Nearly Killed With a Pipe Wrench

Apr 02nd, 2010 09:11 AM By Dean

So I’m walking down the street in Phoenix about 15 years ago when I lived there, just walking down the street. Suddenly a big blue truck (the kind with big tires and a lift kit) squeals over and a guy jumps out of the truck holding a two-foot pipe wrench. He starts screaming at me, he’s drunk so the only word I can understand is “faggot” and he takes a swing at my head with this pipe wrench, fortunately I was able to get out of the way or I’d be dead instead of writing this.

I ran like hell, lucky for me, he ran after me (he was short and fat, I was tall and thin) and didn’t get back into the truck right away so I was able to get away from him. Had he gotten back in the truck and drove after me or connected with the wrench, I wouldn’t be here today.

My Daughters

Mar 28th, 2010 10:11 AM By Nancy

I give a DAMN about equality… ONE of my daughters is gay…

I have raised three daughters. I’ve taught them the fundamentals of life and living in this world, then went beyond this to teach tolerance, equality, independence, faith, compassion and love.

What a joy to watch three beautiful young children grow into the adults they now are! What a joy to nurture each as individuals while treating them equally. What a joy to teach them to be anything they wanted to be. What a joy to watch them learn to love and develop healthy relationships. What a joy to witness them embracing each day.

Each day brings new discoveries for all three. Along the way, my youngest daughter discovered her sexuality as a lesbian. Within our family, this discovery was recognized and acknowledged. We did not judge, and our family still lives with the values of respect and equality that we’ve always lived by.

But for me, the need for social equality outside of our family became more important than ever! I was to send my youngest daughter into the world–and she would learn that the teachings and equality in our home would not necessarily follow her.

I have raised three daughters… and as individual as they are, now they are not treated equally.

TWO of my daughters can…

• Walk safely down any street holding hands with their significant others
• Practice careers without fear of discrimination
• Marry legally (if they choose) in a courtroom – OR – in a religious environment of their choosing
• Have an open relationship with a member of our armed forces
• Practice their religious upbringing openly–not questioning their faith because of a lack of tolerance
• Reap the benefits of “joint” tax returns, health insurance, marriage law…

The list goes on and on.

I hope that someday, this will change to: “All THREE of my daughters can…”