May 2006 Archives

See all who participated here

So, I found, signed up, and have been thinking ever since about the "Blogging for LGBT Families Day"...of course, now that it's here, I'm not really sure what I want to write about.
I could write about being a lesbian mom...but that is a bit to raw and painful right now.
You see, as most of you know, I'm the mom of 3 wonderful boys. The painful part, is that they still live in Oklahoma with their father.
I'm sure some people think I wanted it that way, that it was a decision that we made, etc....well, if you know me, you know nothing could be further from the truth.
The raw part, is that I'm supposed to get them for visits...you know the routine, I'm sure...well, they're saying they don't want to come now...although, 2 of them can't even tell me why...I'm not stupid, I know why. (and yes, it has a lot to do with the parent they live with!)

I could write about being a lesbian daughter...about the family I was raised in...but that would be a very short story.

So...I think I can write about a different type of family...the one you make yourself.
As a very dear friend said to me on my wedding day, when I was upset that only one member of my family was there (my uncle, who I still don't think realizes what it meant to me that he was there) told me "T, your family is right here" (she was right, in so many ways)

In some respects, that which I call my family is very unique. We have 4 people in our household, my wife, myself, our 'daughter' and her daughter.
I would challenge anyone to tell me that we are not a family...we laugh together, cry together, feel each others pain, help one another. Everything any other 'family' does that is recognized by our government.

However...My wife and I have to file 'single' on our income taxes...it would cost a small fortune for us to draw up the papers that give the other one the right to visit the other in the hospital, to make medical decisions, and over 1,049 other rights and benefits (federal, we're not even counting state here) rights that other 'families' take for granted.

Does this make me mad? oh hell yes! How dare the government try to legislate what I can and cannot do in the privacy of my own home, how dare they try to tell me that my family is not 'valid', that as far as they're concerned, I don't exist!
Last I checked, my tax dollars still payed their salary...I bet if I stopped paying those they'd sure say I exist! I'm not hurting anyone, I'm not breaking any laws, yet, I don't have the same rights and privileges as other Americans (and before you say 'yes you do, you could marry a man', been there, done that, no way in hell!!)

Well...I didn't mean for this to turn into a rant...but I can't help that it upsets me the way they treat our families...and I guess, when it comes down to it, that's what this is all about.

Be gay to participate.
But if you are a single, coupled, or married gay parent, or a straight, supportive, or just know someone who is a gay parent and would like to participate...would you please consider going to the Blogging for LGBT Families post and joining in.

Thank you for your support!

I just wanted to take a moment, and thank everyone who helped out with the "Nurse Ran Tuition Fund"
Thanks to several people, online, and off, she had enough to cover her tuition :happydance
In related news...she got an "A" last semester :banana
needless to say, we're all VERY proud of her! :biggrin

OK, this is a first
As some of you may or may not know, my 'daughter', my best friend, my roomie, has been going to school to become a nurse.
She has been doing so well, I'm so proud of her!! She only has one semester left until she graduates.
The problem is, according to their website she was supposed to get her financial aid...come to find out, she's already used her max allotment during the fall and spring terms. :wtf And the money for her summer term is due on the 8th :walk_sad
I tried...I really did, to get the money for her tuition...unfortunately, my beacon score is to low (even with my cars as collateral) to qualify for a 1,000.00 loan, :hammer which is all she needs.
I really don't think it's fair that she might have to give up this dream because she cannot afford it...so we're asking, if you can, to help her out.
I realize this is a lot for a virtual stranger to ask of a bunch of people...but if you're in a position to help, I do have a paypal account, and the email address for it is redeagle1@redeaglespirit.com and thank you from the bottom of my heart. :1luvu