Thank God!!!

I am just a mom that loves her kids, loves her hubs, loves her family and loves her friends (FRAMILY!)

Recently I received an email from a person that I have known for many years - a person I communicate with on a regular basis and have a friendly relationship with. But when I opened this email I was brought to tears. The information it presented was hurtful, directly affecting my family and friends. Statements were made in this email that were completely false, much like the YES on 8 propaganda (read lies) we were all subjected to. I wrote what I felt was a kind and gentle response to the sender of the email with a 'reply all' because there were many people on the distribution list receiving this inaccurate information including at least one other person that is the parent of a gay child.

My intent in responding to the email was to gently remind folks that misinformation is hurtful, that my family and I were hurt by the words, the tone, the inaccuracies and the judgment in the text of the message.

I don't know why I was surprised when I have received a less than kind message from one of the 'reply all' folks - a response that was in fact judgemental, misinformed and ignorant on so many levels. And yet, the writer claims to be a loving Christian.

I have included the emails here, leaving out the names of the two people that sent them.I have posted them exactly as they came to me. Typos and misspelled words etc. Read them for yourself.

Once again I thank God that in His wisdom he gave Dylan to David and me to love and raise. He is a blessing in our lives. I am so very grateful that Dylan was not born into the 'loving Christian home' of the person that responded to my email.

I will continue to stand up for what is right, accept and love others, speak boldly and provide support and protection when necessary. It is what I do. It is what I was put on this earth to do. And I will continue to do it as long as have a brain that functions. You betcha.

Original Email I received:
Please pass this on.....
I called and got a busy signal and immediately redialed and got a busy signal, but on the 3rd redial, I got right in. Take a moment and vote. It took me 30 seconds or less
_________________
Hi Friends,
Gov. Schwarzenegger is being pressured more from all sides to sign this bill.
If signed, SB 572 would pressure every California public school to have an official Harvey Milk Day promoting the homosexual, bisexual, and transsexual agenda to children as young as kindergarten. The sky is the limit on what a school considers suitable commemorative exercises. This is written so broadly, SB 572 could allow gay-pride parades on campus, cross-dressing, and homosexual marriage dramas, etc. It all going to come down to how much pressure California 's governor feels. Remember, last year the Democrat-controlled Legislature passed Harvey Milk Gay Day, but Schwarzenegger vetoed it.
This year, Schwarzenegger is being lobbied more heavily by homosexual activists. Sean Penn, who played Harvey Milk on the big screen, and Milk's homosexual activist nephew, have both personally lobbied Schwarzenegger to ask him to sign SB 572. Other differences from last year is that there are four more Democrats in the Assembly voting for Harvey Milk Gay Day. And for the first time, a Republican, Senator Abel Maldonado, is supporting this anti-traditional family value bill.
This call will only take about 30 seconds to complete.
Call Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at 916-445-2841. Listen to the recorded message and press in the following order:
1 (English)
2 (legislation)
1 (SB572)
2 (against)


My Response to the sender:
Hi ___!

I hope you have had a wonderful summer!! Are you ready for the new school year? The beginning of school seems to come earlier and earlier every year! I really do miss all of you and all of the hustle and bustle of the school site!

I love getting your emails, and hope you will continue to send me your stories and jokes and important info. However, this particular email was hurtful to me personally and to my family. I know it was not your intention to hurt anyone, but sadly, it has. To begin with, much of what is stated in the email is false. But on a more personal level, I have a gay son whom I love very much. I am very proud of him and the person that he is and look forward to what he will bring to our world in the future. My hope and prayer is that one day our society will accept him the same way I accept him. David and I love and support ALL of our children 100% regardless of their political beliefs, their faith, their gender, their sexual orientation etc. So when I read false information that directly affects a member of my family and ultimately hurts my entire family, well, it just makes me sad.

This wasn't the first time and it certainly won't be the last time our family is hurt out of ignorance. And many times I just let it go. But this email affects more people than just me and my family - There is at least one other parent of a gay child that I know of on this email's address list. And that is what compelled me to write this note to you.

Love ya ___, take care, and have a wonderful first day of school!
smoochies,
Beckie


Response from someone on the distribution list:
Beckie:
I don't know who you are. I don't know why you felt the need to send me an
email that you send to ____, my mother. I'm highly offended you send this to
me and all the others at my mothers expense. If you were only interested in
responded to ____ you would have done that, but you sent it to everyone and
that tells me what kind of person you really are. I am sick & tired of gay being
shoved down my throat at every turn in life. I HAVE NO PROBLEM with
peoples choices in life, just don't involve me or my loved ones or innocent children.
I am a Christian and believe in God's Word all the way back to the Old Testament.
He clearly states in black & white what it was to be then and now, what was right
and wrong. That way no one could say it is confusing. It was the same when he
had scripture wrote as to now, it never changes. I'm with a lot of people who want
schools to be concerned with teaching the basics, not anyone's beliefs or lifestyles
of choices. Basically leave our children alone. There is enough horrible stuff in this
world and a young mind is impressionable. There is nothing ignorant about knowing
what it right & what is wrong, try to explain it all you want, have all the excuses
and it is what it is, all the stuff I've read and tried to get my brain around, I've seen
and heard both sides and it just doesn't work. Maybe it works in your life and that
is great, we're happy for you, but don't try and tell me you are not an angry
woman by the words in your email, I'm just sorry you felt the need to drag me
into this. Like others who drag us into and won't leave it alone. Have your choices, stop
with putting it in our faces in every aspect of life. Love your child leave the rest of us alone
and don't preach what is ignorant, because a lot of us have looked at all sides
and we know the truth.

Before I was a quite person and especially about God. Now days I stand up and tell people
how I feel because, they obviously have no problem with shouting their beliefs and I'm tired
of seeing what this country has come to. So now I speak of God and his grace and love
speak out when people try and to change my government, society & morals just because it
suits their life style.

I will be nice, since you attacked me. I will only send this back to you not everyone.
I will pray for you & your family, because you really aren't okay with the way things
are for yourself & family.


Thank You
_______