So earlier this week I wrote a letter to the editor of the Salt Lake Tribune. They published it!
Sex-Ed Ignorance
Sex-ed Ignorance
I agree with legislators that abstinence, contraception, sexuality and other life choices should be taught in the home.
However, how will parents teach these topics if they themselves weren't taught?
This is why comprehensive sex education is crucial.
Showing posts with label parents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label parents. Show all posts
Sunday, April 01, 2012
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Post-Christmas Wrap Up
A blessing. That is exactly the word I'd use to describe it. I expected Christmas this year to run smoothly, but in a moderate and small way. After all, you take small steps to make progress. I was surprised however.
Aaron had to work on Christmas Day. So we planned around it. He wouldn't be able to visit my brother's family in Logan that day, so we planned around it. We visited Paul & co. on Christmas eve. We went out to dinner with them and then went to their home to open gifts and play games. Aaron, Paul, Jade and the boys get along really well. I can see Aaron being himself with them and it makes me happy.
We were there till 11:30ish. When we arrived home, I needed to wrap all of my presents. With work, it was the only time I had to do it. I think we were up till 2:30 AM wrapping. I'd been exhausted all week from work. Retail is hell during Christmas. We both collapsed in bed after that.
We needed to arrive at my parents' home at 8 AM, so we didn't get much sleep that night. But we got up in time to exchange gifts with each other. Even thinking back on it now, it makes me beam. Aaron and I have been together for four years now, going on five. This was our first Christmas together. Having Christmas morning together is what couples do. I really felt closer to him for it.
So we arrived a little past eight and we exchanged gifts with my parents. A few days earlier, my mom had asked what she should get Aaron for Christmas. It really warmed my heart when she said that. Aaron and I put both our names on all of the gifts we gave. But later, after Aaron had left, I let my mom know which ones he had picked out. She was touched too.
My sister and her family normally come around 9 and we have a big breakfast together. Then we exchange gifts with them. Aaron and I planned on him leaving before she got there. That way there wouldn't be any uncomfortableness. (I'm not out to my sister and her family yet.) I told my mom this and she said, that no, they planned on Aaron spending as much time as possible until he had to leave for work.
I really did receive a lot of blessings this Christmas. We were both dead tired, it's true. But we got to spend the holiday together and with my family. That to me is a miracle. It wasn't uncomfortable or forced. Parents are wonderful things really. When they see the love you have for someone, some of their love transfers to him. I could see that very clearly this holiday.
I couldn't ask for more. (Well, maybe a little more sleep.)
Aaron had to work on Christmas Day. So we planned around it. He wouldn't be able to visit my brother's family in Logan that day, so we planned around it. We visited Paul & co. on Christmas eve. We went out to dinner with them and then went to their home to open gifts and play games. Aaron, Paul, Jade and the boys get along really well. I can see Aaron being himself with them and it makes me happy.
We were there till 11:30ish. When we arrived home, I needed to wrap all of my presents. With work, it was the only time I had to do it. I think we were up till 2:30 AM wrapping. I'd been exhausted all week from work. Retail is hell during Christmas. We both collapsed in bed after that.
We needed to arrive at my parents' home at 8 AM, so we didn't get much sleep that night. But we got up in time to exchange gifts with each other. Even thinking back on it now, it makes me beam. Aaron and I have been together for four years now, going on five. This was our first Christmas together. Having Christmas morning together is what couples do. I really felt closer to him for it.
So we arrived a little past eight and we exchanged gifts with my parents. A few days earlier, my mom had asked what she should get Aaron for Christmas. It really warmed my heart when she said that. Aaron and I put both our names on all of the gifts we gave. But later, after Aaron had left, I let my mom know which ones he had picked out. She was touched too.
My sister and her family normally come around 9 and we have a big breakfast together. Then we exchange gifts with them. Aaron and I planned on him leaving before she got there. That way there wouldn't be any uncomfortableness. (I'm not out to my sister and her family yet.) I told my mom this and she said, that no, they planned on Aaron spending as much time as possible until he had to leave for work.
