Random Aliyah Question #463.2
moocowinthecity …Postal Delivery: in the U.S. we don’t have it Sunday, but we do have it Saturday…in Israel, is it reversed (mail on Sunday but not on Saturday?).
March 2007
Random Aliyah Question #463.2
…Postal Delivery: in the U.S. we don’t have it Sunday, but we do have it Saturday…in Israel, is it reversed (mail on Sunday but not on Saturday?).
Spring Break Wrap Up
Spring Break Wrap Up
Dinner on 14th Street
So…some of my friends from UB Jacqueline (hollow_voice) and her boyfriend, Joe and Adira (endless_gypsy) were coming down to NYC to visit one of Jacqueline’s friends from when she was on study abroad in Italy (he’s now studying in NYC) and they wanted to know about parking, etc. So I told them that they could park in front of my house on The Island because there’s more than enough room.
So when they got here, I introduced them to the family (Mom, Dad, Sam & the Dog) and then we made our way into NYC; after depositing their things on 85th St. on the East Side and picking up her friend from Italy, we went down to the West Village to forage for food. Eventually we wound up on the corner of 8th and 14th and I spotted a little place called Tequilas and Adira had mentioned earlier that she wanted Mexican and it met my standards in that it was small, shady and seedy…so, perfect for everyone really.
The food turned out to be fantastic and well priced. The frozen Margaritas were delightful and the chili was perfection. If you’re looking for some Mexican and you’re in the West Village check it out. I had to leave slightly earlier than everyone else because I had a dentist appointment in the morning and I had to catch the LIRR back home.
Dentists
So I went to my Dentist the next day (Wednesday) and basically, it was pretty pointless. I was told that I have no issues with my gums, they’re ‘perfection’ as far as gums go, my teeth are wonderful. I’ve never had a cavity and I don’t have one now. So essentially I paid (or my insurance did) to have someone clean my teeth for me, which I guess was nice of them. I mean, I’d prefer it if they paid someone to you know, wave fans and feed me grapes, but having a personal tooth washer can come in handy too in some situations, I guess. Not that I’m recommending that people skip out on their dentist, but I hadn’t been to my dentist in two years and I’m doing just fine…so brush your teeth three times a day, call your mother, and you’re fine.
“All content and aftertaste, it’s like I’m waiting for the scars to heal…kissing me as best…” – Loretta Young Silks
Overall, I’m not terribly satisfied with my education to date.
There’s so much more for me to learn that this degree is almost totally pointless in a way. Yes, it’s given me a good foundation and pointed me in the direction that I want to go in (EMI/T – Emergency Medical Interpretation/Translation), but that’s about it. And while a foundation is important, that’s also how I viewed my High School Education so it’s sort of depressing when the two become so intricately linked, of course I’ve had a much better time in University than I did in High School so that’s a plus.
Right now, I’m gnawing on rawhide and biding my time until I can go out into the world and build the house that the supreme architect worked out for me because I’m tired of building foundations; and while I’ll miss all of my friends, I can’t wait to make Aliyah and start a whole new learning process and really get into the grind.
Classes are going well, though I never feel that way; I always feel behind, I always feel like I can do more, and can do better, and because I wasn’t feeling well I missed one day of classes so I’ve been guilt-ing myself over that for a few days now. However, I am doing good work and I’ll get the results of my Arabic Mid-Term soon (hopefully on Tuesday, Thursday at the latest).
I missed the ability to hand in an assignment for Jürgen’s class; but he drops the lowest grade so I’ll just do really well on the other two assignments (my first assignment was an A) and I should do well in the course.
All of my other courses I’m up to date on all the work and doing well…I just never feel that way. I’ll be getting a lot of work done Tomorrow at the Library, however, so that’s good.
Garlic: Nature’s Anti-Biotic
I’ve been downing garlic for the past few days until I can see my Doctor and this thing’s almost all out of my system as it is anyway so that’s good so by the time I have my appointment it may just be fully gone…and as an added benefit, Vampires are about 400 feet away from me.
