By David Dodge

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The hardest part of this pandemic for me is that I’ve been unable to see my kids for the last three months, with me living in the epicenter here in NYC and they living with their moms in CT. I also recognize how lucky that makes me, that this is my biggest struggle during this insane time. I am healthy, employed and doing just fine otherwise — which I know is thanks in no small part to the privileges I enjoy in this life as a white cisgender man. . So this picture, of my three kids attending their first protest with their moms in support of #blacklivesmatter in Fairfield CT, melts my heart for so many reasons— because I so wish I could have been there to experience this with them, because I was unknowingly protesting with them at the same time at a local rally here in NYC, and because I’m SO DAMN proud of their moms for doing the hard, necessary work of educating three young white kids about the need to stand up for black lives. I miss you all, and can’t wait to see you all soon. @klawten @vlawten @norabenzandmaya #blacklivesmatter

NY’s nightlife industry has been decimated by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and LGBTQ people, who are more likely to work hospitality and service jobs, have been esp hard hit... . But the city’s queer DJs, party promoters, and artists are finding innovative ways to keep the party going online, raise money for out of work nightlife employees, and turn a look or two while doing in. My latest for @cntraveler, link in bio! . Huge thanks to: @mariescrisis @brandonjamesg @stonewallgives @thestonewallinn @lebainnyc @occupythedisco @rubhatt @tadeumag @appelbomb @houseofyesnyc @bkqueerflea @ronsese @hb8 for the interviews and suggestions. And check out my stories for a lil peek at these parties and ways to get involved... . If you know of other cool queer stuff coming up in the next month or two message me for future roundups!

Might be my favorite essay I’ve written—a little story for @outmagazine involving questionable art, a nude yogi, and my mother: “A misanthrope’s guide to Airbnb: My first lesson in BDSM.” . The internet says I published this 4 years ago today, but I never posted it here for some reason. (Probably to avoid having to write the words “nude yogi” and “my mother” in the same sentence?) Figured now’s a good time, what with the world ending and all. Link in bio!

COVID-19 has had a huge impact on pregnant people, but the crisis is affecting those forming families in less traditional ways as well — via adoption, foster care and surrogacy. Read more in my latest piece for @nytimes @nytparenting link in bio... . Thanks in particular to the parents who spoke with me for this piece despite their difficult circumstances. Jonny and Patty, a Chinese couple, are currently stuck in quarantine in Cambodia, and may miss the birth of their son, due via surrogacy in South Carolina next week. Thomas and Callie, a couple in TN, have had their adoption of a 3-year-old boy from Xi'an, China indefinitely postponed... . Also, thanks to the experts at @growinggenerations, @circlesurrogacy, @HoltInternational @irlawgroup @theamarafamily for their help with this article.

Baby’s first scanner! Finally able to upload some of my old print-only pieces, starting with this one for @travelandleisure, exploring how globetrotting LGBTQ families are helping make the travel industry more inclusive. Full story is on my site, link in bio. . #travel #lgbta #gaydads #lesbianmoms #luxurytravel #lgbtqpride

Happy 1st birthday to the happiest baby on the planet! (Or so I’m told I’ve only really ever been around three of them?) Thanks for being so good for your moms, but maybe be a little less good unless you want to end up with 10 more siblings. . From birth, this little ball of actual, literal sunshine has known how to werq a photo shoot 💁🏻‍♀️ swipe for some of my favs. But sorry she’s unavailable for bookings at this time. . Also a very happy bday to her mom @klawten! I’ll spare you the photo spread!

#instanigel #palmsprings

All tagged Belmond Hotel Group

Aug 21

Aug 21 Glass Gets Mothered by Le Mamme Del Borgo in Motta Camastra, Sicily

David Dodge

Travel

“TWIST more slowly,” Mariangela instructed me, through a translator, in her native Sicilian dialect. Mariangela was attempting to teach me her homespun macaroni-making method as part of a private cooking class arranged by the Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea, a beachside resort in Taormina, Sicily. The process, which Mariangela made look effortless, involves forming fresh pasta around a thin wire before twisting the resulting noodle off, all without breaking the dough. I kept breaking the dough.

Aug 15

Aug 15 Glass Finds Serenity in Venice at the Belmond Hotel Cipriani

David Dodge

Travel

NO TRIP to Venice is complete without a walk across the majestic Rialto Bridge or a climb to the top of Campanile Bell Tower. But after a day or two of visiting Venice’s most recognizable sights alongside 60,000 of your closest friends—which is the average number of tourists who fan out across the tiny city on any given day in summer—even the hardiest of travellers will be ready for some Venetian experiences, minus the claustrophobia.