I owe so much to my mom, and the fact
that she brought me up in San Francisco. Without both, surely I would not be
the person that I am today. My childhood, though unorthodox to most, was
awesome. Parents typically take their time introducing their children to life.
There is a sheltered period that, in my opinion, can sometimes go on for too
long. Rather than sheltering me, my mother took it upon herself to take me
everywhere as if I were a small adult. She enabled me to experience different
cultures and lifestyles. When I had questions, she answered them honestly
without censorship. I am eternally grateful for that now. I would not be as
adaptive in life had it not been for her parenting choices.
Mom
At 5 years old, I remember a man
getting out of a black Porsche on Fulton Street. He was wearing a beautiful
suit and tie, carried a Louis Vuitton briefcase and wore dark aviator glasses.
What stood out to me was that he was wearing a pair of brown and white wingtip
stilettos. They looked like shoes that you would wear. I asked you why the man
was wearing girl’s shoes. You bent down eye level to me and said that people
can wear whatever shoes or clothing that they want to – so long as they feel
good about it. To make light of the situation, you asked me if I thought he
looked nice. I nodded my head and you said that you agreed. As we walked past
him, you told him that you loved his shoes. He smiled and said ‘Thanks’.
I was 7 years old when you decided to
explain why Dianne Feinstein was so important to the people of San Francisco.
Ms Feinstein had taken over after the assassination of Mayor Moscone and Harvey
Milk. You explained to me who Harvey Milk was, that he was brave, intelligent
and that he wanted everyone to be seen as equal.
When Mayor Agnos failed at helping the
overwhelming homeless population, you insisted that I treat the people sleeping
on the streets with respect and kindness. You took the time to explain to me
the many ways that people can become homeless and that they deserved respect as
human beings, just like everyone else.
Not long after that is when I began to
notice men walking hand in hand down the street and showing affection to one
another. When I commented, you explained to me then what it meant to be gay
versus straight . It was what first motivated me to study people who were
excessively tattooed, pierced or otherwise eccentric. The creatures of the
night (prostitutes) and pimps were always entertaining to watch. The people
riding the Y&M, like everyone else. You never instilled upon me that a
lifestyle was wrong or unacceptable.
You took me to events at Davies
Symphony Hall, the San Francisco Opera House, the Geary Theater, the San
Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Museo Italo Americano, the Presidio, midnight
showings of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and to the gay pride parades. You
encouraged me to eat sashimi, calamari, foie gras and oysters on the half
shell. I loved things that most children’s palettes do not respond well to. I
had become a very sophisticated child without ever realizing how extraordinary
it was. I know now that you did all of these things on purpose, and I thank
you.
Lastly, you introduced me to my
beloved San Francisco 49ers. Your season’s tickets between 82 and 92 fueled my
onsession with football. Some of my best memories were created there at
Candlestick Park.
Despite all of the mistakes I have
made – and all the challenges that you and I have faced and overcome… You did a
great Job!
I’m just sayin….
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