“You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” – Dr. Seuss”
I can’t wait, the summer is almost upon us…warm weather is here which means I can start running again and walking from my apartment to school (about 7 miles) or from my apartment to the club (also about 7 miles, just in the opposite direction). And of course, with the spring comes those natural human desires associated with this time of year which will be addressed in short order (hopefully).
Tagged by Mr. Weasel Pants
RULES: Each player of this game starts off with 10 weird things/habits/little known facts about yourself. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 10 weird habits/things/little known facts as well as state this rule clearly. At the end you need to choose 10 people to be tagged and list their names. No tag backs.
1. I love Stoners, Jocks and Frat Boys..it’s a weakness I’ve had for some time…and the rougher around the edges they are…the more attracted I am to them.
2. The more attractive I find someone the more verbally combative I get to see if they’re potentially datable, if they don’t put up a fight, challenge me, or call me on it I move on. I need someone who I can’t steamroll over and who’ll take me on.
3. I’ve been talking about eloping since High School and plan to do so at some point in the future. I hate formal events and can’t really see the benefit in spending upwards of $300 a plate on family members that I’ve met no more than twenty times in my life. If I do have a ‘wedding’ (I use ” not to nullify the significance of the act but rather to denote the show that follows) I’ll mail out plane tickets two weeks before and you can clear your schedule and come if you want to; if you can’t come, cash in your ticket and go have fun wherever you want when your time allows you too. The wedding will be conducted in private (as personal vows should be) and will be commemorated in bermuda shorts with margaritas at a bar on the beach.
4. I’m a registered Independent (since I’ve been able to Vote) though my politics can be more accurately described as Libertarian. I dislike both the Republican and Democratic parties almost equally at this point; I find both to be disingenuous and I dislike both parties present day politics. I’m for the de-criminlization of Marijuana and drugs in general for that matter, what Adults choose to put into their bodies is their business as long as they’ve made an informed decision and are prepared to deal with the consequences and don’t intrude into the rights or property of other people in pursuit of their recreational pleasure. I’m for the de-criminalization of Prostitution which only punishes the prostitutes, not the Johns, both of whom as adults should have every right to enter into whatever arrangement they wish so long as it’s done without coercion. I don’t believe the government should recognize any form of marriage and that it should be a private arrangement and matter between two or more adults so long as it is done willingly and the individuals are past the age of consent (which is not to intrude on the rights and liberties of minors, but to protect them until they’re able to make fully informed choices).
5. I always have my bag with me.
6. I hate wearing shoes. I love sandals.
7. The idea of a “normal day at the office” is so repulsive to me that I am actively seeking jobs that require repelling out of helicopters and being shot at…I am responsible for a large portion of my mothers grey hairs, which both I and her take as some weird badge of honor.
8. I get annoyed when people who are promiscuous and loose try to hide behind the flag of being polyamorous to defend their behavior (which they don’t have to defend, I just object to them using the wrong term or trying to hide who they are) instead of admitting that they just like it and they like a lot of it. However, the two are not the same thing (though one is more stigmatized than the other). Being polyamorous means that you love the other people of whom you are in a relationship with, not just lusting after them and fucking . Fucking a lot of people, often, while not in some form of a relationship doesn’t make you polyamorous; there’s a difference.
9. I drink my coffee black and really can’t understand why people sweeten it to the point where it’s no longer coffee…isn’t easier to just get a soda?
10. I listen to my music one song at a time, on repeat.
…I tag everyone…no seriously, you’re all tagged. I don’t like to follow the rules.
Shower Time
Time for a shower, and then bed…
Spring Break Wrap Up
Spring Break Wrap Up
Dinner on 14th Street
So…some of my friends from UB Jacqueline (hollow_voice) and her boyfriend, Joe and Adira (endless_gypsy) were coming down to NYC to visit one of Jacqueline’s friends from when she was on study abroad in Italy (he’s now studying in NYC) and they wanted to know about parking, etc. So I told them that they could park in front of my house on The Island because there’s more than enough room.
