Thankful_Lez

Fellow law school drop out! High five! LOVE my career ^{Not so much my debt}

I...honestly, I don't have words...which is sad, because I'm an English teacher. But I've been sitting here with this blank box trying to figure out exactly what to say to you, should you eventually see this comment. So here are a bunch of words, probably not the right ones, but the ones that are coming to mind as I try to express what's in my heart.

You see, I'm not only a teacher (in Los Angeles, NOH8!), but I'm also a Gay-Straight Alliance sponsor. We watched your speech last year in our club. Many of us cried (ok, seriously, all of us cried). I've had so many students who have been abused, neglected, hated, feared, and kicked out of their homes for being LGBTQ. Or just for being. You moved us. Deeply.

As you can see from my username, I'm also a lesbian. In fact, I made this (my only) username to thank a woman who was pregnant and having a gay couple adopt her child. But now, and from this point forward, I'd like to dedicate this name to you. I'm crying as I type this because you have changed my life personally, especially once this video went viral. I know you didn't choose your parents, but you did choose to do and say what you did. And as someone who is a lesbian future-mom (and not too far into the future, either), I hope my children grow up as wonderfully as you did. None of my friends has grown children, yet, so I don't get to hear it first-hand that you will love us as you do once you grow up. And even though I know that's true, it's comforting to hear it straight from your mouth for the first time ever.

I mentioned to the other IAMA/AMA by the 18 year old raised by two lesbians that a male coworker told me that I should never have children with my (then) girlfriend because "How can women raise a man?" Thank you for showing the world that we can do a beautiful job because our gender is not what's important. And my single mother did a fabulous job with my brother.

I know I'm going to finish this and think of prolific, eloquent, deep things to say that will show you just how important this is to me, everyone over at r/actuallesbians (not to speak for us all, but I'm pretty sure they'd agree), my students (who would love to be raised by your two moms), my own mother (who is my biggest supporter), every lesbian on my facebook page (so, at least half of my friends) who is posting your video today (again, most of them), and the people whose minds and hearts you've changed, but for now, all I can say is thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I've always been lucky enough to be a Thankful_Lez, but today I've felt extra loved, especially reading the responses people are writing to you. What hope you've given me and countless others for the future. What hope the Redditors who have responded have given me. I hope for the day when what you did and said will be unremarkable, but for now, it is the opposite.

So I'll probably hit "save" now, and maybe go back and edit this, or read it and go "wow, that's a lot of incoherent rambling," but in this first post, I'll end with this: I will remember you and remember this video forever. And I will think of you, however briefly, some moment in the future when I have my children (biological, hopefully, and adopted), and how you (and countless others) fought so bravely for us to be recognized as the loving family we've become. I hope that communicates the magnitude of your words and actions.

Thank you, again.

(Yep, EDITed for grammar and inclusion of my awesome (formerly) single mom.)

I have a student like this in my class (I teach high school). I don't know his medical history, but I always feel bad when older students come back to visit and say (loudly), "Wow, was I that small as a freshman?!" They do this even when they are sophomores (as anyone who has taught sophomore knows, they are so old and wise). Actually, lots of people comment (there is also a lot of "Aww, he is so cute!" as if he can't hear). The student himself doesn't show any negative emotion around it, and is very laid back with a great sense of humor, but I don't know how it makes him feel. And I want him to know I don't think that is ok for them to say. How did your brother like to be supported by teachers? Thanks for sharing.

Maybe she mentioned it on social media so her fans made accounts to ask questions.

Mine is three years old and I don't have a question, or any stake in this either way, just taking a guess.

Thanks. That's reassuring. Got to say, I got a little nervous when I saw that red envelope. It's hard to put that personal part out there, especially on the internet. This was a really nice reply and what I needed to hear. I appreciate it.