a huge ally..

I've seen many of us here, and I wanted to give us an opportunity to officially say hello to our GLBTQ family.   (Assuming that's okay).  I know sometimes we feel a little wierd and don't want to invade this safe space but I've always felt welcome and wanted to give other's like me a chance to say "hi" as well.

A little about my story.

My best friends are a lesbian couple ( I actually introduced them).  They've now been together for 12 years and are just got approved to adopt their first child.  They are also my son's godparents and my will states that the are to become his gaurdian should anything happen to me. 

My father is gay and left my mother when I was a year old in order to be himself.  It's unfortunate that his family and my mother could never come around and he has cut all ties to his family.  His brother found him a few years ago but he wants to be left alone with no reminders of his previous life (including me).  I have to respect that but this more than anything has fulled my passion for equal justice for all.  Because of misguided ,homophobic, irrational fears, I'm missing out on my dad.  

Anywho, I thought I'd share and once again say thanks for making me feel welcome here!

Sherrie (proud to be an "honarary lesbian" )

my friends are trying to recruit me for the free toaster  oven!;) (thanks Mary)

:)

my friends are trying to recruit me for the free toaster ;)

Wait a second... no one told me about the free toaster!  Maybe I should switch teams! hee hee :)

My name is Sam, and I like men :)    I grew up with parents who thankfully taught me never to judge anyone, and to treat everyone as I wanted to be treated.  I started doing theatre when I was 8, and probably met my first gay man shortly thereafter.  It never occurred to me that a gay man or woman was any "different" than me, other than who they are attracted to.  I went to a woman's college and  was labeled a lesbian just cause I hung out with a few and lived in the same house as a couple.  huh??  I guess I could get that toaster after all!

To me, it's not a matter of "gay rights" but civil equality... why should someone attracted to and in love with the same sex not have the same protections and citizenship rights as me... it's a total DUH... but then again, I'm that other "L" word (liberal) hehe

Peace & love to us all :)

Ok, your friends don't get a toaster if you 'turn', they get a toaster oven, lol.  That whole thing I believe started on Ellen, when she had her 1st comedy series.

You guys rock btw!!

Sam - don't you love the 'guilt by association'?  I was 'accused' of being a lesbian prior to falling for DP, I was actually in a hetero relationship at the time.  ;-)  I just figured I evolved slower than most.....lol

hee hee Mary.. ..I loved it (being gossiped about)!  I was engaged at the time and my roomate (aka "girlfriend") was pining away for her guy best friend from high school....  does this mean I'm still "evolving"... should I warn DH????? hee hee

Weeeelllllll, hmmmmm. I don't know if you should warn your hubby Sam! lol  I'm not even going there!  When DP & I were just best buds, people at work would ask me if I was a lesbian or if 'I was one of them'.  Even my now ex asked me if I was one of them. lol 

What a great thread, Sherrie!!

Let's see.....I grew up with parents who taught me to be open to each individual and judge them on their merits, not on anything else.  That said, I didn't know anybody who was gay until college.  In my very first english lit class, I made friends with the sweetest guy....developed a crush on him and THEN found out he was gay.  LOL!  Story of my life.  :)

Nowadays, we have a family member that came out to DH & I (but not the rest of the family) and being as supportive as we can. 

Also, my son's best buddy at church is the oldest of 6 kids (10 yo, twin 8 yos, 5 or 6 yo and twin 3 yos!) and his parents are a great lesbian couple.  We've met numerous gay couples both at this church and our last in Georgia, who have become lifelong friends and will always be a part of our life.

And, last but certainly not least, we have my son's adult "girlfriend"......Miss Jessie!  He was a little jealous when she married Miss Greta, but he got over it when he realized that maybe they could adopt him and he could go live with their lovely puppy Scout.  :)  Seriously though, one of my favorite moments of this past summer was after a vacation bible school day and my son was discussing that his best buddy had 2 moms.  He paused for a little while and then said, "I hope Miss Jessie and Miss Greta have a big family like that someday."  Made me tear up!!! 

I wish everyone could be as open and accepting as children.  

ahhhhhhh... Carole, that's so sweet!! I hope they do too, then they can bring the brood to my store and Aaron can babysit! :)

ETA: I love kids and their "opennes"  too :)  Aaron doesn't bat an eye at church when the couples hold hands and snuggle, I wish all kids could witness loving couples!

Carole - I was going to ask if I could mention that story about Derek.  It STILL brings tears to my eyes.  I saved that whole message you sent me and shared it with so many people.  The beauty of a child, man.  Derek is so fabulous.  He'll always be my boyfriend - I always wanted to date a hip-hop dancer anyway.  Like I've said, Carole, you have raised a wonderful son.  You too Sam & Sherrie with your boys!

Awwww, thanks Jessie.  We think he's pretty cool, but we're obviously biased.  ;)

(BTW, Derek wants to be like Justin Timberlake as a dancer.....could that be more perfect for your young boyfriend?!  LOL!)

