This was part of a newsletter that I wrote several months back, but it is still interesting to realize.

Let me tell you It has been difficult finding good news out there related to us sexual alternatives out there. Yesterday [actually about a year ago at this point], I was looking through different papers and news briefs to catch up on events and I really felt like crying because I got so frustrated. It seems that the few initiatives that could lead to more equal treatment for us are standing on shaky ground, other initiatives to deny us basic rights are being inexplicably upheld. A Maine group opposing Gay and Lesbian rights has just named itself—quite misleadingly Vote Yes for Equal Rights. (A yes vote would actually revoke the addition of sexual orientation to their non-discrimination laws!) The Winans are singing "It's not natural", an award was revoked becuase of the recipient's involvement with ACT-UP. AAAAAAARRGHHH!

However, I did find one nice news item.

it has given us better skills

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported on a study commissioned by a consortium of state and private agencies. The study was based on a survey of 1000 adults comprising members of 400 families in the St. Paul area. Part of the Minnesota Family Strength Project, this study found that families headed by two parents of the same-sex are among the strongest and healtiest of the family structures surveyed.

While many of the gay and lesbian people surveyed reported the families they were raised in were not always ideal, it may be that since we have had to deal with so many different issues as gay and lesbian people, it has given us better skills for building our own healthier families.

This made me feel better.

By the way, check out this neat little column from a couple of years ago. It made me smile then, and still does now.