So when they got here, I introduced them to the family (Mom, Dad, Sam & the Dog) and then we made our way into NYC; after depositing their things on 85th St. on the East Side and picking up her friend from Italy, we went down to the West Village to forage for food. Eventually we wound up on the corner of 8th and 14th and I spotted a little place called Tequilas and Adira had mentioned earlier that she wanted Mexican and it met my standards in that it was small, shady and seedy…so, perfect for everyone really.
The food turned out to be fantastic and well priced. The frozen Margaritas were delightful and the chili was perfection. If you’re looking for some Mexican and you’re in the West Village check it out. I had to leave slightly earlier than everyone else because I had a dentist appointment in the morning and I had to catch the LIRR back home.
Dentists
So I went to my Dentist the next day (Wednesday) and basically, it was pretty pointless. I was told that I have no issues with my gums, they’re ‘perfection’ as far as gums go, my teeth are wonderful. I’ve never had a cavity and I don’t have one now. So essentially I paid (or my insurance did) to have someone clean my teeth for me, which I guess was nice of them. I mean, I’d prefer it if they paid someone to you know, wave fans and feed me grapes, but having a personal tooth washer can come in handy too in some situations, I guess. Not that I’m recommending that people skip out on their dentist, but I hadn’t been to my dentist in two years and I’m doing just fine…so brush your teeth three times a day, call your mother, and you’re fine.
“All content and aftertaste, it’s like I’m waiting for the scars to heal…kissing me as best…” – Loretta Young Silks
Overall, I’m not terribly satisfied with my education to date.
There’s so much more for me to learn that this degree is almost totally pointless in a way. Yes, it’s given me a good foundation and pointed me in the direction that I want to go in (EMI/T – Emergency Medical Interpretation/Translation), but that’s about it. And while a foundation is important, that’s also how I viewed my High School Education so it’s sort of depressing when the two become so intricately linked, of course I’ve had a much better time in University than I did in High School so that’s a plus.
Right now, I’m gnawing on rawhide and biding my time until I can go out into the world and build the house that the supreme architect worked out for me because I’m tired of building foundations; and while I’ll miss all of my friends, I can’t wait to make Aliyah and start a whole new learning process and really get into the grind.
Classes are going well, though I never feel that way; I always feel behind, I always feel like I can do more, and can do better, and because I wasn’t feeling well I missed one day of classes so I’ve been guilt-ing myself over that for a few days now. However, I am doing good work and I’ll get the results of my Arabic Mid-Term soon (hopefully on Tuesday, Thursday at the latest).
I missed the ability to hand in an assignment for Jürgen’s class; but he drops the lowest grade so I’ll just do really well on the other two assignments (my first assignment was an A) and I should do well in the course.
All of my other courses I’m up to date on all the work and doing well…I just never feel that way. I’ll be getting a lot of work done Tomorrow at the Library, however, so that’s good.
Garlic: Nature’s Anti-Biotic
I’ve been downing garlic for the past few days until I can see my Doctor and this thing’s almost all out of my system as it is anyway so that’s good so by the time I have my appointment it may just be fully gone…and as an added benefit, Vampires are about 400 feet away from me.
“You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” – Dr. Seuss”
I can’t wait, the summer is almost upon us…warm weather is here which means I can start running again and walking from my apartment to school (about 7 miles) or from my apartment to the club (also about 7 miles, just in the opposite direction). And of course, with the spring comes those natural human desires associated with this time of year which will be addressed in short order (hopefully).
Tagged by Mr. Weasel Pants
RULES: Each player of this game starts off with 10 weird things/habits/little known facts about yourself. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 10 weird habits/things/little known facts as well as state this rule clearly. At the end you need to choose 10 people to be tagged and list their names. No tag backs.
1. I love Stoners, Jocks and Frat Boys..it’s a weakness I’ve had for some time…and the rougher around the edges they are…the more attracted I am to them.
2. The more attractive I find someone the more verbally combative I get to see if they’re potentially datable, if they don’t put up a fight, challenge me, or call me on it I move on. I need someone who I can’t steamroll over and who’ll take me on.
