It never ceases to amaze me how much things have changed in a relatively short time

[dsc]

On Friday, which was our Day of Silence, I had to counsul a kid when he got very upset with this teacher. Given where we were, I took him into a guidance office where we had a little chat. I gave him the best pep talk I could and got him calmed down. On my way out of the office I noticed a rainbow striped ally pin on the wall. I had no idea.

So many people my age would have literally killed for such a thing when I was in school. I compare my experience in high school to that of today's kids and it astounds me. With the staff I am out at school. I no longer even think about who may or may not be around when I discuss my private life. I have been able to become a resource for gay students who need a shoulder to cry on, a list of scholarships, or just a safe place. The icing on the cake is that the faculty have been overwhelmingly supportive. The emails and conversations I have had with a wide variety of faculty this week have been nothing short of extraordinary. I can honestly say I have found my voice in a very real way and one in which I never would have considered possible as lately as a few years ago. I know how far we have to go, but when a southern jock can come up to me on the day of silence and offer me full support, we have gone a long way indeed.

[galledgoblin]

1. 1985, 1992, 1998, 2003, 2006

I'm 22.

for my earliest years, the gay rights movement was defined by the AIDS epidemic.

Fred Phelps attended the first Clinton/Gore Inaugural Ball.

DOMA and Don't Ask, Don't Tell defined the mid-90's

Matthew Shepard was lynched in 1998; Phelps and his ilk protested, ultimately turning the entire nation against them and the virulent homophobic hate that cost Shepard his life. I think the play "The Laramie Project" ensured that we will not forget, and the movie "Boys Don't Cry" so soon afterwards also embedded anti-gay attacks and murders into public consciousness.

Lawrence v. Texas followed a few years later by the attempted Federal Marriage Amendment; at the same time, we invaded Iraq... and many Americans looked around and said "why are we wasting our time banning this at the NATIONAL level while there's a WAR?!"

I think we'll see full equality within the next 20 years.

[terrya]

2. Such a thing as you described was unheard of when I was in high school.

I was in high school from 1970 - 1974. Such a thing as gay and straight alliances in schools or adults there to counsel gay and lesbian kids...it was literally unheard of. I had no one to talk to during that time when I was attempting to deal with my homosexuality. All I can remember from that time was alienation and loneliness.

We have come a very long way indeed.

[dsc]

3. I know. I was in the 80's and there was nothing then either

I admit to not being the ideal person for this but I am glad to be here and very glad we have guidance people who are also here.