In the first entry I briefly mentioned having support for the QYA from the schoolboard. Well, to be more specific one other member and I got up in front of the board at an official meeting, gavel and all, and asked for it. It was a rather scary experience. First the times were mistaken so he and I had to sit outside the schoolboard office for nearly an hour waiting for everyone to show up. When we finally get inside there are a surprising number of people jammed into this little room. Before it began Brian Kangas showed us a draft of a new Policy he had been working on that banned discrimination against people of any gender or sexual orientation by students or teachers (a bit superfluous, but a good effort none the less Brian). Immediately we relaxed a bit. Until, that is, we were called in to present. Having nothing prepared to present (because I had to step in last minute for a certain someone) he and I were completely winging it. We told the board what we did, read our little official description, "The Prince Rupert QYA is a youth driven group that welcomes all sexual orientations, gay, lesbian, bi.... " and so forth. Explained that we would like to have their support and to be able to host a website from them. At one point I blurted out "And any available funding you might be able to supply." oops! never meant to say that at all. When we finally ran out of steam they began the vote right away. Immediately one of the men put up his hand. He was a large, burly, manly sort of guy that had a stone-cold expression and had been veritably grilling us during our speech. We could tell right away and had both already sort of imagined him as a gun-toting redneck (silly us). He and I both gasped barely audibly when the man put up his hand, and said "I propose we give the group our full support and host their website. As well, even though we don't usually do this, I suggest we give them $500 toward their seafest float." It was immediately seconded and carried. I could not wipe the huge shit-eating grin off my face as we thanked the board, got up and left. Elliot was ecstatic. We were totally impressed with ourselves. It was a damn good day in fact. The whole room had sat there grinning at us as we left. It was great. Certainly not what we had expected to have happened.
And did I mention that the head of the school board is friends with my mother and I ran into her the next day when I was walking past her office. She congratulated me on our speech and told me the school board would be lucky to have me in the future.
It was an amazing feeling. Some days I can't help but be impressed with the town and some of these people. It just goes to show you can't judge people so easily as you think. I'm rather ashamed of myself for that one.
I don't think I am ever going to forget the moment that that man put his hand up. The feeling of terror I had, and the feeling after he spoke.
e mërkurë, 13 qershor 2007
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Yup, I know exactly how you felt. I felt the same way right before I told my sister that I was gay. Isn't it amazing when people exceed your expectations.
paul
By the way Jess, I'm not overly worried about other people discovering my "secret." That was part of the point of my walking with you guys, to show my support for you and the rest of your group, but to also announce myself in a small way.
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