article of note (issues close to my heart)



By Jessica Geen, March 9, 2009 - London


Around 30 parents who took their children out of an east London primary school to protest against them being taught about gay, lesbian and trans relationships may be prosecuted.

Waltham Forest Council has said that the parents at George Tomlimson School in Leytonstone will face action over the unauthorised absence, although it did not say confirm what sanctions will be taken.

The school held a week of special lessons to commemorate LGBT History Month to educate children about non-heterosexual relationships.

Pupils watched an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet retitled Romeo and Julian and read stories such as one about two male penguins falling in love.

However, parents complained that the content of the lessons was not suitable for primary school pupils, with some informing the school in advance that their children would be absent.

A spokesman from the council said: "As part of the borough's policy of promoting tolerance in our schools, children are taught that everyone in our society is of equal value.

"Parents were invited to meet with teachers and governors several weeks ago to discuss what work would be taking place throughout the national LGBT History Month, and how this work would be delivered.

"Regrettably, some parents chose to remove their children from school. We are not aware of pupils being withdrawn from any other school in the borough.

"The council does not condone any unauthorised absence from school and action has been taken."
Pervez Latif, whose two children attend the school, told the Daily Mail: "I didn't want my children to be learning about this.

"I found it difficult to explain topics such as homosexual relationships at such a young age. If I am faced with court action, then I will just explain that these are my views."

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|My Turn|




My therapist tells me that the percentage of Asian people who have Bipolar Disorder is smaller than other ethnicities. Then she asks, of course, “How does that make you feel?”

There’s a 0.0026% chance that someone will be Asian, Female, Gay, and have Bipolar Disorder. My name is Lisa. It’s nice to meet you. Asians comprise 4.4% of the U.S. population. Only 1% of people have Bipolar Disorder. Twelve percent of people are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender. My gender means that each slice is further cut in half.

I am a multiple minority member. I’ve got two chips on one shoulder, two on the other. I am cornered at least once a day by one stigma or another, no matter how many stereotypes I break. I had to come out of the closet. Twice.

I am a happy person. I see in all colors. I can talk to anyone (including myself). I have more than one home. Judging others has no point at all. I am interlocking circles, a hub, a seer.

My weaknesses are the scars from being depressed and angry, cat hair covering every surface, and being secured to my soapbox like outdoor tables to a New York City sidewalk. At times, I am self-involved.

To remedy this, I reach outward toward my people: the outsiders, the freaks, the misunderstood, the square pegs, the different drummers, and the “next to normal”. I am writing this because I don’t want anyone, anywhere, anymore to feel they are alone. I am telling the truth about myself, how I've come to terms with my different identities, and what I am learning from the journey. I hope that in doing so, someone out there will learn they have a voice, may similarly start a journey, and may access the inspiration I’ve gotten from the diverse people and events that have moved me, taught me, and kept me alive.
 





So, back to the question, “How does that make you feel?” regarding having one more minority status. No different. I count what have become my blessings, five times strong. There’s one thing I do need: to meet that one other Asian Gay Female Bipolar soul. The diner in which we’d meet would have to be a 24-hour one. More than one of you out there? Now that’s a party!

Until then, I’ve found my life’s passion in creating a shared table, party, community, and safe space online for all of us. Please come find yourself here, as well as NextToNormal.org (the new musical about Bipolar Disorder that is showing, thus saving, my life) and then…

Shine on!

 
LISA: So, tell me, what's your life like now that you're a multi-million dollar mega-star?

Lisa: Huh?
 
LISA: Oh, great... [slowly] What-is-your-life-like-now-that-you-are-a-big-star?

Lisa [slowly]: Ha-ha-that-is-a-good-one.  [laughs]  Look, buddy, you got the wrong person here.  I'm a counselor making $8.50/hour.  I'm a college student in a sign language interpreting program.  If people stopped me for my autograph, I would have to ask who they think I am, so I can be sure to sign that name.  I dress like this all the time; this isn't my "let's-create-the-image-of-comfort-for-this-interview-so-
I-seem-like-a-real-person" outfit.  I'm not a star; I'm just me.

