I continue to be incredibly proud of the organization that invited me to join their board of directors five years ago. I know for sure that my three progressive, compassionate and urban daughters will be too.
Leadership is hard. Setting the example of correct, much more significant than ‘politically-correct’, behavior is to have to go against the existing “normal” perspective.
The ongoing fight for LGBT rights and acceptance as minority, but normal, members of our society is just, and overdue.
To quote the executive director of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, on our collective position; “Restaurants serve all.”
Such issues remind me of many years ago, on the funeral day of my paternal grandfather–on the back deck of my parents house many hours after the burial, sitting in the dark with my brother and my 80 year old, just widowed grandmother. The three of us huddled in the October cold, drinking cheap beer from cans–a rare and memorable moment in it’s own right. The conversation turned to my cousin, who, with her wife, had just recently adopted a son. My grandmother, who grew up referring to people with dark skin as “colored”, was able to adjust to “black” in later years. At that moment, with pink-eyes and surely a slight and saddened buzz, she said with gentle disgust in her voice; “Ugh. What’s this world coming to?”
Without missing a beat, my mostly fun-loving and compassionate brother responded with all due respect; “I don’t know Nan. I think, that all anybody in this life really wants is to be loved.” (Every single time I relay that story, I produce a tear)
Our Nanny thought–and for not very long at all–before replying with some new light in those sad eyes, and complete sincerity and recognition (and the slightest Scottish brogue still intact after 60+ years in America);
“Ya know Davey-lad, I suppose you are right. I believe you are right.”
All anyone in this life really wants is to be loved
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