So I am over at my mom’s house this evening and I am waiting for her to try on a pair of dress pants that she needs me to hem. And in the middle of it all the phone rings. And of course, she can’t answer it because she is trying on these pants so she asks me to answer it. And I do. And I am completely unprepared.
On the other end of the line is this completely monotone voice who starts out talking faster than a semi-automatic machine gun. And all I can catch are bits and pieces: Proposition 102 … One-Man, One-Woman … Will you vote yes … Protect marriage … bla bla bla.
So when she stops to gasp for breath, I calmly state that I have a gay son. And she says, but will you vote yes to protect marriage? And I say, I don’t think you heard me, I have a gay son. And she says yes I heard you, will you vote to protect marriage?
And it is at this point I know I am going to blow it. My face is so hot and I am so angry that my mind goes completely blank. So what do I do?
I raise my voice really loud and I say: NO I WON’T VOTE FOR YOUR STUPID HATEFUL AMENDMENT. I HAVE A GAY SON!
And you know what? I still don’t think she made the connection.
4 comments:
Wow, the young lady strikes me as pretty dense. Sadly though, her inability to get your point underscores just how myopic some people in the anti-gay crowd can be. They honestly believe that denying gays certain civil liberties (such as legal protection for our long-term relationships) is all innocent. They find a way to justify their actions while reassuring themselves that they don't really have anything against gay people and think they should be treated well.
Don't be too hard on yourself for the way you handled the conversation. Being faced with that kind of shortsightedness. And besides, there's always next time.
Of course, I also wouldn't be surprised if part of the reason for the young lady's response was that you introduced and unplanned-for deviation to the script(s) that she was trained to use for such calls. ;)
Gay son, lesbian daughter, who cares...but will you vote for amendment? Unbelievable!!!
I always fail when presented with bold-faced bigotry. Someone once referred to those situations as a "mental slap in the face", which is exactly it: I'm so unprepared for it, and they happen so suddenly that I can't even process what's happening, much less formulate an appropriate response. You at least stood up for your views. My guess is that this person just didn't understand that not only do you have a gay son, but that you LOVE your gay son and are proud of him.
All we can do is try to prepare better for next time; good luck.
-Peace
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