Reunions
Day 6: 8pm
University of Pittsburgh
Tonight we are meeting with the Rainbow Alliance at the University. The meeting just started and who knows where we will go. All our stops kind of start the same, but it works best when there is a two-way conversation. The give-and-take provides riches we need to offset the milkless single-service boxes of Cheerios woofed as we gallop to the bus.
Actually, there isn’t any galloping. Nobody’s trotting either. I’ve tripped twice, though.
Today, we were in Columbus and Akron and the one issue that just keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger is that equal marriage rights is really about equal family rights. In Indianapolis, our friends were not one bit shy about telling us exactly what was on their minds. Respect for their families.
Ohio and Pennsylvania were much more personal. Our mothers and fathers, uncles and aunts, relations far and wide, are showing up to take a stand for their loved ones. These are real family reunions. Some of our riders are seeing family for the first time in years. For some, this means the beginning of the mending. Reconciliation.
If you even show up to greet the bus you are going to be outted as an ally. Your neighbors will see you on the 6 o’clock news. It’s one thing to love your son and his partner. This is a big next step. A pretty big hoop for the heartland. Jump!
Our two grinning PFLAG parents proudly lead by example. They love their daughter, us, even me. Family. Our two ministers from Unitarian Universalist Churches are working overtime too, busy keeping a lid on us, mostly. They bear witness to the importance of creating family of choice. Family. Everyday now, it is all about family. Maybe it has been ever so. My eyes are open a little wider (only figuratively, however) on this quest. I thought it was about the couples when I got on board in Oakland. Wrong. So wrong. Much, much more than that.
This very welcome surge of very personal affection reminds me of Quilt days. That was family too. Our families are going to tip the scale on this issue, just as they did when their sons were cast aside as disposable. You watch. PFLAG and the religious community are going to lead the way. And win. It’s only a matter of time. There will be marriage equality in this country. There is no stopping an army of fierce PFLAG moms and dads.
Meanwhile, here in the present tense, our younger riders and students are finding their voices. It is an evening for the verbally dominant amongst us to provide a safe space for fresh voices. Still, tonight it is about struggling to come out… so you can start a family.
Family values are alive and well here in the gay heartland.
Here are a couple of other hot tips. We have met Transgendered people in every city we have visited. Family. I really wish we had some trans folks on board. It sort of feels like we left someone off the bus who should have been on the bus. Marriage is a tremendously complicated and important issue for the Trans community. We need to wake up and pay attention.
Tomorrow we push on to DC. Should be a process-a-thon from Hades. Big Bus Fun!
University of Pittsburgh
Tonight we are meeting with the Rainbow Alliance at the University. The meeting just started and who knows where we will go. All our stops kind of start the same, but it works best when there is a two-way conversation. The give-and-take provides riches we need to offset the milkless single-service boxes of Cheerios woofed as we gallop to the bus.
Actually, there isn’t any galloping. Nobody’s trotting either. I’ve tripped twice, though.
Today, we were in Columbus and Akron and the one issue that just keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger is that equal marriage rights is really about equal family rights. In Indianapolis, our friends were not one bit shy about telling us exactly what was on their minds. Respect for their families.
Ohio and Pennsylvania were much more personal. Our mothers and fathers, uncles and aunts, relations far and wide, are showing up to take a stand for their loved ones. These are real family reunions. Some of our riders are seeing family for the first time in years. For some, this means the beginning of the mending. Reconciliation.
If you even show up to greet the bus you are going to be outted as an ally. Your neighbors will see you on the 6 o’clock news. It’s one thing to love your son and his partner. This is a big next step. A pretty big hoop for the heartland. Jump!
Our two grinning PFLAG parents proudly lead by example. They love their daughter, us, even me. Family. Our two ministers from Unitarian Universalist Churches are working overtime too, busy keeping a lid on us, mostly. They bear witness to the importance of creating family of choice. Family. Everyday now, it is all about family. Maybe it has been ever so. My eyes are open a little wider (only figuratively, however) on this quest. I thought it was about the couples when I got on board in Oakland. Wrong. So wrong. Much, much more than that.
This very welcome surge of very personal affection reminds me of Quilt days. That was family too. Our families are going to tip the scale on this issue, just as they did when their sons were cast aside as disposable. You watch. PFLAG and the religious community are going to lead the way. And win. It’s only a matter of time. There will be marriage equality in this country. There is no stopping an army of fierce PFLAG moms and dads.
Meanwhile, here in the present tense, our younger riders and students are finding their voices. It is an evening for the verbally dominant amongst us to provide a safe space for fresh voices. Still, tonight it is about struggling to come out… so you can start a family.
Family values are alive and well here in the gay heartland.
Here are a couple of other hot tips. We have met Transgendered people in every city we have visited. Family. I really wish we had some trans folks on board. It sort of feels like we left someone off the bus who should have been on the bus. Marriage is a tremendously complicated and important issue for the Trans community. We need to wake up and pay attention.
Tomorrow we push on to DC. Should be a process-a-thon from Hades. Big Bus Fun!
posted by Leslie Ewing at 7:19 PM
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