Welcome to the fourth Friday in February!

Temperatures are warmer here, although there is a lot of snow still coming down in the mountains not that far away. And I know much of the rest of the country is still dealing with the fallout of those severe winter storms. Our state wildlife department is still urging us not to put our bird feeders and such back up, and I must say I really miss seeing all the birds outside my window. Also, the coolest of the Valentine’s Day gifts my husband gave me was a hanging bird bath for our veranda, and as of now I’m not allowed to put it up until April.

Meanwhile, we have the Friday Five. This week I bring you: the top five stories of the week, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, five stores from my local news, five stories about the pandemic, five stories about haters and other deplorables, and five videas (plus things I wrote and some notable obituaries).

This Week in News to Just Be Happy About:

I Miss My Bar – Recreate Your Favorite Bar’s Atmosphere. Yes, this link was in my Monday Update post, but I think it is worth linking to once again a free web site that allows you to generate a customized sound ambience as if you are out at a bar or restaurant rather than quarantine…

Stories of the Week:

Landmark LGBTQ civil rights legislation passes House in bipartisan vote – The Equality Act is now going to the Senate, where it faces an uphill fight against Republican opposition.

Lawyers have found the parents of 105 separated migrant children in past month – The parents of 506 separated migrant children still haven’t been found, however. Lawyers say the parents of 322 of them were likely to have been deported.

Baffled Canadians Spread Reports Of ‘Hard’ Butter.

Republicans Go To War While Democrats Try To Negotiate.

I’m Being Censored, and You Can Read, Hear, and See Me Talk About It in the News, on the Radio, and on TV.

This Week in News for Queers and Allies:

Black & Gay Back In The Day: The Story Behind The Archive.

5.6% of American adults say they are LGBTQ. Over half identify as bisexual – The number of LGBTQ Americans coming out and claiming their identity just keeps growing.

Furious crowd forces armed police officers to release men arrested for kissing on a beach – Parents and locals started chanting “I’m gay!” and “I’m gay too!” in solidarity with the men as they surrounded the cops.

How Black LGBTQ talent helped shape the history of modern music.

What Trans Elder Miss Major Griffin-Gracy Wants You to Know.

This Week In News Local to Me:

Washington state wildlife officials: Leave bird feeders down until April.

Washington State Supreme Court Rules the Simple Possession Law is Unconstitutional – Former U.S. Attorney John McKay weighs in on a State Supreme Court ruling that found Washington’s simple drug possession law is unconstitutional.

Washington State Patrol worker arrested for child rape investigation in undercover sting.

WA Insurance Commissioner Calls for the Death of His Own Bill After Senate Democrats Gut It.

King County to reexamine decades-old bicyclist helmet law – The move by the King County Board of Health comes after a Crosscut report showing disproportionate enforcement toward homeless people.

This Week in the Pandemic:

Covid Hospital Admissions Drop 72%, Led by Oldest U.S. Patients.

Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine deemed “safe and effective” by the FDA.

Amid COVID-19 pandemic, flu has disappeared in the US.

Moderna says new version of vaccine is tailored to quell infection by South Africa variant.

Half Million US People Die Of The Coronavirus.

This Week in Haters and Other Deplorable People:

Southern Baptists oust 2 churches over LGBTQ inclusion.

Evangelical Leaders Condemn ‘Radicalized Christian Nationalism’. As my grandpa would say, “Y’all are closing the barn door long, long, long after the horses ran away.”

Rand Paul goes on unhinged transphobic rant at Dr. Rachel Levine’s confirmation hearing – “Genital mutilation,” Paul bellowed as he started questioning the first transgender person nominated to a Senate-confirmed position, Dr. Rachel Levine.

State judge rejects motion by right-wing robocallers to toss case.

Republican asks for a moment of silence for Rush Limbaugh during LGBTQ Equality Act debate – Over a week after Rush Limbaugh died, Rep. Ralph Norman wanted the House to take a moment of silence for the notorious homophobe during the historic LGBTQ debate – His request was rejected.

In Memoriam:

Pioneering Lesbian and Feminist Activist Ivy Bottini Has Died at 94.

Farewell to Jan Morris, Groundbreaking Trans Explorer of Realms.

Lawrence Ferlinghetti, City Lights founder and champion of the Beat Generation, dead at 101.

‘It’s not in books, it’s in the world’: Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s shining legacy.

James Burke, Five Stairsteps Singer Who Crooned ‘O-o-h Child,’ Dead at 70.

Things I wrote:

WandaVision goes Modern while really breaking all the walls.

Monday Update 2/22/2021: For whom the subpoena tolls… plus some free ambience!

Videos!

NASA’s Thrilling Mars Landing Is The Good News Pandemic-Weary America Needs:

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The GOP Is Actively Working to Restrict Voting in Key States | The Daily Social Distancing Show:

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Great Vaccine News Has Everyone Asking When Life Will Return to Normal: A Closer Look:

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Bernie Sanders on Raising the Minimum Wage, Big Lies from Republicans & Biden’s Health Care Plan:

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Tina (2021): Official Teaser:

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