My heartfelt thanks to all LGBT folks and their allies and advocates

[IAMWHATIAM]

Posted: 2/21/13 at 1:05pm

Last night I was watching Top Chef with my husband and 16 year old son when a new Kindle commercial aired. I know there is a thread about the commercial itself, but what I wanted to say goes beyond the commercial, so thank you all for your indulgence. We rewound and watched the ad 3 times. We live in NYC and we've raised our kids (21 and 16) to approach the world as a place where some people are straight, some people are gay, some people are bisexual, some people are trans, some people are questioning ... (and we assume everyone is gay until we know otherwise (and then they may still be gay...but that's a different story)). A place where couples and families all look different. In addition to all of his other wonderful attributes, he happens to be gay (my 16 year old son, not my husband...as far as I know). My son has never felt or had the need to come out, as he's never been in. He just is who he is, and has been from the day he was born. As his mother, I know what a blessing that is. That commercial resonated with me in ways I can’t explain. It made my heart sing and my eyes well up with tears. It was just so simple and matter-of-fact and mainstream, and yet it spoke volumes. I got the same kind of feeling I get every time I see a gay couple walking down the street holding hands or otherwise demonstrating similar intimacy, or posting a wedding announcement in the Times, or sending out a birth announcement, or, as happened 4 times in the past 2 weeks, when a client has referred, in passing, to his husband or partner – while I wish it weren’t still noteworthy, it gives me so much hope, every single time, that in the future it won’t be noteworthy – it will just be. So, as the mother of a child whose life is so much better than it would have been without all of you on the forefront fighting the fight, living your lives and paving the way for the next generation, by your deeds, words and actions, I humbly say thank you. Whether you know it or not, or meant to or not, you’ve touched our lives. I know that even in this day and age, not every child grows up the way my kids have, be it due to geography, ignorance, bigotry, or other factors, and while I wish everyone could have the same experience and opportunity as mine, I’m just grateful, and will continue to do what I can do to fight the fight for all. Thanks again.

p.s. I just ordered a Kindle Paperwhite.



Kindle Commercial

Updated On: 2/21/13 at 01:05 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/21/13 at 1:21pm

Thank you, IAMWHATIAM. As we start making progress, the opposition only gets more extreme and vocal, which can really add to my own personal stress and anxiety at times. Statements like yours can have such a profound impact whether on your son or a total stranger. So, right back atcha!

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 2/21/13 at 1:23pm

A lovely post! Thank you.

[OrdinaryJukebox]

Posted: 2/21/13 at 1:35pm

Beautifully written, IAMWHATIAM. Thank YOU for being an open minded, well spoken/written, wonderful mom to your son!! :)

[tazber]

Posted: 2/21/13 at 1:36pm

I'm just echoing what everyone else has said so eloquently.

You are a wonderful mom.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 2/21/13 at 2:09pm

IAMWHATIAM........... Your post just brought tears to my eyes. You are indeed a great mother.xoxo

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 2/21/13 at 2:15pm

You should know, Stockard, because so are you...

...and I smiled at this commercial, and the youtube video of the guy talking back to the homophobic preacher. But, your post made me well up.

You're welcome, from all of us, and thank you!! You have some lucky kids!

[StockardFan]

Posted: 2/21/13 at 2:30pm

Awwwww, thanks Doodle! <3

[dtzumbrunnen]

Posted: 2/21/13 at 3:05pm

Parents like this will help change the world. Your son is a lucky man!

[IAMWHATIAM]

Posted: 2/21/13 at 3:20pm

Thanks you all for your kind words. I am the lucky one!

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 2/21/13 at 3:57pm

No. Thank you for doing for your son what every mother should do.

That is as important as the work we LGBTQ folks have been doing.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 2/21/13 at 4:06pm

I echo all of those here who thank you for your beautiful post.

It's so wonderful to approach life from a place of love.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 2/21/13 at 4:53pm

Add me to the list. I echo everyone's sentiments. You are an example of extraordinary parenting. Blessings to you and yours!

[IAMWHATIAM]

Posted: 2/21/13 at 9:26pm

Thanks again, you lovely people!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/21/13 at 9:34pm

Thank you for being who you are, IAmWhatIAm!

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 2/22/13 at 1:10pm

This is sweet.



Bump.