LISA: Then why am I interviewing you?

Lisa: Because I am a real person.  You know, I don't have to be famous for me to be worth knowing.
 
LISA: So, you're not in the least bit famous? 

Lisa: Well, I won the SureSave Supermarket's Traffic Safety essay contest grand prize in the 4th grade and got my picture in the paper and–
 
LISA: Uhh, okay, let's just move on to our questions... What are you doing to make the world a better place?

Lisa: Well, aside from my winning essay about safe bike-riding... wow, you don't mess around, do you? 
 
LISA: Favorite color.

Lisa: Blue.
 
LISA: Now, what are you doing to make the world a better place?

Lisa: I'm a counselor in a group home for Deaf, mentally-challenged adults, a student in an American Sign Language/English interpreting program, a volunteer for NYC's gay pride organization, I'm a giving friend, a committed girlfriend, and a good daughter. 
 
LISA: Favorite soap.

Lisa: Irish Spring. 
 
LISA: What do you think of the gun control versus the right to bear arms issue?

Lisa: I'm for gun control.  It's scary how quickly a life can end, with just a millimeter movement of a finger.  That's way too much power to put in the hands of angry or sad people.
 
LISA: Favorite dog.

Lisa: Pug.
 
LISA: Where are you from?

Lisa: Hawaii, born and raised.
 
LISA: Do you surf?

Lisa: No and I don't hula I don't climb coconut trees next question.
 
LISA: What the hell are you doing in NYC?

Lisa: I tried to run away from myself, wanted to start anew.  ’Course I still made the same mistakes, just in a different place.  But, I have learned and I have matured -- in the only way I really know how, and that's by being forced to.  Here, I met so many different people and encountered so many situations that I couldn't help but change. 

LISA: Favorite quote?

Lisa: "Do what you like, like what you do, life is good." and "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.  Carpe diem: seize the day." 
 
LISA: Any of them tattooed in interesting places?

Lisa: No tattoos.  Maybe a little symbol someday on my upper arm, but 11-word long quotes needled into my midline?  Oooh, no thank you, favorite or not.
 
LISA: What's the last movie you saw in the theater?

Lisa: Very few movies I'll pay $9.50 to see, but I knew Girl, Interrupted would be worth it.   Afterwards, I felt this strange, quiet need to be alone with my thoughts.  It's like I was pulled into that world and was still there when I left my seat.  How unnerving it was then, to be stuck standing in line for the bathroom and having to hear about some girl's bad hair day, when I was trying to contemplate what determines if we are sane or insane.
 
LISA: So, which are you?

Lisa: I have no excuse not to be sane.  I am the luckiest person I know.  I have what I need.  I even get what I want.  But, not having an excuse to be insane, or even unhappy -- that's a lot of pressure and, sometimes, that makes me a little insane, because sometimes I am unhappy.  I don't know if you can understand that.  There's a quote that goes, "You people who grew up rich have it just as hard as those of us who grew up poor.  We spend our whole lives trying to prove to other people that we're worth something; you have to prove it to yourselves."  Proof of my worth is hard to come by when there's nothing to battle. 
 
LISA: Favorite clothing line?

Lisa: Comfortable -- my brand name of choice.
 
LISA: Favorite book?

Lisa: The Outsiders, since the 5th grade.
 
LISA: Singer and song?

Lisa: Sarah McLachlan; her "Angel"  
 
LISA: Play and musical?

Lisa: Angels in America and "RENT"
 
LISA: Poem?

Lisa: "Nothing Gold Can Stay" by Robert Frost; it's quoted in The Outsiders.

LISA: Favorite joke?

Lisa: Oh, you can't print it.
 
LISA: Aha, a naughty one, huh?

