tully satre

I would continually direct you to the younger sister sight which now hosts my thoughts but I believe it should be, by now, ingrained—if only. But of course, I cannot fail to provide for those whose curiosity is sparked simply because your previous opportunity was otherwise distracted. The Aiden Project gleans the not-so-daily pictures of other’s lives through my own.

I can not [and will not or otherwise refuse to] lose touch with that political thread that is so brilliantly sewn within our lives. It pains me to hear how many people turn their head at me in question: “Who is Nancy Pelosi?” It puts knots in my stomach. I recall a time during an EMS training course when the instructor was covering some basic questions we could ask patients to determine how “with it” they are at the time. She made it very clear that asking who the current President of the United States is would be completely out of the question. Why? Because too many people (shamefully) do not know who our president is.

While we are on the topic of presidents I must mention the premature race. (Well, not so much now as it was before.) The first caucus is around the corner and I am sweating at any mention of a certain individual’s name. When asked who I will cast my first vote for during the ‘08 elections I simply reply: “Neither a Republican, nor a Clinton.” (As for the complete dismissal of Clinton, I can provide a full account as to why I say this to any person who asks nicely.) My father told me he has not voted for anyone since he voted for Reagan. Since then he has constantly voted against candidates, constantly choosing the lesser of two evils.

The more and more I hear of the ideals of Ron Paul, the more he grows on me, but what are his chances? I do not see him making it past these primary stages and what a shame it would be for our country to lose a chance at such true fighting spirit to give freedoms back to the people. Of course, that is too good to be true but I will not sacrifice hope for settlement.

Regardless of who the candidates turn out to be, I will cast a vote; I just do not see myself casting a vote for any one person. My basic rule of friendship still stands strong: if you do not vote, you are no friend of mine.

Sitting back at my desk in Culpeper, Virginia brings back memories. As I drove back from the airport in D.C. to my hometown in rural Virginia I recounted the times I spent working towards social change for the LGBT community in the Fauquier/Culpeper area. Though it was not long ago that I had done those things it seems like a lifetime since it has happened.

My life in Chicago has been drastically different and nostalgic in itself. Wrapping back into a world of art has been rejuvenating and has allowed me to be content in my studies.

However, I will - both as an artist and as an American citizen - consistently keep myself informed and involved in some manner in the political world.

Taking up my more recent posting with the Windy City Times has allowed me to experience some of Chicago's political scene and learn more about the political process in Illinois. I feel like I am starting over again, learning from the ground up and making what small difference I can with words. Though I have no intentions of taking the lead in LGBT politics, it is my every wish that the words I write every week have some small part to play in planting the seeds for our community's brighter future.

Several of you know that I have been attending school in Chicago up to this point though my plans have changed slightly. I am in the process of transferring to a different school (though still in Chicago) with a little more eclecticism and necessary freedom in terms of being an art student. I have also established a more permanent residency downtown and have moved out of a dorm and into an apartment. I could not have said three months ago as I left Virginia that I would not be returning as anything but a visitor. Signing my first lease was, perhaps, one of the most awakening points in my life. Being burnt by politics and driven by words, I move towards those greater more precious things in life that will be evermore fulfilling.

Check out my latest articles in this week's Windy City Times

• Illinois civil-unions push: Illinois is on its way to becoming the first state in the Midwest to grant federal protections to same-sex couples. Read full story online.
  
  
• Trans community holds vigil: Illinois Gender Advocates held its eighth annual Transgender Day of Remembrance with a candlelight vigil at the Center on Halsted. Read full troy here.

Last weekend I attended a Youth HIV/AIDS forum on the Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago addressing the inflation of HIV infection among youth in Illinois. The statistics were absolutely startling and rather disturbing. It appears that several schools today, due largely to our conservative and sex-fearing government, retain abstinence-only health education programs which lack sufficient information about HIV prevention.

The fact of the matter is that young people today are the offspring of a demographic that underwent a sexual revolution. Sexuality is a much more comfortable and open subject but remains blacklisted when it comes to education in public schools. It is in the best interest of students today to learn the cold hard facts: abstinence is the only way to prevent HIV transmission; however, many students are sexually active regardless.

