
PART 1 ARTICLE 18 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫
From the moment I leave my house and set out on Route 6, a unique excitement floods my body, mind, and soul. This journey to Provincetown (affectionately known as Ptown) holds profound meaning for me, an anchor of joy and belonging. The long drive along Route 6, winding past Route 6A motels and into vistas of sand dunes and salt marshes, only deepens my anticipation. Cresting the hill just before entering Ptown proper, I see it: the vibrant community and the diverse, inclusive haven that has been my touchstone for over sixty years.

Parking at MacMillan Pier, I drift slowly toward Commercial Street, the bustling heart of Ptown. The salt breeze, the lobster traps, and boats rocking gently on the water all speak to me, signaling that I’m home.
My first stop, as tradition holds, is the Post Office Cafe, where for years I’ve enjoyed some of the best breakfasts around. But this time, I’m also on a personal quest to reconnect with Seanelle, a warmhearted bartender and friend; a figure whose spirit embodies the fun and values of this special place.
Learning he no longer works there brought a pang of sadness. Yet, in a perfect twist of fate, the owner invited me to the last seat at a sold-out drag brunch — a Ptown staple — and soon, eggs, toast, coffee, and a mimosa sat before me as drag queens in sequined ball gowns belted out soulful tunes. Watching these performers’ bold displays of self-acceptance, from elaborate makeup to expressive costumes, always makes me happy as I love to see people who are now free enough to be themselves. Jizzelle, in particular, stole the show, singing in her own voice, full beard and all. Here in Provincetown, drag culture is celebrated in a way that transcends performance; it’s a joyful embrace of individuality, a reflection of Ptown’s longtime commitment to unconditional acceptance.
Drag shows, to me, symbolize so much more than entertainment. They are cultural markers of resilience and freedom, embodying the journey toward self-actualization. For decades, Provincetown has stood as a sanctuary of inclusivity, a testament to diversity and the acceptance of people exactly as they are.

I must digress a bit here. Jizzelle’s bearded appearance takes me back to San Francisco in the 90s when my family accompanied Uncle Dave (my brother-in-law) to the huge Gay Pride Parade. Coming from provincial Massachusetts, I thought about what my contemporaries would think of me bringing my children (ages 7-12) to an event that even I found shocking at the time. Dave’s neighbor, an adorable eight-year-old San Francisco girl, stated in all seriousness, “I really prefer my drag queens without beards.” I replied, “We all do, honey,” as my less progressive Massachusetts kids looked on with mouths agape. Jizzelle, however, has forever changed my mind on this issue.

As I contemplated my friends’ shocked reactions, then-mayor Gavin Newsom came over and shook all our hands. A photo of this apparently appeared on the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle. My hopes for winning the “Mother of the Year” Award were once again dashed.
Moving on…
During this brunch, I glimpsed Seanelle through the window. It felt like destiny. Our reunion was laced with bittersweet honesty as he shared his regret, at age 58, of not fully stepping into his own identity out of fear of rejection.
It brought to mind my own journey toward self-expression, reminding me that self-actualization often requires us to abandon caution and embrace courage. With his butterfly earrings shimmering in the light, Seanelle seemed like a chrysalis about to emerge into the vibrant life he’s always deserved.

After we said goodbye, I wandered along Commercial Street, feeling a deep connection to Ptown’s spirit of unity. This feeling took me back to a bench where, at 18, I once sat with a kind, 73-year-old gentleman dressed in a royal blue sequined dress. He shared with me his lifelong struggle to be himself, an experience that, in that moment, reshaped my understanding of humanity. In Provincetown, he found a safe space to finally feel free. That encounter changed my life, leading me to discard the restrictive beliefs of Catholicism or any organized religion that might reject him or anyone for that matter. At that moment I knew I needed to seek a spirituality grounded in love and the acceptance of all people.
Town Hall of Provincetown Massachusetts USA August 2017 at the end of Cape Cod Provincetown has a large gay population of residents and tourists.

This seaside town, founded as an old Portuguese fishing village, is a beacon of inclusivity, welcoming everyone — gay, straight, black, white, young, old, anyone seeking a haven of acceptance. Its openness and warmth echo through every interaction. It has even taken me in – young, old and many times broken – embracing my own story of transformation and self-discovery. This unique culture — so deeply rooted in diversity, joy, and humanity — has given me more than I could have ever imagined. What an extraordinary world it would be if this spirit of Ptown could infuse every community.

Provincetown has taught me so much about being present and living authentically, and I often find myself asking: How can we share this joy, this spirit of acceptance, with the world at large? Perhaps, if the rest of the world embraced love and diversity as this magical place does, we could create a joyously happy world — one person, one heart at a time.