3. I’ve been talking about eloping since High School and plan to do so at some point in the future. I hate formal events and can’t really see the benefit in spending upwards of $300 a plate on family members that I’ve met no more than twenty times in my life. If I do have a ‘wedding’ (I use ” not to nullify the significance of the act but rather to denote the show that follows) I’ll mail out plane tickets two weeks before and you can clear your schedule and come if you want to; if you can’t come, cash in your ticket and go have fun wherever you want when your time allows you too. The wedding will be conducted in private (as personal vows should be) and will be commemorated in bermuda shorts with margaritas at a bar on the beach.
4. I’m a registered Independent (since I’ve been able to Vote) though my politics can be more accurately described as Libertarian. I dislike both the Republican and Democratic parties almost equally at this point; I find both to be disingenuous and I dislike both parties present day politics. I’m for the de-criminlization of Marijuana and drugs in general for that matter, what Adults choose to put into their bodies is their business as long as they’ve made an informed decision and are prepared to deal with the consequences and don’t intrude into the rights or property of other people in pursuit of their recreational pleasure. I’m for the de-criminalization of Prostitution which only punishes the prostitutes, not the Johns, both of whom as adults should have every right to enter into whatever arrangement they wish so long as it’s done without coercion. I don’t believe the government should recognize any form of marriage and that it should be a private arrangement and matter between two or more adults so long as it is done willingly and the individuals are past the age of consent (which is not to intrude on the rights and liberties of minors, but to protect them until they’re able to make fully informed choices).
5. I always have my bag with me.
6. I hate wearing shoes. I love sandals.
7. The idea of a “normal day at the office” is so repulsive to me that I am actively seeking jobs that require repelling out of helicopters and being shot at…I am responsible for a large portion of my mothers grey hairs, which both I and her take as some weird badge of honor.
8. I get annoyed when people who are promiscuous and loose try to hide behind the flag of being polyamorous to defend their behavior (which they don’t have to defend, I just object to them using the wrong term or trying to hide who they are) instead of admitting that they just like it and they like a lot of it. However, the two are not the same thing (though one is more stigmatized than the other). Being polyamorous means that you love the other people of whom you are in a relationship with, not just lusting after them and fucking . Fucking a lot of people, often, while not in some form of a relationship doesn’t make you polyamorous; there’s a difference.
9. I drink my coffee black and really can’t understand why people sweeten it to the point where it’s no longer coffee…isn’t easier to just get a soda?
10. I listen to my music one song at a time, on repeat.
…I tag everyone…no seriously, you’re all tagged. I don’t like to follow the rules.
Shower Time
Time for a shower, and then bed…
Saratoga
Ladies & Gentleman: Hair of the Dog!
I’ve been hanging out with Jackie this weekend! It’s been wonderful, I’ve missed her so much since she’s moved. I arrived here Friday Night and we (Jackie, her Sister and I) made our way to the Parting Glass Pub to see Hair of the Dog. What a rocking time. Plenty of Guinness on tap, people standing, leaning and swaying in the aisles, women dancing behind us, everyone singing along in a packed pub. I haven’t had a time like that in quite awhile, it was an absolute blast…I had about 4 pints in me and was doing just fine. Jackie, however was wasted…on one pint…oh, I’m sorry she wants me to clarify, a pint and a half.
I recognized one of the guys in the crowd who had a marine cut; I know I met him about a year ago…I can’t quite remember where I met him though, and he was in the company of a woman so I didn’t really want to go up to him incase the place that I met him wasn’t a Starbucks and was more like, oh say the leather party when he was wearing aviators…so I caught his eye once or twice and left it at that.