According to statistics released during the forum almost half of the students in grades 9-12 have been or are currently sexually active. None of these students have learned about preventing HIV and STDs by using a condom and many do not have access to condoms should they need one. Therefore, many of these students play their invincibility factor and decide on a whim that they don't need a condom and that HIV/AIDS is a thing of the past. This has led to a startling increase in HIV infections among youth in Illinois and is becoming a large problem for health organizations.

The forum addressed these issues and I was there to cover the story for the Windy City Times:

The Illinois Department of Public Health ( IDPH ) released staggering statistics about the escalating numbers of HIV-infected youth in the state. The Children’s Place Association, a Chicago-based provider of care to Illinois HIV/AIDS-infected children and families, held a forum to address the IDPH data.

Medical experts, policy makers and leading Illinois HIV/AIDS youth specialists convened on Nov. 9 at the Chicago InterContinental Hotel, 505 N. Michigan, to discuss solutions.

The data shows a 60 percent increase in Illinois HIV infections among youths under the age of 24—with a 100 percent increase among males alone—since 2000...

Read the full article online at WindyCityMediaGroup.com.

As many of you know I was recently given the opportunity to stretch my freelance with the Windy City Times, the first gay publication in the City of Chicago. Last week I was given my first assignment. Equality Illinois alongside the Gay Liberation Network and various trans-activists came together and organized a rally during Rep. Nancy Pelosi's Chicago visit last Friday. My editor placed me on the story and I soon found myself outside the Westin Hotel across from the Hancock Building on the Magnificent Mile.

Although I was expecting the provocative signs that members of the rally held with pride outside the hotel, I didn't expect to see Pelosi...

Read the article online at WindyCityMediaGroup.com or pick up a copy at newsstands around Chicago.

It looks like Virginia wants to upkeep its rather amusing - if not ridiculous - reputation for pointless legislation. I think Prince William County ("PWC") has made it very clear to Virginia that we will continue to baffle the nation with headlines like "Va. county approves toughest crackdown on illegal immigrants." (AP). How very comforting to know that our local legislators (and our state legislators for that matter on a number of other issues) are more concerned with political distractions than they are with the real issues. Aside from the obvious and often accounted for concern for "defining" civil rights, Virginia also chooses to look the other way when it comes to issues that matter.

After what the AP describes as "one of the nation's toughest local crackdowns on illegal immigration," unanimously passed by PWC lawmakers, Robert Stephens, a Manassas citizen, brilliantly summarized the racist argument against immigration,"Where do you get off demanding services, rights and mandatory citizenship? Who invited you? You cry for your rights? You have none." Mr. Stephens, I hate to bring up a little first grade history lesson but if I recall correctly, no one called for a European invasion to destroy thousands of Native villages and torment (to this day) the people whose country we invaded. Don't be so quick to point the finger when we have history screaming in our shadow.

Alas, Virginians have never been known to cater to those who cried for their rights as many are well aware from last year's election (Marriage anyone?) - As the rest of the country turns in their seats at the latest headlines from my home state, Virginians suffer from the bitter taste of blood in their mouth from biting their tongue once again.

Read the full story online.

Commentary exclusively for The Advocate: "Religion is Our Friend." Being gay and religious are not not mutually exclusive, argues a young writer who should know.

By Tully Satre.

A recent discussion with a friend of mine ended in a bitter disagreement. I believe religion can play a positive role in advancing the rights of American citizens in general, in particular gays and lesbians. He, on the other hand, believes that not only is organized religion mainly responsible for the inferiority of the gay community in the world, but that gay people as a rule cannot call themselves religious.

Organized religion (note: for the purpose of this article organized religion and spirituality will be considered one in the same) has obviously played an important role in the history of humanity, both positively and negatively. Commercialized holidays such as Christmas and Halloween are based on ancient pagan traditions that were later spun into the Christian calendar. Countries waged wars against each other over religious differences; some of these still go on today. In Northern Ireland, Protestant-Catholic relations remain edgy. On the positive side, people such as the Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa, and Pope John Paul II have transcended their religious affiliations to make an impact on diverse communities. In fact, most people don’t know that the Roman Catholic Church is the world's largest charitable organization, providing services to the poor and sick around the globe...

Read full article online.

Although the article only touches upon the surface of religion and the gay community it is a simple statement. The gay community can work in conjunction with the religious community and it is no wrong thing when the two cross over. In fact, it should be revered when the religious community responds in favor for our own.

There are shameful walls built between people because of religion. Too often one hears of the feuding of friends and lovers or the warring of countries over simple disagreements in religion. It is because of this that much of the world suffers today and in a smaller scale that many people lose the opportunity for a fruitful friendship. I have several friends who believe that homosexual actions are sinful and that homosexuality is not a choice; however, this does not hinder our ability to have a healthy friendship. Though some of my closest friends and I disagree on political matters we transcend these petty separations and find common ground in our own passions. One of the saddest things that a person can do is sacrifice their friendship on superficial disagreements.

Read the latest in The Advocate online: Religion is Our Friend.

My meeting with Andrew Davis, the editor of Chicago's Windy City Times, went very well. After several conversations about my own writing and my style he decided that both would be an appropriate fit for the paper and that he would like to give it a shot. Chicagoans can look forward to some of my own writing appearing in local print around the city.

Rep. Jo Ann Davis, whose district fell within the limits of Fauquier County, one of the two counties covered by Equality Fauquier/Culpeper, passed away this morning in her home in Gloucester, Virginia. Throughout my work with Equality Fauquier/Culpeper as the executive director I had had a few run-ins with Rep. Davis over our disagreements on the civil liberties of the gay community.

Despite these disagreements, I admire Rep. Davis for some of the things she accomplished during her lifetime. She was one of the first female Republican to be elected to Congress from the Commonwealth of Virginia and she continued to add strength to Virginia's woman as an advocate for finding a cure for cancer.

Though I have little else to say to compliment her career as a politician I wish to express my deepest sympathies to her loved ones.

According to an article from the Associated Press, "The governor will schedule a special election, probably before the end of the year, to fill the remaining year of Davis' term, Kaine spokeswoman Delacey Skinner said." One might be curios as to the affect this may have on that particular seat and how it might affect the future of Congress if in the slightest of ways, especially considering the upcoming Presidential election.

Read more details online with the Associated Press.

On another note...

My studies here in Chicago continue to take up most of time. I try to make regular updates to my online Chicago novella, The Aiden Project, though such time is hard to come by. I have a meeting next week with the editor of the Windy City Times, the "voice of Chicago's gay, lesbian, bi and trans community since 1985." Interest has been expressed in the possibility of my writing for the local paper. Among other things, a new and brief article that touches on the gay community and religion will be posted on The Advocate's website next week.

Though I rarely worked with Cheryl it was always a joy when I did. I can remember only a few times that I spoke with her in the past before she started battling with leukemia. Cheryl is one person that I never had the opportunity to thank for all the tremendous work she did for our community, not just in D.C./Virginia, but in the nation. She made a positive impact on this world and left the world having made it a better place than when she found it. Although I was not particularly close to Cheryl, many of my colleagues were - my heart goes out to them during this time. Cheryl is the type of person that I strive to become at some point in my life. She was not afraid to show her emotion and in that she was an amazing activist because of her honesty.

The Washington Blade reports: "The Washington gay community lost a beloved friend this week with the Tuesday death of lesbian activist and archivist Cheryl Ann Spector. She was 49.

"Spector was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia June 29 and was hospitalized for 10 weeks during which she underwent two rounds of chemotherapy. She died Tuesday at George Washington University Hospital.

"A private funeral service for family and close friends will be held Sunday. A public memorial service will take place Sept. 30, though place and time had not been determined by press time."


Thank You Cheryl Spector for making my life as a gay youth easier.

Read more online about Cheryl Spector:

• The Washington Blade - Beloved local activist succumbs to cancer.
  
• The Advocate - D.C. activist Cheryl Ann Spector dies.
  

As promised, I am passing along the link to my Chicago blog. To all of you lovely ladies and gentleman I extend an invitation to read a new writing project which will develop into a brief novella of my Chicago musings. A life of art, occasional coffee breaks with random meetings and a bonsai tree; I am sure you will find something to remark upon in the coming year. I welcome you to The Aiden Project: http://aidenproject.blogspot.com. I leave tomorrow morning for the Windy City, a brief eleven hour drive and a move-in to the thirteenth floor on State Street.

Note: Some people have asked me if I am abandoning my political blog here and the answer is NO! I will continue to comment on specific political issues and will, as always, keep you posted about published articles. I look forward to continuing political commentary and striking good conversation.

I’m always prone to making an apology for failing to provide any updates of my life and work for long periods of time; however, there has been so much change this summer that I haven’t had a golden opportunity to put it into words (nor will this be one of justice.)

