LGBT
Related: About this forumI hope that I'm posting this story of my wondeful son in the right forum.
Last edited Sat Jun 2, 2012, 07:17 AM - Edit history (1)
I gave thought to putting this in Politics 2012 or GD, but I feel most comfortable placing it here. I hope that you'll see why and agree.
Tonight was the first night of the Maine State Democratic convention. I am a delegate and my son, 12 years old, handsome as hell (like a young Denzel Washington) and very bright and articulate with a big generous and open heart is a page for the first time.
I couldn't get to the convention until pretty late tonight and we saw NONE of the proceedings due to having to register and not even arriving until almost 7PM. We saw and met some of our State Reps and Senators, candidates and dignitaries and had the opportunity to meet many fellow Democrats. One thing that was clear is that this year's Maine Democratic Convention will be a unified and harmonious affair, as opposed to the paulista vs romney bloodbath that was the republican exhibition of dirty tricks and bitterness that took place here recently. We are eagerly looking forward to the events of tomorrow and Sunday.
The reason that I post here in the LGBT forum is this. We stopped at the Knox county table to pick up some bumper stickers and buttons. My button shows a photo of the President with the caption "GM is alive. osama bin laden is dead". I just LOVE pissing off teabaggers. My wife's button is the Obama symbol as the top of the female symbol because yes, the republicans ARE waging a war on women. My son, whom I've reported earlier here was ROYALLY PISSED OFF when I told him that same sex couples do not (yet) have the right to mary in the state of Maine, selected a button with the slogan "Some People Are Gay. GET OVER IT!"
I am SOOO proud of this wonderful young man that my wife and I are so delighted to call our son.
As I've mentioned before, this is the boy who will suggest that we buy something to eat for any homeless person we may see outside of a restaurant. This is the young man who wants to volunteer at the local churchs' free dinners for the poor & homeless. This is the young man who told his gay friend that he would stick by him when he decided to come out late in their 5th grade year.
I told him that I didn't want him to wear the button unless my wife or I are with him. I say this because, at 12, he doesn't know how to give a bigot or homophobe a verbal smack-down. Yet! He learns fast but we want to make sure he knows what to do before he's on his own.
However...
This is the young man who realizes that the romney/teabagger vision of an Amercia for the white, rich and male ONLY is a nightmare. He believes, as my wife and I do, that for the dream of AMERICA to be true, there has to be freedom, equality and justice for EVERYBODY!
My wife and I will be proud and happy to stand with our LGBT friends, neighbors and allies, as well as our President and Vice-President, 5 months from tomorrow and vote to bring marriage equality to all of Maine. We are doubly proud and happy that our son will be standing there with us. He can't vote yet, but he knows what "family values" truly are!
More after the convention is over.
PEACE!
Vanje
(9,766 posts)You're teaching him that Democracy is not a spectator sport........and sometimes, it can be a lot of fun.
Hope to hear more.
MarianJack
(10,237 posts)We worked in Libby Mitchell's campaign for Governor. Unfortunately, she lost to our dipshit teabagger governor paul lepage.
He was depressed but I told him that it could be worse. The first candidate I ever worked for, Bobby Kennedy, was murdered.
He knows that OUR family participates and, yes, we do have fun at it, too!
Thanks for responding!
PEACE!
Zorra
(27,670 posts)that right now.
Thanks.
MarianJack
(10,237 posts)... !!!!!
PEACE!
LonePirate
(13,426 posts)Very well done raising such a fine son!
MarianJack
(10,237 posts)We do our best.
PEACE!
xfundy
(5,105 posts)Best of everything to all of you.
The fundies and pugs are trying to claim all sorts of obvious lies, on any subject. I would suggest you encourage your son to read the newspaper (I know) and watch Fox Noise, so he can see the lies and possibly understand why those who confine themselves to that "news" are so inhuman in their actions.
And, though it's a little early, Happy Fathers' Day! You raised your kid right--though, as he starts his teen years, he will probably be a handful and may reject the values he was taught, because that's what teens are supposed to do, if for no other reason than to piss you off. Keep in mind that he's only trying to find his place in the world, his personality, his worldview.
I suspect that you've exposed him to enough real-life truth to get him through, and you both will weather the storm, but it takes a little time, as he's trying to exercise his independence.
Of course, you know all this, as you went through it yourself. But hopefully you can keep a cool head and remember your own mental processes and rage toward the obvious when you were the same age.
Bestest to all!
MarianJack
(10,237 posts)We're already experiencing some of what you say. As former middle school teachers, we know that more is coming.
We don't have cable or sattelite, so we don't get fixed news. He does however, see and hear the ravings of the other side.
I say that he's a wonderful boy...ooops...young man even knowing that my wife and I want to kick him in the rump VERY often.
Thanks for your feedback.
PEACE!
Rowdyboy
(22,057 posts)for raising a young man who willbe fighting for my rights and those of people like me long after I am dead and buried. My god-daughter, who is 28, is raising her children with the same values. Long may they all rock!
MarianJack
(10,237 posts)..is that you'll be around for A LONG TIME to see the fruition of equality for all Americans.
PEACE!
longship
(40,416 posts)Instead, trust your informed, best judgement. I almost did not click through to this thread because of your title, which seemed more like an apology than a question. No biggie from my perspective.
This is one of those anecdotal experiences which makes DU the great and wonderful place it is. Never apologize for something you feel fervently. Your son's story is precisely that which we all wish would be broadcast far and wide.
Sadly, that won't happen. But when you present it here on DU, you don't have to apologize. In spite of all the chair throwing here, personal stories are always taken to heart. I would have proudly posted this in the LBGT forum with a title something like "My Wonderful Son". As he undoubtedly is.
Just saying.
MarianJack
(10,237 posts)I adjusted my title to reflect my wonderful son.
PEACE!
HillWilliam
(3,310 posts)You and your wife should be proud of the thoughtful, strong, and intelligent young man you're raising.
Never apologize for anything you've posted in this group. I have posted over and over that it will take all of us -- together -- to move forward.
MarianJack
(10,237 posts)He is a great kid, even though my wife and I want to kick him in the rump frequently.
Moving forward together...What a great concept!
PEACE!
HillWilliam
(3,310 posts)"being a boy". You only get to keep them for a little while before they're "grown and flown". Hug each other hard for us.
MarianJack
(10,237 posts)We hug him at every opportunity, although, at 12, he claims to hate it.
Later on, after I wind down a bit, I'm going to post in the Politics 2012 forum about the fantastic second day of the convention.
PEACE!
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)MarianJack
(10,237 posts)He is a great kid, even when he needs a kick in the rump!
PEACE!