Lisa: No, it's completely innocent and goofy.  It just needs to be said aloud to appreciate the goof.             
 
LISA: You're a goof.

Lisa: I am.
 
LISA: Are you innocent?

Lisa: I am.

LISA: Go to church every Sunday?

Lisa: I don't do religion, no thank you very much.  I don't believe in God.  I believe in the power of my own mind and my own spirit.  I believe in science and proof.  "Mulder, it's me Scully."
 
LISA: So, if you don't go to church every Sunday, what do you do for fun?

Lisa: Throw stones at glass houses.  No, simple things.  I'm not into wild.  My ideal is a walk in Central Park on the first warm day of Spring, a 24-hour diner, a coffee shop where they let you sit all night, silly board games, rental movies for a Saturday night in.
 
LISA: No S&M, huh?

Lisa: No, not that there's anything wrong with that!  But, I'm more of an M&M girl.  With nuts. 
 
LISA: Favorite taste, smell, touch, sight, sound?

Lisa: Italian food, brewing coffee, fluffy kitten, first daffodils of Spring, anyone's laughter.
 
LISA: Well, that about wraps it up.  Can I have your autograph?

Lisa: Sure.  [signs, "To Lisa, Love Lisa.  Take care of yourself."]
 
LISA: Thank you very much for talking to me.

Lisa: No problem, I talk to myself all the time.
 
LISA: See ya around.

Lisa: Well, gee... I hope so!


__________________________________

a few updates, as of Oct. 2008:

I'm a writer, poet, artist, and interpreter.  I am single, certifiably insane, and movies are no longer $9.50.
My favorite musical is "Next to Normal" and along with that comes my favorite singer, Alice Ripley.
I wish I could report that I've since learned to climb coconut trees, but alas... no.

and other quotes that have come into my life:

"People who think they are happy just haven't thought about it enough."

"Let the clouds roll in, let the rain arrive,
let the storm rage on, the sun will survive
and you don't have to be happy at all
to be happy you're alive."

(both by Brian Yorkey, music by Tom Kitt for "Next to Normal", the musical)

      (click on photos)


   writer                                                                 "Passing With Pen"



    poet (A-side)



    poet (B-side)                                              "Passing With Poem"



    lyricist                                                            "Passing With Guitar"



    photographer                                                "Passing With Camera"



    artist (A-side)



    artist (B-side)                                              "Passing With Paintbrush"



    activist                                                          "Passing With Passion"



    website designer



    website 2



    t-shirt designer



    quote-gatherer



    dream-driver

“Don't tell me not to live, just sit and putter
Life's candy and the sun's a ball of butter
Don't bring around a cloud to rain on my parade
Don't tell me not to fly, I simply got to
If someone takes a spill, it's me and not you
Who told you you're allowed to rain on my parade
I'll march my band out, I'll beat my drum
And if I'm fanned out, your turn at bat, sir
At least I didn't fake it, hat, sir
I guess I didn't make it
But whether I'm the rose of sheer perfection
A freckle on the nose of life's complexion
The cinder or the shiny apple of its eye
I gotta fly once, I gotta try once
Only can die once, right, sir?
Ooh, life is juicy, juicy and you see
I gotta have my bite, sir
Get ready for me love, ’cause I'm a ‘comer’
I simply gotta march, my heart's a drummer
Don't bring around the cloud to rain on my parade

I'm gonna live and live now!
Get what I want, I know how!
One roll for the whole shebang!
One throw, that bell will go clang
Eye on the target and wham,
One shot, one gun shot and bam
Hey, world, here I am!

I'll march my band out, I’ll beat my drum
And if I'm fanned out, your turn at bat, sir
At least I didn't fake it, hat, sir
I guess I didn't make it
Get ready for me love, ’cause I'm a ‘comer’
I simply gotta march, my heart's a drummer
Nobody, no, nobody, is gonna rain on my parade!”           



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