I went to NC pride on Saturday

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It was a really great day. I went on behalf of GLAD which is gay, lesbian, and affirming disciples (of Christ). We had well over 70 tables set up ranging from high school groups, to college groups, to book sellers, corporate booths. The parade was honestly sweet. Floats with drag queens were mixed with religious marchers, students, professionals, and politicians. It was hard not to weep seeing high school students marching open and proud.

Seeing those kids make me know we are winning the war slowly but surely even as we may lose a battle or two. PFLAG also rocks.

[neuvocat]

1. You are quite brave.

NC is a very conservative state so its takes a lot of guts to go out there.

[dsc]

2. The area they have the parade in

is actually quite liberal. Pride is in Durham on Duke's campus. We honestly had no protestors whatsoever.

[mitchtv]

3. My congratulations

Out in NC. Good for you

[dsc]

4. everywhere but work

and that I will do in a couple of years. I signed a morals clause to get my job so I have to have a new job in place before I decided to break that clause. In a couple of years I intend to present my district with the choice of a teacher who at least is open with fellow staff members or having to replace me.

[grrl62]

5. pride 05

:hi: pride was great again this year. i too get teary-eyed. it is always a moving experience!

[bluedawg12]

6. Bravo!! Brave, smart and honest.! n/t

[dsc]

7. more like tired

as in tired of lying by implication. I am out everywhere but work and I am planning on being out at work in a couple of years. NC is fortunately a pretty good market for math teachers looking for work, so I know that if I have to I can leave for more liberal pastures such as Charlotte, Greensboro, Winston Salem, and Chappel Hill - Carrboro if need be. I honestly hope I can stay where I am and be out, but I won't die if I can't.

[bluedawg12]

9. In today's world I still go slowly with work and my

private life.

I know, I know, but living well is the best revenge.

I would rather work behind the scenes and have a home, life, friends, and then when I am not dependent on them and have things secure financially and professionally move froward with caution.

I came up in very ugly times....as many here have, and so I take a cautious view.

[dsc]

11. I understand

Honestly a couple of years seems slow to me but I am waiting for tenure, which provides at least a measure of protection, and takes time to obtain. If I leave now, I would start at square one, which I really don't wish to do.

It has taken me a while to get in the position I am in with regards to the market. I intend to take full advantage.

[bluedawg12]

12. Smart move. I figure people have a good idea

about who I am, but on a professional level my qualfications are what count- and I want them to be first in people minds, then, my life is an example of what can be seen as a stable 18 year long relationship, nothing can be said against that. As time goes by people I trust are brought in closer.

We are off to North Carolina tomorrow and going to a union of two women, my in-laws, hah. So this is a pretty cool family.

But, somewhat worried about NC-never been there, not sure what folks will be like.

You give me some hope. LOL.

[dsc]

13. It isn't all Jesse Helms country

To give you one amazing example I went to the NCAE convention last year, teacher's union, and I introduced a resolution to have the NCAE tell it's lobbying arm to lobby for a law banning anti gay discrimination against state employees ( teachers are arguably state employees here) and they passed it without dissent. I was floored. Sadly the law went nowhere but still it was nice.

[bluedawg12]

14. That's pretty cool. At least your peers were supportive. n/t

[swimmernsecretsea]

8. How nice to hear!

Hope you had great fun.

[dsc]

10. It was terrific

I was very tired at the end of the day but it was great fun. We need days like that to recharge.

[swimmernsecretsea]

15. It was a good tired, I bet.

One where you had so much fun and felt comfortable the whole day with people you enjoyed being with. Thanks for posting.

[dsc]

17. Yeah it was a good tired

too bad on Monday it was back in the real world. At least I have an end date at the end of the tunnel with this and that is good. It is such a difference to be totally open and out vs being a bit in the closet.

[MuseRider]

16. Good for you

and I am so happy that you enjoyed yourself. Yes, there are strides forward. Small, slow strides.

After we lost the marriage ammendment here in Kansas I was consoling a good friend of mine who was then a senior in high school. She was beside herself, we had both been working non stop for several months on elections here. A friend of ours who is a state senator told her that when she and I were in high school this would never have even been spoken of out loud. It did put it all in perspective. Still, it is difficult to appreciate that when things are the way they are. I would agree with you that strides forward are being made although slowly.

Be proud and most of all be happy.