“You know you’re in the country when you use Roadkill as landmarks” ~ iolausian
Jackie lives…in the middle of nowhere (her excuse “the rent is super cheap”). For those of you who know me, you know that, much like taking your dog to the vet or giving your cat a bath, to get me to go to the country normally requires a tranq gun and some ketamine, bag me and use some chloroform until we arrive at our destination. The country is not normally a place I visit by choice (I tend to drift towards cities) however, for Jackie I make the sacrafice…at least she appreciates my complete terror of being in the country (I hate being outside of a city) and I think that was realized today, when, while we were driving Jackie used Roadkill as a landmark to figure out of we were lost or not “…oh I remember maneuvering past that roadkill yesterday…”
RKO
So Jackie and I have been having a RKO: Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers Marathon; absolutely some of the most wonderful dancing I’ve ever seen…and perhaps the most tawdry, roguish, wonderfully scripted innuendo. We’re going to watch more of that and some Trek (the last two movies which I haven’t seen yet and which will torture Jackie given her proclivity to avoid series after they’ve gone down the tubes) tomorrow after we get back from seeing her school (St. Rose) so she can study for her exam and I can start transcribing Eminem for my paper for Wolf; and I can email Jürgen and harass him.
Overall, having a wonderful time and feeling much better.
I’ll be back in Buffalo Monday Night.
Saratoga
Ladies & Gentleman: Hair of the Dog!
I’ve been hanging out with Jackie this weekend! It’s been wonderful, I’ve missed her so much since she’s moved. I arrived here Friday Night and we (Jackie, her Sister and I) made our way to the Parting Glass Pub to see Hair of the Dog. What a rocking time. Plenty of Guinness on tap, people standing, leaning and swaying in the aisles, women dancing behind us, everyone singing along in a packed pub. I haven’t had a time like that in quite awhile, it was an absolute blast…I had about 4 pints in me and was doing just fine. Jackie, however was wasted…on one pint…oh, I’m sorry she wants me to clarify, a pint and a half.
I recognized one of the guys in the crowd who had a marine cut; I know I met him about a year ago…I can’t quite remember where I met him though, and he was in the company of a woman so I didn’t really want to go up to him incase the place that I met him wasn’t a Starbucks and was more like, oh say the leather party when he was wearing aviators…so I caught his eye once or twice and left it at that.
“You know you’re in the country when you use Roadkill as landmarks” ~ iolausian
Jackie lives…in the middle of nowhere (her excuse “the rent is super cheap”). For those of you who know me, you know that, much like taking your dog to the vet or giving your cat a bath, to get me to go to the country normally requires a tranq gun and some ketamine, bag me and use some chloroform until we arrive at our destination. The country is not normally a place I visit by choice (I tend to drift towards cities) however, for Jackie I make the sacrafice…at least she appreciates my complete terror of being in the country (I hate being outside of a city) and I think that was realized today, when, while we were driving Jackie used Roadkill as a landmark to figure out of we were lost or not “…oh I remember maneuvering past that roadkill yesterday…”
RKO
So Jackie and I have been having a RKO: Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers Marathon; absolutely some of the most wonderful dancing I’ve ever seen…and perhaps the most tawdry, roguish, wonderfully scripted innuendo. We’re going to watch more of that and some Trek (the last two movies which I haven’t seen yet and which will torture Jackie given her proclivity to avoid series after they’ve gone down the tubes) tomorrow after we get back from seeing her school (St. Rose) so she can study for her exam and I can start transcribing Eminem for my paper for Wolf; and I can email Jürgen and harass him.
Overall, having a wonderful time and feeling much better.
I’ll be back in Buffalo Monday Night.
Proposed Speech for the Lavender Ceremony
With thanks to my ever vigilant muse katancelt:
Proposed Speech
Good Afternoon Everyone, my name is Matthew Lee Schwartz. I serve as a student member on the Gender and Sexual Orientation Committee which is a board composed of some of the most dedicated people I have ever had the pleasure to work with. It has been my distinct honor to work with them to bring this ceremony to the University at Buffalo Today and it is my greater honor to address the University, our Community, All of our Families and my Peers Today as we celebrate the First Annual Lavender ceremony here at UB.
