Gay-Straight Alliance--remarkable: I am the first parent EVER

[coffeenap]

to contact the adviser of my daughter's GSA to volunteer and offer support! This is at a public high school in upscale suburban Chicago with a student body of 4500. The adviser was so surprised I emailed him that he didn't know what to do! This GSA has been around for about 8 years. He spoke with my daughter to thank her and me (and to be sure it was authentic, I imagine) and was so grateful and surprised! Other kids heard and cheered. My daughter is a freshman. Unbelievable to me that no adult has EVER stepped up--in this day and age!! It is also so sad that most of the kids who join the club are gay/lesbian/bi/questioning and are not out at home at all--they even ask other kids to watch out for their parents' cars when being picked up. What year is this??????

[otherlander]

1. Good on ya, coffeenap.

:hi:

Reading your post reminded me how lucky I am to have parents who don't obsess over my sexuality... I can't imagine what it would be like to have to pretend I was hetero to my own family. Unfortunately, my boyfriend's parents- well, his mom and stepdad, anyway (his real dad is a lot cooler)- are really closed-minded about that stuff. They got angry at him for being bi, and I imagine they would be even more pissed if they knew that I was. I'm not actively trying to hide it from them, though- it's just never come up in conversation. If it did, I would tell them. He's going to be 18 soon anyway, so they can't really make us break up.

And it's not just the homophobia that bothers me- it's the whole obsession with teenage sexuality. Parents who try to stop their offspring from having sex NEVER succeed. Ever. The healthiest thing to do is to just acknowledge that people become sexual beings when they hit puberty, and make sure that they know to use condoms. Instead, people operate on the theory that prohibition will actually work, when in reality all it does is give young people the idea that something natural and healthy is "dirty".

Rant over. Peace.

[LynzM]

2. Awesome rant, Otherlander.

The whole general American mindset about sex, sexuality and sensuality is Fucked. Up. I know what it's done to me, and to so many people I know (mostly women, although men lose out in the long run too...). Oy. Let's just say, I agree with you.

[otherlander]

3. Thanks, LynzM.

:hi:

[coffeenap]

5. YES to everything you said! My daughter is in a serious

hetero relationship (even though she is very young, it is very real, gawdamit!) and about two people in my little universe even understand that! Well, here's to sanity and acknowledging the reality of humans! Thanks for your kind words and sharing your story.:hug:

[lightningandsnow]

4. You are awesome.

I'm the president of the GSA at my school, at let me say, we love people like you!

:hug:

[coffeenap]

6. Yay AspieGrrl! While I was away from my computer, just

now, I heard from another parent who feels the same way I do! Wow, maybe we can really do something for the kids! I am so excited! Thanks for your support. :hug:

[tigersumtin]

7. To go where no man or woman has gone before

Not only are u a trend setter, but now a leader and a Hero.... Kudos.... Keep up the exploration and innovative ways to bring this subject to the forefront... Thanks tt

[tigersumtin]

8. THANKS.....

It is very nice to see Andy"s face popping up all over this site... I miss him and will always remember.....

[av8rdave]

9. Wow....good on you!

[old mark]

10. Coffeenap- My nephew and his male partner got married last spring.

His parents flew up (to NYC) from Texas to celebrate. His partner's family has not spoken to him in many years. Both these men are in their 30's,successfully employed, have a large condo,etc, and have been together for over 12 years. They are happy, smart, creative people in a solid relationship. I am happy you ar supportive, and it would be your great loss if your not. I can not imagine someone throwing away a family member for any reason, certainly not for something as stupid as this.

Maybe those who are abandoned by their families are better off.

mark