OMG I LOVEEEEEEEEEEE JUSTIN!!!!!!!

I belong to a women's (read lesbian) potluck group that meets once a month.  There are about 55 members.  Fully 80% were married and many of those have kids.  (myself included)  Most of the women in this group range in age from 30s on up to 60s. 

Not sure if this is women wising up, finally admitting what their orientation was all along, coming out of the closet,  or evolving.  Just food for thought.

Colleen

I am the proud mother of a son who is gay.  I edited this to change the way I'd first posted.  He's NOT my gay son.  He's my son (first) who is gay.

My BFF's brother (whom she lived with until just recently) is gay.

I was the "witness" at the (no longer legal) marriage of 2 of my best friends (lesbians) wedding in Oregon a couple of years ago.

I was introduced to my husband by a gay friend (they worked together).

I have harboured secret feelings of wanting another woman to make love to me but have never acted on them.

I find M/M sex scenes extremely erotic (and a good portion of women's erotica includes them).

Yet I, for the most part, stay out of this forum.  Not that I've EVER been made to feel uncomfortable (in fact, sweet Erin first contacted me after seeing me post here!) but because I thought maybe all of you would prefer to have your own place.  As I mentioned to Jessie, as a romance reader (with our own forum) I wouldn't want a SciFi fan coming in.

Am I wrong?

I view it that anyone should be welcome in any forum as long as they are respectful and want to share ideas, life stories, opinions, news, etc.

It is only someone who would be disrespectful or come in to a forum with the sole intent of causing a ruckus that I would object to...on ANY given forum. And hopefully THAT particular issue has been dealt with for good.

And, Ani,,,,not that it makes a difference one way or another but, since your son is gay, I for one think you have a vested interest in this particular forum. And I am sure many of us appreciate your openess & honesty when it comes to discussing LGBT issues and your feelings.

Ani,

I genuinely do not know a GLTB or Q person who would not want you as part of our forum, marches or parties. I say the more like you the merrier we'll ALL be!

Nancy

Well, thank you, Charlie and Nancy!

I guess that means you'll see me here more often!

Ani - what Charlie said! lol  Truly, I'm very passionate about making sure everyone has a place at the table, especially my GLBT table.  I don't want to be like those that want to exclude me because I'm a lesbian, ever.  It's always good to hear from allies, because for me it helps me to feel less iscolated.  So please, bring your favortie beverage & come & sit and chat a while.  We love a good talk!

I don't post here much, or on other forums, just tend to go to CMT.  Then I visit other forums and see the intersting comversations going on and think "I should visit more often", but I've always felt welcome here, and on all the forums actually.  Everyone (mostly) on PBS seems to be accepting.  I've even had to ask total newbie questions on some forums and always get positive feedback.   

Hello All, Yes Ani you should stay in touch. Knowing what your son may be facing will give you a better window. Many parents don't want to to know.Some of us were true to ourselves late in life. Mine, after being married for 22yrs and having 2 great kids.I looked at my self and knew I didn't want to live a lie any more. My parents were both in heaven and I found a great partner, who would of past me by. I had to do it, so with a prayer in my heart and a shaky  body I step out. It has been 7yrs and I am sooooooo happy.

Be TRUE to yourself always.

Erin - what an inspiring story.  Hooray for being true to ourselves!

Carole, that story is so awesome!!!

I'm here, not queer, and not going to the Whitehouse. ;) (Well, at least not any time soon...)  I have been a supporter for many years, long before I found out my brother is gay.  I discovered his webpage in 1998, and surprise, surprise, he discussed being gay.  So, I sent him an email telling him I had found it and that I was happy to know.  I was the first in my family that he came out to.  A few years later he came out to the rest of my family, and everybody was pretty cool about it, although my other brother is pretty much a closeted bigot of many colors....

Anyway, my hope is that shortly after the next election, we have equal rights for ALL people.  :)

It's good to see so many allies here and I'm so happy that there are some great kids being raised by the people here.  I've seen some pretty hurtful things on PBS that were making fun of part of the LGBT population (transsexuals) and I was pretty horrified that no ally said anything.  What bothers me more is that the person posts sometimes to *this* forum.

I remember when I was younger, I knew what I was.  I knew I was a man.  There were no allies around for that.  Admitting what you were got you beat up.  When I was younger, everyone believed I was a lesbian in denial (yes I got all the rumours and the insults) since I was so boyish and yet I dated many men.  For years, I just hung out with the LGBT group as an ally before I knew I could admit who I was honestly and without fear of ridicule.  I really was a gay man but was in the incorrect body.  I was (and still am) married and had a child before I started the very long road of transition.  I would have loved to have been born even just 10 years later when there were more allies and resources for transsexuals.

*Sigh*

Mel, I am really sorry to hear about that thread.  I don't remember it - but it disturbs me that I might have read it and missed it.

I sent you a PM giving you more details about it (but you should have noticed that by now.)  Some people are so cruel.