Some people questioned whether such a ceremony was necessary; in fact, many did when I first told them about it. Questions were raised, “why do you have to be separatists? Why does everything have to be a Gay issue with you people” and the answer, so simple, so succinct was provided for us by a fallen hero in the Queer community who wrote a play that rocked a generation, that transformed how people perceive us and the world around them and who brought the world of high brow theatre down to Generation X and the MTV Generation who were disillusioned with the hate and homophobia they were seeing around them:
Today is about being an us for once, instead of a them.
The man was Jonathan Larson. The play was RENT.
And while Mr, Larson passed away at 3am the day that the lights were set to go up – he was 35 – the show still went on and it gained international attention and recognition for it’s powerful, accurate portrayal of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans communities for what we are, with all of our quirks, with our faults and with our beauty. To so many who have never had contact with our community, he became an ambassador for us, introducing us to them as humans, with feelings, with lives and with history.
And like the message Jonathan Larson sent around the world, Today is a beautiful celebration of our community, of our accomplishments, of our hard work, of our solidarity with each other and the strength it took us to get to where we are Today. Looking around me Today at my peers and the audience, I’ve never seen something more beautiful or a crowd so good looking and the beauty that I’m seeing shining before me is coming from the inside out.
This event is also to honor those who paved the way for us to have the courage to come out. I can tell you from personal experience that it certainly wasn’t easy when I was outed at my High School eight years ago and I can’t begin to imagine the strength it took for those a generation before me to pick up the receiver, put a quarter in a pay phone and call their parents and say “Mom…Dad…I’m…” and you can fill in the blank with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans or other because it’s never been easy but thanks to the hard work of these dedicated activists it’s getting a lot easier. I thank you and I salute you. You’ve set a high bar and some deep footprints for us to follow in and I hope that we live up to your expectations as we enter the world around us and begin to take lead of the movement towards our liberation.
When you come out you inevitably end up with two families; one family helps you take your first footsteps as a child. Your other family helps you take your first shaky steps in high heels. Today I’d like to the time to recognize our Straight Allies who are with us Today: they are the Green Berets of our community, providing support, encouragement, a shoulder to cry on and they’re there for you when at times your other family, sadly, is not. They are the Swiss Army Knives of the Gay Community who can handle any emergency with tact, compassion and grace: whether it’s a drag nightmare — your wig is in Toronto, you’re missing your left stiletto and your big number is on in ten and you need the cash to pay your bills this month — or you’ve been Gay bashed and then they’re the first one’s to put a comforting arm around your shoulder after you get out of the E.R. and take you to the police station to file a report: to the Men and Women who are our Straight Allies, you are some of our best advocates. I am indebted to you, and I thank you for providing the warmth and security that our community sometimes needs. We couldn’t have made it here without you.
To my peers, you have been a constant source of support and inspiration. We’ve been through so much together; through the ups and downs at our University and the gains and – at times – losses, within the LGBT community: I couldn’t have done it without you.
As we begin to venture into the world, with role models like Leonardo DaVinci, Walt Whitman, Oscar Wilde: Lower your head to no one; bow before no dignitary, let no one shame you because you are different, instead hold your head high because you are.
History has proven time and again that it’s those people who march to the beat of their own drum that change the world and I am proud to say that we’re ready to leave our mark, to make a difference and to grab the reigns as we take control of our destiny.
Before I close Today, I’d also like to take a few seconds to recognize someone who has stood up for me at every turn in life, who accepted me without question or hesitation when I came out, and who traveled a great distance to be here in the audience Today: my younger brother Sam, you’re doing pretty well for yourself kid.
To the class of 2007 we’re going to change the world, indeed we’ve made history here Today…and to the world we’re about to change, perhaps a bit of a warning: we’re fearless, and we’re coming.
“No day but Today!”
We did it!
Proposed Speech for the Lavender Ceremony
With thanks to my ever vigilant muse katancelt:
Proposed Speech
Good Afternoon Everyone, my name is Matthew Lee Schwartz. I serve as a student member on the Gender and Sexual Orientation Committee which is a board composed of some of the most dedicated people I have ever had the pleasure to work with. It has been my distinct honor to work with them to bring this ceremony to the University at Buffalo Today and it is my greater honor to address the University, our Community, All of our Families and my Peers Today as we celebrate the First Annual Lavender ceremony here at UB.
