessica Forsythe, Councilmember, Redmond M. Lorena González, City Council President, Seattle Roger Goodman, State Representative, Kirkland Mia Gregerson, State Representative, SeaTac Lisa Herbold, Councilmember, Seattle Sam Hunt, State Senator, Olympia Jay Inslee, Governor, Olympia Karen Keiser, State Senator, Des Moines Jeanne Kohl-Welles, King County Councilmember, Seattle Connie Ladenburg, County Councilmember, Tacoma Liz Lovelett, State Senator, Anacortes Jamie Pedersen, State Senator, Seattle Gerry Pollet, State Representative, Seattle Chris Roberts, Councilmember, Shoreline Cindy Ryu, State Representative, Shoreline Rebecca Saldana, State Senator, Seattle Sharon Tomiko Santos, State Representative, Olympia Tana Senn, State Representative, Mercer Island Derek Stanford, State Senator, Bothell My-Linh Thai, State Representative, Newcastle Dave Upthegrove, Councilmember, Des Moines Javier Valdez, State Representative, Seattle Derek Young, County Councilmember, Tacoma

West Virginia Rosemary Ketchum, Councilwoman, Wheeling

Wisconsin Samba Baldeh, Alder, Madison Shiva Bidar, Councilmember, Madison David Bowen, State Representative, Milwaukee Jonathan Brostoff, State Representative, Milwaukee Ryan Clancy, County Supervisor, Milwaukee Michele Doolan, Dane County Supervisor, Cross Plains Julie Gordon, County Board Supervisor, Oshkosh Michael Norton, County Commissioner, Oshkosh Shawn Rolland, County Board Supervisor, Wauwatosa Sequanna Taylor, County Supervisor, Milwaukee Michael Tierney, Alder, Madison Michael Verveer, Alderperson, Madison

Wyoming Charles Pelkey, State Representative, Laramie Mike Yin, State Representative, Jackson

[brittanyroars]

So this is all in America: Harvey Milk. Assassinated 1978 San Fran Lesbian Bar. Women attacked by off duty police. 1979 Tennessee William. Beaten by teenagers, 1979 Charlie Howard. Drowned to death 1984 Rebecca Wight. Straight guy saw her have sex with partner. Shot to death. 1988 James Zappalorti. Gay Vietnam War vet. Stabbed to death. 1990 Paul Broussard. Murdered. 1991 Allen Schindler. Stomped to death by fellow US navy officer. 1992 Brandon Teena. Trans, was raped and murdered when birth gender revealed. 1993 Scott Amedure. Admitted attraction to friend. Murdered. 1995 Roxanne Ellis & Michelle Abdill. Lesbian couple, murdered, 1995 Ali Forney. Trans, Shot to death. 1997 The Otherside Lounge. Lesbian club, Bombed. 1997 Matthew Shepard. Gay student, tortured, tied to a fence and left to die. 1998 Gary Matson & Winfield Mowder. Gay couple. Murdered. 1999 Barry Winchell. US Army Pfc. Beaten to death with Baseball bat. 1999 Steen Fenrich. Murdered by stepfather. 1999 Arthur Warren. Beaten to death. 2000 Danny Overstreet. Shot to death & 7 injured when a man entered a gay bar to "Do Gods work". 2000 Nizah Morris. Trans. Homicide. 2002 Gwen Araujo. Trans. Murdered 2002 Sakia Gun. 15 years old lesbian. Murdered when two guys propositioned her and her friend. When they said they were lesbians, they attacked. 2003 Richie Phillips. Murdered. 2003 Glenn Kopitske. Shot and Stabbed. 2003 Scotty Weaver. Beaten, strangled, stabbed partially decapitated, and doused in gas. 2004 Ronnie Paris. THREE YEAR OLD BOY MURDERED BY HIS FATHER BECAUSE HE WAS CONCERNED HIS BOY WAS GOING TO BE GAY AND GROW UP A SISSY. (if you still reading this and still think Boston should have a straight parade GO FUCK YOURSELF.) 2005 Jason Gage. Murdered with a bottle, and stabbed in the neck. 2005 Six men were attacked with baseball bats and knives leaving a gay pride festival. 2006 Michael Sandy. Lured by four men into meeting after chatting online. He was struck by a car trying to escape. Died. 2006 Andrew Anthos. 72, disabled gay. Beaten with a lead pipe. 2007 Sean William Kennedy. Punched to death. 2007 Duanna Johnson. Trans, beaten by a police officer. Several months later, found gun down by three unknown individuals. 2008 Lawrence King. 15,  shot twice by classmate. 2008 Angie Zapata. Beaten to death. 2008 Nima Daivari. Attacked by a man who called him faggot. Police came, refused to report it. 2008 Illinois elementary school bus driver lead a homophobic attack on a 10 year old, with the other passengers. (Again, still reading? Still want that parade? Go fuck yourself.) 2008  Lateisha Green. Trans, shot, 2008 Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover.  11 years old.  Hung himself with an extension cord because of  his peers who said he acted feminine and gay. (Do I really have to say it?) 2009 Seaman August Provost. Shot, and burned at his guard post. Another victim of "don't ask, dont tell.". 2009 CeCe McDonald. Trans, stabbed to death with scissors. Attacker only got 19 months. 2011 Mark Carson. Shot to death by a man who trailed and taunted him. 2013. 49 killed. 53 injured. Orlando Nightclub. 2016.

