*Volume 8* * January 2000 *
In This Newsletter
Why we Need My Sisters House
quoted from NOW
You and your girlfriend are holding hands on a busy street. A man shoves you and spits out a threat. You are both shaken, but aren't comfortable going to the police.
Your 65 year-old aunt is in intensive care. You and your husband visit but you notice that her partner never does. When you ask why, she tells you that the hospital only allows immediate family. Your aunt's partner can only see her if she pretends to be her sister.
Your daughter decides not to try out for her school basketball team because she overhears other students calling the players "dykes". She loves the sports, but fears the taunting of her classmates.
You avoid conversations with your office colleagues so you don't have to discuss your lover. You wouldn't dream of having a photo of her on your desk or bringing her to the office holiday party.
You're attracted to other girls at school, but there's no one for you to talk to. You're afraid you'll lose your friends and your parents will kick you out of the house.
You're fired from your job of 25 years because your boss finds out that you are a lesbian. When you call a lawyer to sue for reinstatement, you're shocked to find you have no legal protection against such discrimination.
If any of these statements sound familiar with your life, perhaps My Sisters House is the place for you to relax.
Vermont Supreme Court Decision
BOSTON (Reuters) - The Vermont Supreme Court ruled on Monday that gay people are entitled to the same marriage benefits as heterosexuals, in an unprecedented decision hailed by U.S. gay rights advocates.
The court's decision, which is suspended to give the state legislature time to act, said the lawmakers must now consider whether to allow gay marriages or to set up a legal system of domestic partnership.
But in either case, the result must offer equal protections to same-sex couples as to heterosexual married couples, the small New England state's highest court ruled in a unanimous decision.
Lesbian Christian Channel
For those of you that are looking for a spirited place to visit and share great company you might check out the lesbian christian channel in yahoo....simply type in www.christianlesbians.com......this chat room originates in california and appears on monday nights at 7pm pacific time so configure your time to that time and have a great chat.
Through My Eyes
Written BY: Eva_d
When one comes out of the closet, the local lesbian bar is often the only place to go to if one wants to meet women and make friends with people who share the same values. But what happens if one, like me, feels uncomfortable in a bar environment or that no lesbian associations are available in the area ? Isolation ! Isolation ! Isolation !
That is why I fell in love with the idea of My Sister’s House the moment I heard about it. Finally someone had come up with an idea that met my needs : a place to find support, to feel part of a community and family, to meet other lesbians and that, outside the club circle.
What I like about My Sister’s House is that it can come to life in different forms. It can be an organization that provides housing and support for older lesbians who are less fortunate or for those who just wish to be amongst themselves and that throughout the country.
My Sister’s House could also become a chain of coffee shops, a place where lesbians of all age groups could go and meet, a place where one could just be. It would give women the opportunity to just sit and talk, take part in different workshops, attend conferences... in a friendly environment.
But most of all, the coffee shop could be a place for the younger generation to learn more about its history. Being a member of that group, I feel it is important for all of us to know our past for it is with the past that we can plan the future. So many women have fought and struggled so that our way of life could recognized and accepted... These women deserve to be heard for they are the best source of information and it is certainly not in a bar that this could be done.
On New Year’s day, my family has a tradition which is to make two wishes : one personal and one for the community. Each year, I ask to win the lottery and, being the good girl that I am, for world peace as well. Needless to say, I have not been too successful at obtaining any. The year 2000 will not make me change my mind as far as my personal wish is concerned (I do want to win the lotto) and world peace remains an important issue in my life, but this year, I wish for a great project to come to life : My Sister’s House.
My Sister’s House, it is you, it is me, it is each and everyone of us. Talk about it to your friends, give some of your time and energy, give donations if you can......but please do not keep this idea to yourself. Ladies, please make my wish come true ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Road to Peace
Written and used by permission by Heather
The dictionary says that a Homosexual is: "Of or having sexual desires for persons of the same sex."
I define it simply as "Loving the one whom God gives to me to love."
Why must love have a title or a name? Other then simply "Love." It's basic human nature. It's not anything to hide or be ashamed of.
It wasn't always easy for me to admit that I'm gay. There was a time that I hated myself for it. I tried to commit suicide a couple times. I thought I was sick, insane, and just plain messed up. I know now that I'm none of the above.
My own Mother just found out recently. (Unfortuantly, not in the manner that I wanted her to.) She is being great about it. It will take her a lot of time to get used to it, but it sure is a relief no longer having to hide and lie to the one that taught me to value truth. I love you Mom. I don't want to hurt you. Thank-You for loving me as me.
I was raised in a church that teaches Homosexuality is an abomination, a direct path to Hell. It installed fear in me, as well as a deep hatred for myself, and for God. People have told me that I'm not really saved or that I am going to burn in Hell. But God saved me the day I asked Him into Heart!! I no longer need saving from anything, except the cruel and ignorant piety of people.
I've heard all of the lectures and bashing that can possibly be. I've been called every name in the book, and a few that are not. I can, and will not change myself to suit anyone. I have no regrets about my sexuality. I know that God loves me "Just as I Am."
I'm sorry friends, not for what I am, but for how you must feel at this moment. I know what that feeling is, for I felt it for most of my life. Revulsion, shame, disbelief--rejection through fear of something I knew, even as a child, is as basic to my nature as the color of my eyes.
I wasn't "recruited" by anyone. No seasoned homosexual ever served as my mentor. But you know what? I wish someone had. I wish someone older than me and wiser than me had taken me aside and said, "You're all right, Heather. You can grow up to be anything you want to, just like anyone else. You're not crazy or sick or evil or going to Hell. You can succeed and be happy and find peace with friends--all kinds of friends--who don't care who you fall in love with. Most of all, though, you can love and be loved, without hating yourself for it."
But no one ever said that to me. I had to find out on my own, with the help of my friends (Both Strait and Gay) and a Christian, Gay-Affirming Church. I know this may be hard for you to believe, but the world is full of men and women, both straight and gay, who don't consider sexuality in measuring the worth of another human being. These aren't radicals or weirdos. They are shop clerks and bankers and little old ladies and people who nod and smile to you when you meet them on the street. Their attitude is neither patronizing nor pitying. And their message is so simple: Yes, you are a person. Yes, I like you. Yes, it's all right for you to like me too. You're O.K.
I know I can't tell you what it is to be gay. But I can tell you what it's not. It's not hiding behind words like family, decency, and "mainstream" Christianity. It's not fearing your body, or the pleasures that God made for it. It's not judging your neighbor, nor is it an instant gate into Hell or a path to destruction.
Being gay has taught me tolerance, compassion, and humility. It has shown me the limitless possibilities of living. It has given me people whose passion and kindness and sensitivity have provided a constant source of strength. It has brought joy into my life, and I like it here. I like it.
There's not much else I can say, except that I'm the same Heather you've always known, and loved. You just know me better now. Please accept me as me, I can't take the hiding anymore.
A special thanks to Darlene, Paula, Sue, Lynn, Eddy, Amy, and all of my friends that have stood by me all of these years. You do make a difference!! Thank-You all!!
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