Some people questioned whether such a ceremony was necessary; in fact, many did when I first told them about it. Questions were raised, “why do you have to be separatists? Why does everything have to be a Gay issue with you people” and the answer, so simple, so succinct was provided for us by a fallen hero in the Queer community who wrote a play that rocked a generation, that transformed how people perceive us and the world around them and who brought the world of high brow theatre down to Generation X and the MTV Generation who were disillusioned with the hate and homophobia they were seeing around them:
Today is about being an us for once, instead of a them.
The man was Jonathan Larson. The play was RENT.
And while Mr, Larson passed away at 3am the day that the lights were set to go up – he was 35 – the show still went on and it gained international attention and recognition for it’s powerful, accurate portrayal of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans communities for what we are, with all of our quirks, with our faults and with our beauty. To so many who have never had contact with our community, he became an ambassador for us, introducing us to them as humans, with feelings, with lives and with history.
And like the message Jonathan Larson sent around the world, Today is a beautiful celebration of our community, of our accomplishments, of our hard work, of our solidarity with each other and the strength it took us to get to where we are Today. Looking around me Today at my peers and the audience, I’ve never seen something more beautiful or a crowd so good looking and the beauty that I’m seeing shining before me is coming from the inside out.
This event is also to honor those who paved the way for us to have the courage to come out. I can tell you from personal experience that it certainly wasn’t easy when I was outed at my High School eight years ago and I can’t begin to imagine the strength it took for those a generation before me to pick up the receiver, put a quarter in a pay phone and call their parents and say “Mom…Dad…I’m…” and you can fill in the blank with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans or other because it’s never been easy but thanks to the hard work of these dedicated activists it’s getting a lot easier. I thank you and I salute you. You’ve set a high bar and some deep footprints for us to follow in and I hope that we live up to your expectations as we enter the world around us and begin to take lead of the movement towards our liberation.
When you come out you inevitably end up with two families; one family helps you take your first footsteps as a child. Your other family helps you take your first shaky steps in high heels. Today I’d like to the time to recognize our Straight Allies who are with us Today: they are the Green Berets of our community, providing support, encouragement, a shoulder to cry on and they’re there for you when at times your other family, sadly, is not. They are the Swiss Army Knives of the Gay Community who can handle any emergency with tact, compassion and grace: whether it’s a drag nightmare — your wig is in Toronto, you’re missing your left stiletto and your big number is on in ten and you need the cash to pay your bills this month — or you’ve been Gay bashed and then they’re the first one’s to put a comforting arm around your shoulder after you get out of the E.R. and take you to the police station to file a report: to the Men and Women who are our Straight Allies, you are some of our best advocates. I am indebted to you, and I thank you for providing the warmth and security that our community sometimes needs. We couldn’t have made it here without you.
To my peers, you have been a constant source of support and inspiration. We’ve been through so much together; through the ups and downs at our University and the gains and – at times – losses, within the LGBT community: I couldn’t have done it without you.
As we begin to venture into the world, with role models like Leonardo DaVinci, Walt Whitman, Oscar Wilde: Lower your head to no one; bow before no dignitary, let no one shame you because you are different, instead hold your head high because you are.
History has proven time and again that it’s those people who march to the beat of their own drum that change the world and I am proud to say that we’re ready to leave our mark, to make a difference and to grab the reigns as we take control of our destiny.
Before I close Today, I’d also like to take a few seconds to recognize someone who has stood up for me at every turn in life, who accepted me without question or hesitation when I came out, and who traveled a great distance to be here in the audience Today: my younger brother Sam, you’re doing pretty well for yourself kid.
To the class of 2007 we’re going to change the world, indeed we’ve made history here Today…and to the world we’re about to change, perhaps a bit of a warning: we’re fearless, and we’re coming.
“No day but Today!”
We did it!