Bonus round: Here are some articles for ones within the last few months not just in the states but also around the world.

https://www.apnews.com/7120d51cef74406fbb4f070327951190

https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/14/us/austin-texas-hate-crime/index.html

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/gay-couple-beaten-southbank-london-hate-crime-met-police-a8716851.html

https://centerforblackequity.org/neighbors-refused-to-call-police-as-gay-couple-beaten-and-stabbed-outside-home/

https://www.outsports.com/2018/6/14/17464374/gay-world-cup-russia-attack

https://www.kmov.com/news/video-captures-brutal-beating-of-gay-couple-at-miami-pride/article_2b1ed709-ae98-5abf-80de-7bb5a48323cc.html Go ahead. Tell me how many straight hate crimes happen in America. I will be sitting here waiting.

[thewidowstanton]

Romy Bauer, aerial snow globe contortionist, Circus Starr and Gandeys Circus

Romy Bauer was born in Blackpool to Kim and Max Bauer and is a seventh-generation circus artist. Having first appeared in the ring as a tiny child, she now specialises as an aerial contortionist and performs inside a clear perspex globe, while snowflakes fall from the cupola. She is currently taking a break from touring with Carol and Phillip Gandey’s Circus Starr, which has been providing free entertainment for disadvantaged and disabled children for 30 years, while also raising money for local charities.

Romy joins a huge line-up of international artists in Gandeys Circus Halloween Spooktacular show at Merry Hill Shopping Centre in Dudley from 20-29 October 2017, before returning to Circus Starr. She chats to Liz Arratoon.

The Widow Stanton: Tell us about your family background. I know your mum was a trapeze artist… Romy Bauer: I was born when mum and dad were working at Blackpool Tower Circus; my dad is Swiss and my mum is English. My grandmother on my mother’s side, Madge Summerfield [pictured below], used to do aerial as well; she did corde lisse, and was also a trapeze artist and did bareback horse riding. My grandfather, Holley Gray [also pictured], had the world record in plate-spinning and did juggling. Back in the day he was on quite a few TV adverts and things like that. My grandmother’s parents were tight-rope walkers.

On the other side of my family, my father did a Risley act with his sister and his mother, and she also did a foot-juggling act. That was my grandmother’s main act. My dad had done a few different acts with his sister; he did slack wire with the bouncy rope, and he did that with my mother as well after they met. His sister, Christine, did a cradle act with her husband and they actually have their own show now in Spain. It used to be Circus Tonelli and now it’s called Circus Las Vegas.