As you can see, I cut my hair. I decided it was time to get rid of the long locks and have them serve a better cause. I think this summer has been very revealing of my character. I have grown tremendously as an artist and I will continue to kindle that muse as I move my studies to Chicago where I will be attending the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.

Come August 24th I will be moving downtown on State Street in the windy city. A lot of people have judged my decision to leave Virginia saying that I am abandoning the work I have started. First of all I would like to point out that the work I started in Virginia continues and lives on through the many dedicated and hard-working individuals and groups who worked with me from the beginning. Equality Fauquier/Culpeper continues to thrive and is currently under-going a bit of a make-over as authority transitions. CEEVA was converted into the Virginia Safe Schools Project which will enable Virginia’s LGBT youth to find a statewide outlet that serves and protects their specific needs as youth. The Voice Project which lives and breathes online through social networking arenas such as Equality MySpace continues to grow under the authority of Matt Hill Comer. Although I have given up my leadership positions in many of these venues I will continue to write for The Advocate, with a pending piece about religion currently underway and another article in development about generational gaps and vocabulary in the gay community.

Other people have asked me why I no longer accept speaking invitations. I think a lot of people who did not necessarily agree with my views or way of doing things decided to start a rumor that I am an opportunist; willing to take any chance I can for the spotlight. I resent this statement both as an activist and an artist. In either venue I never was striving for the spotlight, but when it shined I wouldn’t turn it down but would rather use it in accordance with my plan to advance an organization or work of art. Regardless of this I decided it was important for me to “be a kid” and live out of that sort of spotlight as it was one which demanded constant maturity, responsibility, and wisdom which I lack at my young age.

Some of you may be confused about my decision to not pursue politics. Well, to be completely honest, I never intended to. I often laughed off questions about which college I would attend to advance my political “career.” What I did over the past two years was a reflection of doing the right thing. I never had any intentions of going off to college to study political science, or to pursue non-profit work as a career. Since I was little I have been working in theatre (which accounts for the confidence I maintained leading groups, speaking, and the like.) It has and will always be my intention to continue performing and growing as an artist. This was my plan from the beginning and will be my plan until the end as far as I can see. This is not to say that I will never assist in advancing the cause for equality and justice. I will always be an advocate for equal treatment, especially when it comes to the LGBT community. But I can no longer take as active as a role as I have in the past. As stated before, I will continue to write and work behind the scenes, but other than that do not expect me to be working in the public eye anytime soon as far as politics is concerned. As for this blog, I will make commentaries here as I find necessary to share my voice.

With much love and respect for the many readers who have followed me for two years as I held flags proudly for our community and joined a league of hundreds of thousands of brave people shouting for equality, I take my leave down a different road many of you may not have been aware of from the start—in a pivotal entry which opens a new chapter in my life, I welcome you all to continue reading and commenting. As always, I enjoy a great conversation. Cheers.

Despite complaints, my most recent article for my column with The Advocate was published online. The piece, titled "No Class", echoes the last blog entry about those who celebrated the passing of the Reverend Jerry Falwell.

As many of you know, I currently live in Virginia, the home state of Mr. Falwell. Just down the road from my house is a small town called Amissville, where a young Liberty University student planned to bring his homemade bombs to Mr. Falwell's funeral. However, his intention was not to disturb the funeral itself but to make an attack on Phelps and his minions. Read the story: Liberty student arrested for planning to attend Falwell funeral with bombs.

UPDATE 5.22.2007: The piece will be published online at Advocate.com this Thursday, May 24, 2007.

The following entry was originally submitted to The Advocate for publication in my column. There appears to be a delay at the office and in order to keep the material timely, I wanted to post it here as well.



There is absolutely no class in celebrating death.

The death of the Reverend Jerry Falwell came with a warm welcome from hundreds of LGBT bloggers on Tuesday May 15, 2007. Needless to say I find this to be a horrible representation of the LGBT community. In my opinion, this sort of celebration deserves criticism not only from the obviously opposed-to and mourning right wing conservatives, but also from our own community as well. It is in times like these when our wit and will is tested and when we must stand with dignity despite the death of those who have so often opposed us throughout their life’s ministry. Although I do not support the politics of the Reverend Jerry Falwell, I do not support the celebration of his death or the promotion of a sense of “gain” for our community.

