Comment on a recent thread about Gay rights

[Cheswick2.0]

Please ignore my avatar, I do not mean to make what I say a plea for any candidate. I don't want to stir up a lot of debate again that hurts people. The pain in that locked thread was palpable. I just want to tell you a story.
About 10 years ago I was divorced. It was ugly and it continued to be ugly for many years. My sons were 12 and 9 at the time. There were many times their father was not there for them. That is a horrible thing for a young teenage boy to deal with. They need theor father so much at that time. A father teaches them how to be a man and softens the natural rebelion boys must go through to seperate their self image from their mother's.
Well my sons had "uncles", some of the best directors, singers, actors, musicians, stage production people ever to work in the busines. They took my kids under their wings and taught them stage crew, took them back to school shopping, invited us to Thanksgiving so we would have family to be with. They nurtured and mentored me.
I remember another household, my friends from church, a gay man, his divorced female friend and her daughter who they raised together and eventually his new partner who moved in. The loved me (and another friend) enough to come all the way to Pennsylvania from florida to see me in a show. They also loved my children. I will never forget the years we had wonderful christmas parties and the years before my divorce that they were our closest friends.

Some of those people have died of AIDS, others have drifted from my life because of the changes I have made in where how I live and how I make a living. However I will always miss that time in my life and those dear friends who were family to me.

I just want to tell you that I always vote with the GLBT community in mind. Your civil rights matter as much to me as gender and minority rights. That is a promise.

[joeybee12]

1. Very touching story--thanks!

[ldf]

2. thanks, cheswick

due to the numbers we can't do it alone, so we must depend on those who are straight, but close to us, and in many instances "on the kindness of strangers".

i have always noted your support, and am very appreciative of it.

hopefully together, things can change.

your sons are very lucky.

:loveya:

[Bertha Venation]

3. you're blessed

and so are we. Thanks, Ches.

[Bronco69]

4. Thank you!

That means a lot too us! :-)

[La_Serpiente]

5. thank you for all of your words

and thank you for being the tolerant and understanding person you are. :-)

[terrya]

6. This is such a affirming, positive story, Cheswick.

I am very comforted that in the GLBT community's struggle for civil rights, we have good, caring friends like you.

Thank you.

Terry

[Cheswick2.0]

7. you are all welcome (if only I had proof read both my typing and spelling)

But I was off to church and late as usual. Thank you for your kind comments. Two steps forward, one step back!


:grouphug: