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Hello there to my loyal 7 followers!

WELL, do I have some stories for you.
Agenda:
1) PRIDE

-Went wonderful! I made 800$ for HRC. I met the most amazing people and had a fantastic time.
One of my favorite things that happened to me all day, was when I met the two gentleman couple who had shirts on of their wedding rings, and hands. It gave the date in which they got engaged. I stopped them, and they both told me they were already members. However, in talking to me they told me that they wanted to give me an extra special pride one time donation. I began asking them about their shirts, and they told me they hadn't gotten married yet. HOWEVER, NOW that marriage is legal in NYC they want to move there, get married and start a family. Is that not wonderful?

I also met a transgender woman. She gave me lots of hugs, and told me that the work I was doing, was fantastic! She was excited about her new drivers license and showed it to me. :0) She was a truck driver for years and years, and was in the military. Commanding officer. I did not feel it right to go into too much detail in asking lots of questions about herself, but I kept bumping into her at the festival, and would get hugs all over.
These are the kinds of things that make me keep wanting to do this job.

All in all, pride was amazing.

BEFORE PRIDE:
Two people from a bigger office, direct workers of HRC came in and told us a story.
A lesbian couple was on vacation with their two kids, in Florida. They were out having a great time on a boat, when one of the mothers suffered a brain aneurism. She was rushed to the hospital in Florida. Despite having all the necessary paper work, her partner was refused access to see her. She was told to her face, "You are in an Anti Gay town, in an Anti Gay state." 
You think this is really sad right? It only gets better from here:
Her wife died. Alone. In a hospital in Florida. The best part? They could not take this case to court, because their is no law that states otherwise.
This bill is SO important. These are real people with real stories. This is why, if you see one of the HRC canvassers, STOP and listen.
The days following pride have been great too.

TODAY
I was made a Field Manager today! I guess this is a good thing. It must mean that they like what they see in me. I am striving to be a great canvasser. I want to make a Chicago Hot night one day. That is 700$. That would be SO amazing for HRC!

Today was difficult. Their was a lot of hate on the street. I felt so bad for one of my crew members today. A woman, who was walking away from her, turned around after hearing her greeting of "Hey sir, do you have one minute for gay rights?" This woman was SHOCKED at what she heard..."GET OFF the STREET RIGHT NOW young LADY!" 
It was like she couldn't believe her ears. As though, this is some new concept or something.
We also had a little trouble with some hobo's taunting us. A milk crate kind of got waved and almost thrown at this poor girl.

GOOD things:
foot note: I ran into my good friend Robbie! He walked passed me. It was great to see him. I got a nice hug from him. :0)
I got to meet an ER doc from New Zeland that gave me 40$. He moved from Chicago to there, and told me I should move there. I just might. It sounded pretty nice out there. Beautiful weather, nice people and nice jobs. Why not? Maybe I could work for HRC in New Zeland! OR: Maybe My Music will take off, and I can do a tour over there!!! 

The BEST meeting was a board or counsel member ( cant remember his title) OF HRC! Basically, he is kind of a big Cheese and works for HRC. We had lots in common. For example, he is Episcopal, like me. He also works at the same church that I was baptized at. He sent me an email directly from his Iphone, which I responded, just before posting this blog.

Hopefully, ill have some updates about the status of this bill. Up until now, I hated politics. I still hate politics, but now I am much more educated about things, and this is something that is so important. I CANT STRESS how much I care about this, and how much passion I have for these people and stories and lives.
Again, that is why I started this blog. I think that their are so much more stories out there, if only we could all have a place to share our stories!
Well dear, and darling followers. It is now about 10:37. I have another LONG and FUN day of canvassing ahead of me. I love the work that I do, and all of you for reading. Reading means caring. That is all we need in this world, is more people to GIVE A SHIT, and just take a little time to do something nice.

SO, to all of the wonderful and nice people who made me smile today while I was out there. Thank you. It is the people like you, that give me the fuel to keep doing what I do. 

GO HRC and GO EDNA BILL!!
Love,
Gracie Lou