Boring, it seems, but everybody is reading it and writing to me about it! Even the Christians seem to have something to say about it. [evil grin.]
More from the Questionnaire about my life:
The questionnaire asked for a brief biography. This is what was written:
I am Stephy Lee, 58-year-old catalyst for change. I am a mother and a
grandmother. I have worked for civil rights, women's rights, gay rights,
and the rights of disabled persons, all of which translate into human
rights.
Though less ambulatory than I used to be, I travel as much as I can and
keep in close touch with cherished friends and family. I live in a small
house with windows to the wide world.
I'm an encourager. I listen, read, sing, think, pray, and count my
blessings.
It asked me to describe the troubles I faces as a Lesbian in the culture of the 1970's:
Fired from my job as a bank teller (because the vice-president of the
bank where I worked was also at the first Gay Pride March. He was gay, and saw
me, and saw that I saw him).
I was unceremoniously dumped by my best friend, Christine (Gus) Schneiders, (nee Kirsch) for being "sick and perverted and unnatural" when I called to tell her I was in love. Thirty-five years later, it still hurts.
Living as a woman in a subculture is a very difficult thing. It requires
a sense of self, a spine of steel, a certain degree of courage, and a
fearlessness that hides the horror of being shunned by one's culture. I
have been beaten by strangers, verbally abused by men on the street and
in passing cars, and as I mentioned, lost a long time friend because I
love women. To sum up: I have lost jobs, been skipped over for
promotions, been battered and ridiculed. I have prevailed.
Eventually I chose to drop out of mainstream culture for
many decades, to live exclusively within the Lesbian and Gay communities.
Making my way back was a years-long journey. Only changes in my attitudes
and the attitudes of heterosexuals has made that possible. There is more
of a "Live and let live" attitude in this new Millennium, which sometimes
looks like change. Looks can be deceiving. I go more carefully now, disabled.
Before I recognized my own lesbianism, I saw my elder sister in a mature,
committed love relationship with a woman who has now been her partner for
almost fifty years. I respected these women, and their friends, a great
deal. Unlike the men I knew, these women did not paw at my body or hump
my leg like dogs, but rather, talked to me as the intelligent human being
I was. That made a good impression on me.
It next asked about children:
I have two daughters. I love them both very much. The older one, Judith,
is deceased. She was murdered by her kiddie-pornographer husband, when she stupidly told him she was calling the police on him, tomorrow. She had no tomorrow.
The younger, Katherine, is married to an Episcopal minister. I have a 12-year-old
grandson named Timmy. He has bright red hair and a new puppy. He is
cute as a button. He is smart, he sings, he plays piano. He has a very
busy life, and seems to enjoy it immensely. He loves to travel. His mere existence fills my heart with joy.
I was also an active participant in raising my nephew from ages 2½ - 18.
He is a decent, kind human being, an Eagle Scout with Vigil Honors.
I'm very proud of him. He gives me hope for the world. His mother, my
sister Sylvia, has been my lifelong friend. I expect he will be also.