I really did receive a lot of blessings this Christmas. We were both dead tired, it's true. But we got to spend the holiday together and with my family. That to me is a miracle. It wasn't uncomfortable or forced. Parents are wonderful things really. When they see the love you have for someone, some of their love transfers to him. I could see that very clearly this holiday.
I couldn't ask for more. (Well, maybe a little more sleep.)
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Changes
I haven't put up a blog post in quite awhile. And here it is nearly 2:30 in the morning and I feel like blogging. I've learned you don't look a blog horse in the mouth.
So one of the biggest changes in my life is taking place right now. My 17-year old nephew is living with Aaron and I for the summer. The circumstances are interesting and if you ask I may tell you. But he'll be living in our spare room till school starts in the fall.
It's taking some adjusting. I don't have a job right now. I'm used to having the house to myself while Aaron is at work. We're working on getting my nephew a job. I'm sure he gets bored here. I know I'm looking through adult (childless) glasses, but how do parents stand having their children home all day all summer? A job takes up to eight hours of the day. What do parents do with their children the rest of the time? There aren't that many "chores" here. We have a two-bedroom apartment. But I don't like the idea of him just watching TV all day or playing on facebook. We're learning.
But I think this is good. It shows immense trust in Aaron and I. How many parents do you know who would send their "impressionable young adult" to go live with their gay sibling and his partner? My brother and his wife are strong LDS people too. I was surprised and complimented. I think this will be a big step towards Aaron becoming a part of my family. He is becoming a true uncle.
This is a big change and I know there will be more adjustments. But I'm glad we made this decision together and I'm excited to see where it leads.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
The Hardest Thing I've Ever Done
Sunday I went with my parents up to Logan to go to my nephew's Eagle Court of Honor. I didn't really want to go. I imagined it would be long and drawn out and well, boring. I'm happy to say that I was wrong. It was actually inspiring. My 14 year old nephew and my 10 year old nephew both were impressed. Especially Zach, his eyes were all wide after watching the video about the eagle. It's good to see him take interest in something like that.
So afterwards, we were headed home after I dropped off my nephews. My parents wanted to just drive me straight to SLC but I asked to stop by their place. Then my dad was going wait in the car till I grabbed whatever it was I needed. I asked them both to come in because I needed to talk to them about something.
I sat them down and I came out to them. I won't go into great detail as it is personal. But they had suspected for two years. After finding out that I had a boyfriend, they were surprised. It seems my whole family suspected that I was gay, but none of them suspected that I did anything about it. So no one but me cried. My parents do worry for my eternal well-being. The gay doesn't bother them, just eternity. Which is... refreshing. We discussed several aspects of me being gay. I think we were mostly on the same page.
My parents are basically the last people I care about that I needed to tell. But this isn't the end, it's really the beginning. I'm sure after they have gotten over the shock of it, they will have many questions, and we may probably disagree on a lot of things. But we will learn from each other and come to an understanding.
I think the most important part of this is that I am tearing down the buffer zone that I needed to keep between my loved ones and myself. I was tired of lying but not ready to come out to them yet. I look forward to regaining what I lost.
So afterwards, we were headed home after I dropped off my nephews. My parents wanted to just drive me straight to SLC but I asked to stop by their place. Then my dad was going wait in the car till I grabbed whatever it was I needed. I asked them both to come in because I needed to talk to them about something.
I sat them down and I came out to them. I won't go into great detail as it is personal. But they had suspected for two years. After finding out that I had a boyfriend, they were surprised. It seems my whole family suspected that I was gay, but none of them suspected that I did anything about it. So no one but me cried. My parents do worry for my eternal well-being. The gay doesn't bother them, just eternity. Which is... refreshing. We discussed several aspects of me being gay. I think we were mostly on the same page.
My parents are basically the last people I care about that I needed to tell. But this isn't the end, it's really the beginning. I'm sure after they have gotten over the shock of it, they will have many questions, and we may probably disagree on a lot of things. But we will learn from each other and come to an understanding.
I think the most important part of this is that I am tearing down the buffer zone that I needed to keep between my loved ones and myself. I was tired of lying but not ready to come out to them yet. I look forward to regaining what I lost.
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