Comments on: Courageous Conversations at the Prop 8 Trial http://www.prop8trialtracker.com/2010/02/08/courageous-conversations-at-the-prop8-trial/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=courageous-conversations-at-the-prop8-trial Perry v. Schwarzenegger: Tracking the right-wing Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:45:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: geekgirl http://www.prop8trialtracker.com/2010/02/08/courageous-conversations-at-the-prop8-trial/#comment-213213 geekgirl Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:32:35 +0000 http://prop8trialtracker.com/?p=1732#comment-213213 Cassie, When I was 17, I was a high school student in a small mid-western blue collar town. I was so afraid of the feelings I was having. I had crushes on girls and I had some idea that it meant I was a lesbian, but I heard the things other kids said about lezzies and faggots, so I kept it all inside. I was so afraid of being different. I went through a period in college where I got involved in a religious group...I guess I just wanted to belong somewhere, anywhere. They were really nice people, and they were my friends, but some of their teachings said it was wrong to be gay and that I could be "healed". I believed it, and I tried...I tried to change. I wanted to change because I didn't want to be different. I prayed and prayed, but I was still me, still gay. All it led to was an emotional breakdown after college. I could no longer try to be someone I wasn't, and I began the long journey of coming out, healing and becoming comfortable with myself. When I was 17, I thought I would never be happy. I thought I was the only person like me and I'd never find anyone to love me. Now that I'm older, I have found lots of like-minded people and I have learned to let go of the shame and self-hatred that our society can make us feel. I can't make it better for you, but I can tell you this. Don't worry so much about what people think of you now. You don't know it now, but someday you'll meet the love of your life and it will all make sense, and all the suffering will have made you a better person, more capable of compassion and understanding. A better human being. I wish you the best. Cassie,

When I was 17, I was a high school student in a small mid-western blue collar town. I was so afraid of the feelings I was having. I had crushes on girls and I had some idea that it meant I was a lesbian, but I heard the things other kids said about lezzies and faggots, so I kept it all inside. I was so afraid of being different.

I went through a period in college where I got involved in a religious group…I guess I just wanted to belong somewhere, anywhere. They were really nice people, and they were my friends, but some of their teachings said it was wrong to be gay and that I could be "healed". I believed it, and I tried…I tried to change. I wanted to change because I didn't want to be different. I prayed and prayed, but I was still me, still gay. All it led to was an emotional breakdown after college. I could no longer try to be someone I wasn't, and I began the long journey of coming out, healing and becoming comfortable with myself.

When I was 17, I thought I would never be happy. I thought I was the only person like me and I'd never find anyone to love me. Now that I'm older, I have found lots of like-minded people and I have learned to let go of the shame and self-hatred that our society can make us feel.

I can't make it better for you, but I can tell you this. Don't worry so much about what people think of you now. You don't know it now, but someday you'll meet the love of your life and it will all make sense, and all the suffering will have made you a better person, more capable of compassion and understanding. A better human being.

I wish you the best.

]]> By: Alan E. http://www.prop8trialtracker.com/2010/02/08/courageous-conversations-at-the-prop8-trial/#comment-213212 Alan E. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:11:21 +0000 http://prop8trialtracker.com/?p=1732#comment-213212 It was an important part of my reflection process, and has helped shape me as I am today. It really took giving myself a swift kick in the ass to get over it, and I have found many venues to keep myself interested and happy in life. I think being honest with myself and others, not just being gay but with my other interests too, is critical. It was an important part of my reflection process, and has helped shape me as I am today. It really took giving myself a swift kick in the ass to get over it, and I have found many venues to keep myself interested and happy in life. I think being honest with myself and others, not just being gay but with my other interests too, is critical.

]]> By: fiona64 http://www.prop8trialtracker.com/2010/02/08/courageous-conversations-at-the-prop8-trial/#comment-213211 fiona64 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 07:29:43 +0000 http://prop8trialtracker.com/?p=1732#comment-213211 Dear Alan: Thank you for sharing your story. Depression is an awful burden to bear (BTDT, no medication helps mine). I applaud your courage in not only sharing your coming-out story but also in sharing about your depression. Mental illness has stigma of its own; we are taught to be ashamed of it. It is no shame. Love, Fiona Dear Alan:

Thank you for sharing your story. Depression is an awful burden to bear (BTDT, no medication helps mine). I applaud your courage in not only sharing your coming-out story but also in sharing about your depression. Mental illness has stigma of its own; we are taught to be ashamed of it. It is no shame.

Love,
Fiona

]]> By: fiona64 http://www.prop8trialtracker.com/2010/02/08/courageous-conversations-at-the-prop8-trial/#comment-213210 fiona64 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 07:19:15 +0000 http://prop8trialtracker.com/?p=1732#comment-213210 Hi, Richard. You can upload the PDF; that's what I did with "Born of War" because all I had was a hard copy (it was written in 1995). My other books are on Smashwords, which allows for more download formats. I can PM you a link on FB. I feel very fortunate to have collaborated with a now-famous historian before he made a name for himself. :-) Love, Fiona Hi, Richard. You can upload the PDF; that's what I did with "Born of War" because all I had was a hard copy (it was written in 1995). My other books are on Smashwords, which allows for more download formats. I can PM you a link on FB.

