the r family cruise summer 2007: my last hurrah with the family pride staff
Dustin on Jul 10th 2007
(This entry was posted by Lisa Bahr, former Program & Education Associate and current cruise volunteer!)
It’s sunny, it’s bittersweet, and it’s completely fantastic! This is my first cruise. I spent Day 1 navigating my way around this colossus of a boat. I started to feel a bit seasick, so I took some pill the front desk graciously provided. Day 2 I spent in a sleepy haze, the after-effect of the seasickness medication. I’m feeling better now, but it is a little unnerving being able to feel the boat rock back and forth.
Thank goodness that yesterday morning we came back to land and docked at Port Canaveral, near the space station! Dustin, Sara and I spent the early afternoon basking in the sun and splashing in the waves at Cocoa Beach. While there, I witnessed a teachable moment that reminded me once again how important it is that LGBTQ people share their personal stories with strangers.
A lesbian couple had parked their towels next to ours and behind a family of a mom, dad and three kids. Soon, the mom started chatting to the couple about her family. She joked, “Number three was a surprise. Trust me, you girls need to be careful. Unexpected pregnancy is rough!”
The couple glanced at each other, and one said, “The cost of getting pregnant is expensive for us.” Thus began a conversation between the two families about the expense of insemination and the hardships of being same-sex parents. Through sharing their story, the lesbian couple was able to enlighten and educate. Now, when that mom and dad go vote, it is going to be that couple on Cocoa Beach that is in the back of their minds.
Now we’re back at sea and heading for Key West. I know we’re all excited to get on shore again and explore. In the meantime, I’m going to go back to enjoying the morning sun and helping out wherever I can. In fact, I see Dustin across the way, waving me over. Duty calls.
Filed in general, r family vacations, staff |
Great report, Lisa! It sounds like a really tough job, but someone’s got to do it! Good to read that one more family has connected with another and hopefully made a new ally!