Ignorance

Well, I've had my monthly meltdown, and I feel ready to face life and deal with "things" sanely again. I can't believe I get so emotional and OUT OF CONTROL twelve times a year. WHY??? Is there some drug I can take that will keep my behavior in check during these times? My poor, poor husband. He really does try so hard to understand and make me feel better. But, he is right....nothing he does or says makes me feel better when I am like this. I'm pretty sure he is at least as frustrated as I am! Anyway, I'm good to go for another month or so. Bring it on!

I was waiting to donate blood the other day, and this woman I know had just finished reading that red foldered booklet the American Cross requires each donor to read. She made a comment to me that really pissed me off (for lack of a better term). She said, "Have you ever slept with a gay man? I can't believe they even ask that question!!!" and she said this is a very disgusted tone of voice. I made the comment that I actually have slept with a gay man. Of course she laughed it off and went about her ignorant ways. I don't know why that made me so upset. I guess because she's one of those "holier than thou" mormon women who don't really know what they're saying a lot of times. I went home and told my husband what had happened and how much I hate this person. He just laughed and had compassion for her because of her ignorance. (And hate is not too strong a word to use because I've had other "ignorant" experiences with this same woman. I know her quite well.)

Another ignorant experience...I was visiting my parents last week for a few days. I love to see my Mom and Dad. They are great people and so much fun to be around. However, they too are ignorant. Dad was telling me about a high school principal or some other school official who knew about a male teacher who had sexually abused a 13 year old boy but did not report it. He then went on to say that the reason he didn't report it is because "he's one of those gay rights activists". WOW! My own father. He is basically saying that gay men are pedophiles! How many other heterosexual people think this is true?

I am shocked at the level of ignorance out there! It really upsets me. I hope be able to feel compassion for these people someday, but right now it just makes me mad. I am happy my husband is so tolerant. I guess he's been dealing with this issue on a very personal basis for a long, long time. It's only been 3 years for me. Sometimes I think coming out to our families would be helpful as far as the ignorance is concerned.

I am thankful our children are so tolerant and accepting of people who are different than they are. Our daughters' seminary teacher has said so many ignorant things concerning homosexuality. One of our girls gets so upset about this! She is usually in tears by the time she finishes telling us about what had been said. We tell her that the teacher is not a bad person, but just ignorant. Some of what she teaches the kids about homosexuality is not even gospel doctrine, as far as I know. We have a lot of discussions around the dinner table about gay people. We watched "Prayers for Bobby" as a family, and we've talked about it a lot. I am proud of our children for standing up for what they believe.