I guess this qualifies as personal activism in my little corner of the world!

[Vanessa White]

I am believing it more and more, one on one is the way to go, at least for me. At times, that has felt like hardly an impact, envisioning only changing one mind. But, I am thinking about it a bit differently now. If, that mind can be shifted just a bit, opened a bit more, then that slightly more open mind will speak to another mind, and so on...... so the influence passes on anyway. In our new resolve to create some change locally, Mia and I are following that philosophy of one person at a time. Anyone here ever seen the movie "Pay it Forward"? I am showing it to my class that I teach in a couple of weeks, as it relates to serving others with an open heart. That is about one person at a time, reaching out, helping, educating, embracing.

It is all about the human connection. And that is SOOOOOOOOOO up my alley. I love realizing, exploring, and creating relationships. It is one of the most invigorating things for me, to connect with others and work through issues and find out about one another.

[Gennee]

You handled yourself very well, Vanessa. Stating your position in an intelligent and professional manner goes a long way. Professionalism scores points and the fact that you stuck to your beliefs is to be commended. Well done.

Gennee

[Vanessa White]

It has been almost two years since I found this sacred place, and I do mean, sacred. I feel a loss when I cannot visit here for one reason or another. I feel closer to many of my friends here than I do out here in my 3D world.

I think I had a type of revelation over the weekend. I helped to conduct a training at my University on Friday for the ALLY group. As I was presenting, which was the fourth time I had done so for the group, I explained as I began that my presentation would be a bit different, because I am constantly learning and evolving, and therefore, my perspective is a bit different each time.

I finally understand, that the more firm and confident and loving I feel about the lesbian part of my overall identity, the stronger, more peaceful of an advocate I am able to be. So, even though I don't want to face the nasty type of oppression and dogma that I know that I will face in my adult lifetime, I feel so ready to face up against it with peace, compassion, and awareness, because no matter what, IT CANNOT SHAKE MY FOUNDATION OF LOVE OF MYSELF AND THE LOVE OF MY GOD.

What a sense of relief that brings!

[BenL]

Originally Posted by Vanessa White

I finally understand, that the more firm and confident and loving I feel about the lesbian part of my overall identity, the stronger, more peaceful of an advocate I am able to be. So, even though I don't want to face the nasty type of oppression and dogma that I know that I will face in my adult lifetime, I feel so ready to face up against it with peace, compassion, and awareness, because no matter what, IT CANNOT SHAKE MY FOUNDATION OF LOVE OF MYSELF AND THE LOVE OF MY GOD.

What a sense of relief that brings!

I'm trying so hard to get where you are, Vanessa. I'm such a wuss in the real world. I'm always afraid of being outted. I fear unpleasant encounters. I'm so much braver here in the Soulforce community.

I have grown a lot. At least at church now I'm willing to ID as gay. I teach a spirituality course, and more and more of the participants know I'm gay, and it doesn't seem to make any difference to them. That's such a relief. But I'm so reluctant to come out at work. I've only been there 38 years. Maybe pretty soon I'll have been there long enough not to care anymore.