I am reminded of a quote from the major motion picture Lord of the Rings when Gandalf says that "Many that live deserve death and some that die deserve life…do not be too eager to deal out death and judgment." As a minority we advocate for respect as human beings. We expect people to treat us with dignity and to look beyond our sexual orientation or gender identity. Why then are so many people stuck on the politics of Mr. Falwell and finding his death reason to celebrate? We condemn hateful speech and inhumane conduct and in the same way we too should condemn any attempt from our community to celebrate the death of a fellow human being.

If anything, take after Mr. Andrew Sullivan who wrote "Since I can think of nothing good to say about him [Jerry Falwell], I'll say nothing. And pray for the repose of his soul."

The Washington Blade: Don’t rain on their Pride parade / Local gay youth ready to celebrate their own gay holiday

"I feel that if we’re going to celebrate Youth Pride, if we’re going to show our pride, we should do it in a dignified way," Satre says.

As some of you may know, I stepped out of a more active role in activism due to the corruption of the political scene and my somewhat conservative disagreement with the approach that many people in the community make in terms of image on two sides of the fence. (1) I do not support the image that organizations, such as the Human Rights Campaign as well as other state organizations, make in looking for people in their field department and other positions in the public eye to have the "GQ" look. (2) I do not support the image that is often portrayed at so-called "gay pride" events where people decide that ripping off their clothes shows their pride for their community. I believe this is an abomination of the word "pride" which also assumes dignity as apart of the word. In showing the dignity we have for ourselves as a respected community running down the streets naked while demanding equal treatment does not put forth a positive or even an accurate portrayal of the gay community. Unfortunately, these are also the type of people that will magnetize the media and be focused in on by conservative opponents (myself included in the latter.)

I have taken a lot of heat from my views on this particular subject which I have written about in the past with my column in The Advocate speaking about the stereotype that those magazines tend to make that all gay men must have the "white-buff-male" look.

Recently, The Washington Blade called me up to comment on this year's D.C. Youth Pride Event. I think I gave a different perspective on the event which many have found to be a more cynical approach to the idea of youth pride, but I find to be sensible and honest. Although I admit that I enjoy seeing shirtless men or provocative art, I do not appreciate it when it comes to expressing the pride that our community has in terms of dignity and respect.

You can read the article online at the WashBlade.com.

The school newspaper asked me to write an article about the show I just finished touring with and will encore in the Loudoun/Fauquier/Prince William county area outside of Washington, D.C. along with the original cast. The following article was the final copy printed in the paper. I was actually surprised that the article was printed in the first place; however, several teachers expressed support for the article as it is raw and it is truthful to the problem.

Ironically, my article is meant to bring something out into the open that has often been ingnored in our school. Several students have expressed their disbelief in my claims. If anything, this is but the tip of the iceberg with things that have happened to me at school, and I feel that I portrayed the school in a considerably positive light. I was also informed by a few faculty members that some teachers expressed their utter disgust for my article while congregating in the faculty lounge. The article was printed as follows (with commas fixed unlike the following):

Two Notre Dame Academy students, Tully Satre and Rose Tootle helped write and perform an original show about bullying. “Normal”, praised by “The Washington Post”, was produced by the Loudoun Youth Initiative and the Creative Youth Theater Foundation to address bullying as it stands in Loudoun County schools today. The following article, written by Tully Satre, is his reaction to his experience with “Normal” and how he is one of many Loudoun County students who has faced adversity in school.

Few things in school tend to catch the attention of students today. From time to time we all find ourselves snoozing during lectures. I—for one—have quite possibly discovered every way imaginable to sleep during class undetected. Needless to say, we all tend to find school rather bland once and a while. We tend to think it is nothing in the grand scheme of things—education aside—that could possibly affect our lives socially.

But let’s be honest, that isn’t the truth.

You might think I am writing this to discuss education. You might wonder whether this brief introduction is the tip of one long rant about why you should pay attention in class. Do pardon me, for you are sadly mistaken. For it isn’t the debate of our educational values that has caught my eye, but rather the values of our students—of us—and where we stand as dignified (or un-dignified) human beings.

After joining the cast of Normal with teenagers from thirteen other Loudoun/Fauquier County schools I have realized that—whether in the hallways, the locker-rooms, the lunch room, while a teacher’s back is turned, and sometimes even when authority bears witness—bullying has become a parasite in our schools today. Although some may think bullying is purely elementary, it is anything but limited to the bounds of childhood.