Have you got any siblings? I have a sister, who’s 14. She’s still at school at the moment so she hasn’t really started any training. She’s more into the singing side of stuff.

Do you remember your first time in the ring? Yes, I was about three or four, and it was in the foot-juggling act wth my grandmother. The whole family was in it; my dad, my mum, my dad’s mother, my auntie Christine, her husband, and her son, my cousin Tony, who’s in Spain with the rest of my family. So it was a really nice big act. At the end of it my grandmother used spin me and Tony round on her feet in little chairs at either end of a pole. We were so small; she used to do it with my dad and his sister but we were a lot lighter for her. [Laughs]

Did you go to an ordinary school? I first went to Brereton Primary School in Congleton for a few moths of the year when we weren’t working, and they used to set me coursework that I’d do through the year. It was lovely. They used to have a travelling teachers’ association and they’d come out to me every few months and check my progress, but it was very different with secondary school; they didn’t offer that. So I left the circus then and finished all my school stuff. I went to college for a little bit and studied fashion and textiles, I worked in Starbucks for a little bit but didn’t really enjoy it as much, and then I came back to the circus.

Do you make your own costumes? I like to as best as I can, and generally try to keep them unique. I adapt costumes that I buy, or my mum tends to make them for me. [Laughs]

Was it inevitable you’d follow your parents into the circus? Yes, but it was important that they gave me other options; I had paths to choose from. And when I was younger I also did a lot of training with contortionists and aerialists so I had the base of everything if I did decide I wanted to go back to the circus. I think I got the best of both worlds and I got to make my own mind up. I’m very happy with my choice. 

Who trained you in contortion? We had a Mongolian couple, called Zorig and Nima, who did an act on the show when we were young, and they used to train me. I’d go for two or three hours every day as well as doing my school work. As I got older, Said Debbach trained me in all the aerial stuff I do now.

Were you naturally flexible? I had a good base of flexibility but obviously as you get older, you don’t keep it forever; I had to keep it up. If you start before you’re 14, you tend to be very flexible and if that’s what you choose to do, you have to focus on it. Even when I was at school, I thought, ‘Oh, I still have to keep up my flexibility in case I do decide to go back’. It was something I had to work on.

I expect your schoolfriends were pretty impressed by you… Yeah, they were, [laughs]. I used to do cheerleading as well, just to keep me, you know, interested in all the physical side of stuff, because it does tend to slip away in secondary school. Your thoughts are of the future and you’re just kind of focused on school work and socialising. [Laughs]

Do you do any other aerial acts? Yes, I do aerial hoop and I’m training static trapeze at the moment. It’s gonna be a contortion static trapeze, so I’m really looking forward to that. It’s pretty; I’ve been looking at some tricks on the internet and just trying them out. I need to spend some time with Said to get it really good.

So what drew you to aerial initially? There was always something about it when I was young, I always wanted to… but obviously my mum and dad wouldn’t really… They’d let me have a look at it, but they wouldn’t let me go too high because of safety. You know what parents are like! But there’s always been something that’s just wowed me about it. We used to have a Russian artist on the show called Victoria Antipova, who does aerial rope… You just look like you’re flying and you’re a beautiful star in the sky… I just always wanted to do that.

What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to someone starting aerial? That they need strength, definitely, and not to be scared. If you’re scared then you will automatically get something wrong. You have to be positive all the time. If you think, ‘I’m gonna fall, I’m gonna fall’, you probably will, so don’t think about it. And don’t go ridiculously high if you’ve never done it before. Stay low, get the basics, get a feel of it, and then you can start to go higher.