I feel very fortunate to have collaborated with a now-famous historian before he made a name for himself. :-)

Love,
Fiona

]]> By: BobbiCW http://www.prop8trialtracker.com/2010/02/08/courageous-conversations-at-the-prop8-trial/#comment-213209 BobbiCW Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:22:46 +0000 http://prop8trialtracker.com/?p=1732#comment-213209 We often forget (given the fact that most wingers are Republicans) that not every Republican is a winger. We need to remember not to stereotype them simply based on the party they belong to. The McCain women are a perfect example. The bottom line is this: Don't hesitate to contact your legislators of either party. You never know when you'll find a friend in unusual places. We often forget (given the fact that most wingers are Republicans) that not every Republican is a winger. We need to remember not to stereotype them simply based on the party they belong to. The McCain women are a perfect example.

The bottom line is this: Don't hesitate to contact your legislators of either party. You never know when you'll find a friend in unusual places.

]]> By: Richard Walter (soon http://www.prop8trialtracker.com/2010/02/08/courageous-conversations-at-the-prop8-trial/#comment-213208 Richard Walter (soon Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:33:48 +0000 http://prop8trialtracker.com/?p=1732#comment-213208 Then I guess it's a good thing I have a Sam's Club membership, isn't it? There I can get a case of tissues for the price of a six-pack. Then I guess it's a good thing I have a Sam's Club membership, isn't it? There I can get a case of tissues for the price of a six-pack.

]]> By: Richard Walter (soon http://www.prop8trialtracker.com/2010/02/08/courageous-conversations-at-the-prop8-trial/#comment-213207 Richard Walter (soon Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:32:37 +0000 http://prop8trialtracker.com/?p=1732#comment-213207 Alan, from one 'Red Dragon' to another, you did very well. And no, you did not have to go to or graduate from SAHS to be a Red Dragon. All that is required is that you have lived in St. Albans. And yes, I know where St. Francis of Assisi Parish/School is. I went to two weddings there, and used to go to bingo every week with Mom. And the pastor and his assistant when I was living in St. Albans were lovers. EVeryone knew it, but noboby cared, because they were just another middle-aged married couple. Alan, from one 'Red Dragon' to another, you did very well. And no, you did not have to go to or graduate from SAHS to be a Red Dragon. All that is required is that you have lived in St. Albans. And yes, I know where St. Francis of Assisi Parish/School is. I went to two weddings there, and used to go to bingo every week with Mom. And the pastor and his assistant when I was living in St. Albans were lovers. EVeryone knew it, but noboby cared, because they were just another middle-aged married couple.

]]> By: Richard Walter (soon http://www.prop8trialtracker.com/2010/02/08/courageous-conversations-at-the-prop8-trial/#comment-213206 Richard Walter (soon Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:27:56 +0000 http://prop8trialtracker.com/?p=1732#comment-213206 Thank YOU, fiona, for sharing your story. This has only reaffirmed my vote for you to be the face of the marriage equality movement. Whatyou wrote was very coherent to me, and very beautiful. Again, thank you, sis. Thank YOU, fiona, for sharing your story. This has only reaffirmed my vote for you to be the face of the marriage equality movement. Whatyou wrote was very coherent to me, and very beautiful. Again, thank you, sis.

]]> By: Richard Walter (soon http://www.prop8trialtracker.com/2010/02/08/courageous-conversations-at-the-prop8-trial/#comment-213205 Richard Walter (soon Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:15:18 +0000 http://prop8trialtracker.com/?p=1732#comment-213205 All I can say after reading this, Ronnie, is YOU GO, BOY! All I can say after reading this, Ronnie, is YOU GO, BOY!

]]> By: Richard Walter (soon http://www.prop8trialtracker.com/2010/02/08/courageous-conversations-at-the-prop8-trial/#comment-213204 Richard Walter (soon Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:03:35 +0000 http://prop8trialtracker.com/?p=1732#comment-213204 And I am looking forward t wenI have the tim this week to it don and read your ebook that I downladed to BZ's computer from Scribd. I am going to upload some of my mystery shorts to Scribd. One question. do you have to type them in, or can you upload them from a file? I have been scanning them in on BZ's computer and transferring them to mine via CD, but wasn't sure how to upload them to Scribd. And of course, I will let you know when I get them there. Would love to see if you have any suggestions on them when you get a chance to read them. And I am looking forward t wenI have the tim this week to it don and read your ebook that I downladed to BZ's computer from Scribd. I am going to upload some of my mystery shorts to Scribd. One question. do you have to type them in, or can you upload them from a file? I have been scanning them in on BZ's computer and transferring them to mine via CD, but wasn't sure how to upload them to Scribd. And of course, I will let you know when I get them there. Would love to see if you have any suggestions on them when you get a chance to read them.

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