I know—we have heard it time and time again, “DON’T be a bully!” But have we really stopped to think about it? Just what does bullying mean today? Surely we here at Notre Dame Academy don’t have any bullies. However, despite the fact that we are a small school, we have bullying too. In fact, because we are such a close-knit community here at Notre Dame Academy we tend to convince ourselves that bullying could not possibly exist or even be a problem.

A “problem” with bullying is simple to determine. One need not witness a wide array of shoves, remarks, and rude looks to classify bullying as a problem in our school. One simply needs to hear the voice of one student who has been bullied to understand that it is a problem; for there need not be more than one student experiencing bullying for it to be considered problematic.

I am one student at Notre Dame Academy who has experienced bullying—from my freshman year to just a couple weeks ago. I have faced adversity in the halls of my own school, and I have yet to see appropriate action be taken.

When I was a freshman, three students decided it was their duty to teach me a lesson. I was walking down the hallway alone well aware of the fact that I would have to pass by this group of boys to get to my locker. With little pride and as much confidence as I could gather I walked towards my locker. As soon as I passed by the awaiting party, I was tripped. My books flew all over the floor, and my backpack ripped open. The three guys laughed and screamed into my face, “F--- you, f-----!”, “You’ll burn in hell!”, “You disgust me.” I attempted to get back up and was then kicked in the shins. The boys left me on the ground. I remember hearing their bitter inhumane laughter echo through the hallway as they ran up the stairs to the lobby. I found what little strength I had inside of me and reported the incident to my counselor where I was told the incident would be properly addressed. The next day, those same guys were still in school, and ready for our next encounter in the hallway.

My sophomore and junior year I recorded over three dozen times (about once every two weeks) that I was called either a “f-----”, or a “queer” alongside other remarks that are too graphic to be printed. Each incident was reported, and still nothing was done to address bullying at our school.

At the end of my junior year, my friend committed suicide for being called the same words I had been called so many times.

This year, I can recall several instances where I have been told I was “disgusting”, where one student told me he would “rather vomit” than listen to my “feminine voice” and another kid ran down the hallway and told me that I was a “f-----.”

Yes, Notre Dame Academy, there is bullying in our school. This is not about being gay or straight. This is not a statement about name-calling or petty remarks. This is not about who the bully is and who the bully isn’t. Differences aside, this is about recognizing an important issue in our school and addressing it appropriately.

One important message we stressed in creating Normal was that there are so many perspectives to the animosities our students face today. We have all been bullies, just as we have all been bullied. Bullying is not exclusive to Notre Dame Academy; it affects every school system throughout Northern Virginia, and for that matter, the country. As a community, we need to recognize that there are countless perspectives to this very issue and find a way to properly address them.

I have made enemies, and I have made friends. I have fallen down, and I have gotten back up. I have had countless positive experiences here at Notre Dame Academy, many that I would not trade for the world, but I have also had some bad experiences that I hope will be addressed for the sake of future students. If anything, I hope that this is one thing our faculty and students can bring attention to during school. I don’t expect pity; I expect action.

Due to the success of “Normal” and praise from students, parents, and faculty, the government agency sponsoring “Normal” has decided to produce [five] encore performances during the weekend of April 28. The performances will tour at the Hill School in Middleburg, Dominion High School in Sterling, George Mason University(Verizon Building) in Prince William, and Highland School in Warrenton. The [fifth] location along with the times and dates of all four performances have not been determined.

Life is dead. Passion has abandoned our generation. Education has failed. I feel that some strange sense of enlightenment about the festering wound that is the mold of our society has made itself apparent to me in a very real and terrible way. The evidence is as clear as sin that our society has created a system based around subtle poisons and blatant conformities that our generation has failed to recognize. I do not believe I could make it clearer that I am sickened by these usual standards set for today’s youth.

Perhaps this could best be summed up in three points: (1) That our education system has failed to educate on the fundamentals of life and has rather instilled pointless hopes in our youth, (2) That the individuality is being quickly replaced with monotony, and (3) That our education system in par with society has created a failing structure, the latter being habitually responsible.

