Hi! My name is Kate and I am another new Program and Education
Intern at Family Equality Council this summer. I am a rising junior
at Bowdoin College, majoring in Anthropology with a minor in
English. Like Caroline, I wanted to share a little bit about myself
and why I am so excited to be part of this organization.
Like any other kid, I received an education from my teachers,
family, and, no less importantly, from peers.
From my family, I was lucky enough to learn tolerance and
acceptance.
In school, I learned that certain types of discrimination were
dealt with openly. I remember learning about “age
discrimination,” even though my teacher couldn’t think of a
single example to which the fifth grade class could relate. I
learned that other kinds of discrimination were taboo; I was told
“that’s not what we’re talking about today, Kate,” when I
raised my hand and brought up sexual orientation during our
lesson.
From peers, I learned that “gay” meant stupid. I learned that
“fag” meant stupid, too, and you said it when you were feeling
especially courageous. When I turned nine and my sister came out as
a lesbian, these comments started to sting in a way they hadn’t
before.
Somehow, the teacher who shot down my interjection was just as
hurtful as the ten-year-old boy who shouted “fag” on the
kickball field. He should know better, I thought. So I stood up for
my sister. It didn’t seem hard to say, “My sister’s gay.” I
almost enjoyed the look on people’s faces when I called them out.
I wanted them to feel ashamed.
In the past year, I have come to understand the different kind of
sting words and actions can have when they are directed at me, as
opposed to a loved one. This kind of sting is harder to stand up
to. It is less outraging and more hurtful and crippling. This, more
than anything else, taught me the importance of family.
A loving family will support me when I cannot support myself, and
my love for my family causes me to defend and fight back in an
attempt to make the world a happier place for them and not just for
myself.
I am so excited to be a part of Family Equality Council, an
organization specifically geared towards helping families love and
support each other, and do their part to show others how deep that
love and support runs in all kinds of families.