Where is the main strength in your body? I have mainly core strength. Because of the contortion I can’t be overly strong because I have to remain supple. I got my muscles from my dad so my natural physique is quite muscular but they’re not that useful really. [Laughs]

You’re usually with Circus Starr; what can you tell us about it? It’s a non-profit charity organisation and we give disadvantaged and vulnerable children the chance to see a live show where they can feel comfortable in their environment. We have a lot of children with autism and we have an app called The Show and Tell App. It gives them like a preview of the show, so in their heads they can get an idea of where we’re going, what it looks like inside, what the people look like, what will actually happen.

And we’ve just started a thing called The Touch Tour and audio description in our shows. We open before the show for the partially sighted and blind children and bring out all the props and wear our costumes so they can come up close and feel what they are like. Some of them can see really close up so they can get an idea of what’s going on. During the live performance they have an audio describer from VocalEyes describing what’s going on and because they’ve just felt the props they can understand what things look like. It’s really lovely; really lovely, and a very important thing to do. Sometimes we visit the local children’s hospitals. Working for Circus Starr is amazing and makes you see everything differently.

Have you worked abroad at all? I’ve worked in Spain and I worked in Hong Kong with Gandeys for four months two Christmases ago with Royalles British Thrill Circus. That was amazing. It was such a different culture. I loved working there. It was very, very nice, but after four months I found the food very difficult. I was a vegetarian a few years ago and I’m a bit funny about meat. It’s not for me. [Laughs]

Did you ever appear in the Gandeys’ wonderful show, Cirque Surreal? Yes, we did it at the Lowry in Manchester two years ago.

You must like working for Gandeys having stayed so long… When I was four years old my parents started working for Gandeys so I’ve basically grown up here. My dad is still with the company and is the tent master and general manger of the shows. Sometimes he’s managing The Ladyboys of Bangkok, most recently he’s been on Gandeys Circus. Phillip and Carol are like my adopted parents; they’ve always looked after me and made me feel welcome. Carol frequently introduces me as her fourth daughter, so they’re family to me and I just love it here. There’s no reason for me to look anywhere else because everything I’ve needed is here.

If not circus, what else might you consider doing? I really haven’t thought about it but I think I’d enjoy doing fashion. I’d probably try to make some costumes and sell them on. I’d be interested in that and might do it when I retire from the ring. That would be lovely and I’d still feel involved in shiny stuff; it would be very shiny! [Laughs]

Can you pick out a few highlights from your lifetime in the circus? Well, when I was younger on the show, that was amazing! I got such great experience here and I had a friend with me, a young boy, and we used to play all day, in the fields or in the park and that was always fun. We’d go to so many different places, which was amazing. Hong Kong is another big highlight. And performing again after having such a long break at school was the best feeling as well; just to be back in the ring was amazing.

Romy will appear in Gandeys Circus Halloween Spooktacular at Merry Hill Shopping Centre car park in Dudley from 20-29 October 2017, before returning to Circus Starr.

For Merry Hill tickets click here

Circus Starr tour dates

Romy on Facebook

Twitter: @romybauer @gandeyscircus @CircusStarr

Follow @TheWidowStanton on Twitter

See our interviews with other artists from Gandeys Circus: Nikolay Karakolev and Las Chicas Morales

[record-super-chart]

BEST Top 100 #House Music Edition Vol.20 (2017)

Genre: Electronic, Deep/Tech House, Club House, Electro House Quality: 320 kbps Format: MP3 Date: 08.10.2017 Type: Compilation Size: 1.11 GB 01. Adam K feat. Matthew Steeper - Come Alive [3:09] 02. Alan Walker - Sing Me to Sleep [3:09] 03. Alex Schulz - Real Love (Alex Schulz Emotion Remix) [3:15] 04. Arash Seda & Nima Dalton - Wait for U (feat. The Being) [5:09] 05. Armin van Buuren feat. BullySongs - Freefall (Manse Remix) [2:33] 06. Arty feat. Conrad Sewell - Braver Love [3:34] 07. Autoerotiq... Читать дальше »