This is my first post in this forum.

I just want to say that I hope, with all my heart, that prop 8 is overturned tomorrow. My children feel the same. My students all do as well. I could not bring up prop 8 in the classroom. But the students could, and did, and I merely allowed the discussion to go on. No laws against that.

If these young people, our future adults, had had a vote, I am convinced we wouldn't be waiting tonight. For all of their problems, and their "gime more" reputations, they are a smart generation of kids. And I'm so very proud that my own children seem to just naturally know what is right. (Not that I expect any less from them.)

I live in OC, btw.

I mean that. And I'm glad your students have a safe place to discuss these issues.

Hope you will stick around, we have fun around here when we're not playing Extreme Dodgeball.

the teens that I teach, and how they've been influenced by their parents, as my children have been influenced by me. I've tiptoed somewhat around my political views at work, but over the years have found that not one person in my office that I've been open with has disagreed with me, and that my students seem to instinctively know where I stand.

School is a very hopeful place here in Orange County in ways I never expected it to be.

I live in Florida and hope our equally stupid law is also overturned eventually.

when California voted for this POS proposition. We've beat the stupid parental consent laws that have cropped up here over recent years and have remained sound on choice. I had hoped to see the same thing happen with prop 8.

I feel like we've let the entire country down, not just the state. If we can right this wrong, it will be a step towards beating bigotry nation wide.

Here in Florida, we sure need the help!

I wish I could have had such a kind, compassionate, and supportive teacher :hug:

But it really doesn't take a lot of effort to stand on the right (correct) side of issues. And it helps that kids just seem to get it better than their parents. (Or perhaps there are more closet liberals in the county than I am aware of?) :)

K and R

I've actually been here a while but tend to get into group/forum ruts, and because of that, too often, I've missed the opportunity to post about things that really matter to me.

Is that Geraldine Santoro?

Yes it is. It's Control-Z's mother and I recommend that you read her journal entries about her. I think it's a sad story.

I did not know. I will read the journal entries.

And may I add that I am looking forward to today's ruling, with trepidation? Anyone who wants to get married should have the right. It will be a sad day for everyone if bigotry wins.

It is a sad story, but there is so much that can be learned from it. I should be a stronger voice because of her. It is still difficult though, at times.

the other photo. That you recognized her from this one, when she was alive and happy, makes me smile.

Gerri is my mother. Everything I know and feel today is because of her. Even in death, especially in death, she has taught me the importance of fairness, empathy, compassion, and choice.

And she reminds me every single day.

and I'm often impressed. I think a lot of people give them short shrift, but they don't deserve it. Not most of the ones I know. My niece (who's about to graduate) wrote an essay in Middle School in support of Gay Marriage, and I'm not sure if she even knew anyone who was openly gay. Her grandmother was scandalized by the notion that she even thought about such things. But I was damn proud of her.

Your niece sounds wonderful. I hope her parents are as proud as you. Even though I've had my ups and downs with this generation of kids, the downs have been something to help them overcome and then look beyond. Their hearts are gold, imo. They will be most excellent adults. My older daughter is proving that to me.

In her life my wife and I have been just about the only adults she could always depend on. Her father dumped her on his mother and my father and never paid a dime of support, her mother's a meth addict. Her grandmother never accepted that she was growing up. She's living in Michigan now, babysitting her mother. It's funny, but her grandmother hated the fact that her mother listened to her and she was more often the parent in the relationship, but it always impressed me.

She wants/wanted to be a social worker to work with kids like herself, but in the meantime she plans on attending cosmetology school and take CNA courses to possibly pursue a career as an EMT. We bought her a round trip flight back for graduation.

The older I get, the more I become aware of just how important our parents are to us. Or, more accurately, the lifelong impact their absence/neglect/abuse has, especially if there is no one else willing to step up and offer support.

I love that you're there for her.

Obviously it can be openly discussed in Churches, and in Ads on TV, so why not in the classroom?

Given the county where I teach, and the subject, it would not be advised to initiate the discussion.

edit: typo

Not living there now, but it is still the center of my world in many ways. Today will decide if we ever come back home. "home" we call it, with a smirk. Prop 8 stung hard, and this story is good to hear.

embarrassing to admit living here. In fact, my father moved us here after my mother died, for the John Birch Society, Bleh! That has always been a source of shame for me. But I've been here most of my life and, like you, this is my home. And, it is beautiful here. I just love Balboa and Laguna Beach. I practically grew up on the peninsula.

I hope you do come back some day. We need every wonderful liberal we can get. I hope to see this county turn blue one day.

I have hopes for our future and for our young people - I agree, if they had been the "adult voting block" this would not ever be an issue today.

and exciting to me, is that these kids will all be voting within a few years and they have the potential to make great change.

for tomorrow.

BTW-- I stand corrected, "Welcome to GLBT" and not DU as you are an "old timer", LOL, I read in haste *blush.*


Thanks again, for your sincere support!

:hi:

And a funny thing is, I still feel like a newbie at DU, with the many intelligent, and (better) informed members here. There is always something new to learn.

There is a rally (either a celebration or a protest) that will be held tonight at the Santa Ana Courthouse tonight, if you can go.

My family and I will be there.

On edit - Duh, I know you!

Sorry I didn't say hi yesterday. I got so bummed over the decision I just couldn't. I started this thread with so much hope...

How was the protest at the Courthouse? I probably should have gone, but yesterday was my older daughter's Birthday.

About 500 of our side attended, with about 4 of the Talibangelicals counter protesting. We marched from the old courthouse to the flag plaza and back. It was energizing.

Hope your daughter had a happy birthday.

Sorry had forgotten your name change (I am a spazz).