When I read this post, my feeling was similar to what Insatiable describes as that held by the people on that other board: the woman was being rude, and extremely impatient.
Despite what this woman says, New York City is not "one of the most socially progressive cities in the world." There are probably 50 cities (or more) in Europe that are far more socially progressive. It's not even the most socially progressive city in the U.S.; that would be San Francisco, by a long shot.
But the fact that she believes New York City is "one of the most socially progressive cities in the world," speaks volumes about her reaction. She assumes everyone should think the same way she does, and that everyone should act the same way she does. And that's her chief problem.
Even the headline of this article is misguided. She's not a "lesbian mom," she's a mom. Period. The whole point is that non-heterosexual parents should never be viewed differently than heterosexual parents. So, why the qualifier?
Of course, I too yearn for a world where a woman like this should never be faced with a dilemma like this, where every person who deals with other people professionally is broad-minded, and where parents are viewed as parents, irrespective of their sexuality, or sex.
One phrase of Lois's really struck me: "Others really need to be paying more attention." I've never been a fan of the "We're here, we're queer, and fuck you if you don't like it" attitude. It's is up to "us" to ensure that others do pay attention, and it's up to "us" to help others -- with education, understanding, and, most important, patience. We DEMAND that others understand us and accept us. But sometimes, we make very little effort to understand them and accept them.
As much as I loathe the phrase, this woman missed out on a great "teaching moment." Had she handled herself more appropriately, the others would have learned and grown from the experience. And it's a shame she reacted the way she did.
« Last Edit: February 06, 2013, 11:47:48 PM by MissBarbara »
"Sometimes the best things in life are a hot girl and a cold beer."