Aug 19th, 2007
“I was always a little activist…”
I just came across this Storycorps interview with Sue Hyde and her daughter, Jesse McGleughlin. Jesse, a high school freshman, talks about standing up to hurtful words among her peers, and how by speaking out about her family, she realized how she could influence people’s attitudes for the better.
Jesse’s words reflect those of many queerspawn old enough to articulate how their family experience has shaped them. In particular:
- Being sensitive to prejudice toward gay people and gay families leads to empathy for other identities that are vulnerable to prejudice.
- Being comfortable telling everyone in kindergarten about your family does not mean that it will feel the same when middle school rolls around.
Many new LGBT parents tend to think that their fearless outspoken four-year-old will always be that way. When they hear about children of gay parents becoming more cautious as they get older, these new parents look for factors that will make their own children’s experience “easier.” Too often they conclude that the parents are to blame: that they passed on internalized shame and homophobia to their children. This line of thinking asserts that their kids will sail through adolescence because their family is “out and proud.”
This interview illustrates how being out and proud does not insulate children of gay parents from the daily challenge of navigating homophobia when they are away from their out-and-proud family. For years, Sue Hyde has been a very visible staff member at a national LGBT organization. You can’t get more “out and proud” than that.
Listen to other interviews from the remarkably diverse and inclusive Storycorps Boston. A word of caution: don’t click over if you are short on time. It’s addictive.