So, a serious topic.

My (adoptive) parents are conservative Republicans, who voted for Richard Nixon twice, so I know I do not get my moderate to liberal social leanings from them! Before I found my birth family, I used to joke to friends that I knew my bio mom was a “hippie” as my views on the world had to come from someplace.

Turns out I was right. My bio mom is an ex-hippie, Grateful Dead-loving, make love not war kind of chick, who just happens to have a law degree. When I found my birth family, I also inherited a half sister and half brother. When you add that to my other siblings, we are now the flipping Brady Bunch. Holidays are real fun. *g*

About ten years ago, my half brother (who will now be referred to as Boo) called me and told me he was gay. I was the first person he ever told in our family. He wanted to gage my reaction and ask me how I thought other family members would take the news. I told him I loved him, the family would be fine and it didn’t matter who he dated, boy or girl, if they hurt him, I’d kick their asses. (Which is my right as a big sister.) After we hung up, even though I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone, I called my birth mom. Now, I didn’t think she’d be upset, but I if she was, I wanted to warn her not to take it out on Boo. (Apparently my big sister instincts cover even family members).

My mom’s reaction? “Yeah, so?” My sister: “Is he sure?” When I replied, “Yeah, Sissy, I think he likes the cock just like we do.” She was then like, “Okay.” (Bluntness is a given in my birth family.) I went to a few PFLAG meetings after this event, but stopped going because no one in my birth family ever had a problem with it, even some of my redneck cousins didn’t care that Boo was gay.

There was no fuss, no muss, no screaming matches, no one got thrown out of the house and Christmas is still crazy but not because Boo is gay.

There was absolutely no drama for my brother’s coming out.

I wish it could be that way for everyone.

I wish that children were not taught hate. As a teacher, I wish other adults would stop allowing discrimination to be taught in our school systems. (I do not allow the word “fag” to be said in my classroom. Students have been thrown out of my class for that word and two others which I consider much worse than some curse words).

I wish people would stop discriminating for any reason. I believe that life is to short to live with hatred and pass along sexism, racism and homophobia to the next generation.

One day, I hope that gay marriage will be legal in all states, not just the one I live in. And like segregation, homophobia will be a thing of the past. I know it can happen.

I believe that one day no one will blink an eye when a child “comes out,” and love and acceptance will prevail.

I believe.

And until then I will continue to fight against hate in any form.

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