7.31.11 Adam News & Info

I have been blessed in my life to be an ally/advocate in the LGBTQ community for many years, both personally and professionally. I appreciate, as always, the sharing of stories on our site today, and the considerations that people make regarding what to share and not to share moment by moment in their lives.

I determined early on that I was going to speak openly, honestly and consistently, allowing for a relative degree of tension regarding these issues and dilemmas. It was a "right of passage" in my family for my kids to take stands on these (and other inclusion) issues, especially on behalf of those not ready or able to speak on their own. As a result, we've been included at the level of the joy and the pain.

I have also had the important experience of some dear colleagues and dearer friends "writing me off" for LGBTQ related stands that I take. For me, that is a measurement of my effectiveness, painful though it has been. I have no regrets and have dug deeper in my resolve, the older I get. It also needs to be said that I make mistakes in the way I understand issues. Due to the trust built over time, I always get helpful feedback to be a more competent ally :-)

With the advent of Adam, I knew I could not accept the joy of "his being" without stepping up my advocacy a notch. Hence, my signing on as a volunteer to 1n10, which supports and empowers gay youth. The youth are deciding whether to tell their families about their orientation, and for some of the young people, the result is that their clothes are placed in a garbage bag on the front porch. Yet, they are among the most resilient wonderful kids on the planet.

So thanks to all off you for the happiness you bring to this site, so that Adam and each of us "can do the work" of a more fair society, while reveling in his joyous talent and the person that he is.

Below: Email from Molly at 1n10 regarding the donation I made in Adamtopia's honor (it is hard for me to ask, but if some of you can spare a few dollars, please donate online . Say "Adam sent me" in the information box. :-)

(Adam, as you recall, follows 1n10 on twitter)
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It was great to see you last night.

I did want to confirm, we received your $50.00 donation made in honor of all the fans at Adamtopia. Your support ensures we will be able to continue to enrich the lives of LGBTQ youth across the entire valley through the variety of programming we offer. Whether it is our weekly group meetings in Tempe, Phoenix and Glendale, our annual Hispanic LGBTQ Festival, our statewide LGBTQ youth leadership conference or HIV education workshops at the YEP! House (Youth Empowerment Project), your generosity makes a difference each and every day in the lives of these young people. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the next generation of LGBTQ leaders enjoys all the opportunities they deserve. That we have enjoyed so much success to date is due, in no small measure, to the generous support of community members like you. Molly

Molly@1n10.org
www.1n10.org/