Yesterday was the 40th anniversary of Stonewall. Do you know what this was? Have you ever heard of it? I hadn’t until I was about 25 and My sister was graduating from a VERY liberal college.
The Stonewall Rebellion/Riots is widely considered to be the birth of the Gay Pride Movement and of gay liberation. While the details of what ACTUALLY happened are not clear and are open for dispute; what is not open for dispute is that the environment of tolerance is better. It is not perfect; simply better. While gay, lesbian, and bisexual tolerance has increased dramatically . . . it feels like virtually NO movement has been made on the issues relating to gender identity.
Leslie Feinberg was asked to speak at My sister’s commencement. The seniors had been studying Leslie’s works all year and were thrilled to have her agree to address the class. PARENTS then had a nervous collapse; resulting in 100s of faxes to the administration. This caused the administration to rethink having her speak; until other parent’s got wind of the issue . . . and started faxing (yes it was that long ago!). Am VERY proud to say both My parents were in the later group.
Leslie did end up giving the commencement speech. It was an interesting contrast against the traditional bagpipes that were playing that day. Ultimately, it was an experience that I clearly remember . . . Leslie seemed to looked different from anyone else I had ever met; as did her partner. But, really what stuck was that Leslie had found a way to be true to hirself, that ze is no different from anyone else or Me, and that ze is just trying to live a life.
Was I there? No. Did I experience it? No. Did something happen there that broke a dam(n) of intolerance? Yes. Do I benefit from that? You bet. Thank you.
Tolerance should be abundant.
Tolerance should not judgment.
Tolerance should be accepting.
Tolerance requires nothing.
© 2009, Lady HotchKiss. All rights reserved.
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