To this, I will elaborate:

(1) That our education system has failed to educate on the fundamentals of life and has rather instilled pointless hopes in our youth:
As British playwright Alan Bennett made clear in his most recent masterpiece The History Boys, education has no easy definition. Education is not simply a cut and dry classroom experience, but must be questioned by morals, values, and structure. Not to say that these three elements are lacking but rather may be over emphasized when creating a system of education today. There is something to say about what we can teach in the pages of a book. There is something to say for the education gained from that of prized literature; but what of the experience? Over the past two years my involvement in politics has taught me more about government than anything I could have possibly learned in A.P. Government this year. In fact, our current teacher has not only been proven to be out of date with current political policies, but has also been found to know less about government than a seventeen-year-old. That is sad. To this, Life is dead. There is absolutely no life in the education most of our students gain today save for the rare handful of teachers who can bring that passion in the classroom (however, most will find it around and within.) Life is dead in that there is nothing to be seen worth witnessing in the textbooks and assignments granted to the majority of students today. Therefore, passion has not been instilled in our youth through the classroom but rather through their own endeavors which leads us into the second point.

(2) That the individuality is being quickly replaced with monotony:
Personal endeavors have often been found to be mute either in school or in college. There is the rare exception that colleges actually take into consideration the personal and sometimes the amazing achievements that one high school student can have. On the other hand there is the fact of failing, or what the education system would consider failing. When do colleges take into consideration this aspect of applicants? When does our own education system take into consideration the circumstances of each individual student? Some would argue that there are just too many students to possibly focus on the individual, but what a sad argument that is. What has become of our education system today if population is simply the excuse for not focusing on the person? How can allowing someone to drown in the crowd and suffocate in the misery of a point system possibly classify the abilities and talents of that one individual? How many systems could honestly say that every teacher knows the name of their students knows their interests and abilities and is able to provide a one-on-one basis for personal growth and development? During one of my college interviews, an admissions officer scoffed at some of my personal achievements. Despite the fact that I am seeking to major in theatre, I was actually crucified for having been involved politically. I was told that I diverted from my passions and that I sought to find something new outside of my main focus. How could this be remotely true? It was not the fact that I had done something that most people my age and in my area were not thinking of doing, it was the fact that I even did it in the first place that actually was considered a diversion. I look at that side of my resume as bringing something new to the process. As has been reported, some colleges do not even take into consideration individual circumstances. To this, they look simply at the surface of a point system which merits points based on specific academic ability which is not to say any of the individual circumstances that may have occurred in the student’s life at the time, the high possibility of having a horrible teacher, or the possibility of having attended a school whose system will hinder the ability of a student’s college process. Our generation is just drugged up on this dope that they're feeding us to fit a puzzle piece society. Our education system fails to commend individual achievements and efforts.

(3) That our education system in par with society has created a failing structure, the latter being habitually responsible:
We are telling our students today that there is only one way to do things. Graduate high school, Graduate College and get a job. This structure has failed. Life is dead for this structure does not provide any change or respiration to the heart of these matters but rather creates a confirmative mediocre society that cannot develop any further. Who honestly knows what they want to do? We all have inklings, some of us have passions, some us have dreams, but we're always doubting. I have met some of the most successful people in various industries—some of whom attended college, others who did not, and even a few who dropped out of high school—they have all told me the same thing. Success is not defined by the system that has been set. Success is merely defined by personal standards. A person should not be taught to go through life living comfortably in being financially secure but should be taught that life is about living comfortably in being happy with what we do. We should pursue our passions with no end.

Perhaps we should start with the lighter notes first. Just a couple weeks after the publication of my latest column in The Advocate (It's just a word.), the Associated Press released a story stating that "Same-sex marriage advocates [have switched] strategies." Coincidence?

Although the main topic of this blog is to be wrapped around activism concerning the GLBT community, there are some things I feel that have personally affected me and I wish to share with you. Last Friday afternoon, a classmate of mine since freshman year was killed in a tragic car accident. Emma DiVito may not have been a close friend of mine, but she was surely a most wonderful acquaintance and a joy to know.

People tend to misunderstand the south and the way we live our lives. We are a small school. We are a small community. In fact, we are barely a community: we are a family. My class is considerably small, with just over a few dozen students. Many of us have known each other since Freshman year, some of us have known each other since middle school or elementary school. Even if we do not see each other after school or on weekends, we are all apart of each other's lives. Emma's mother worked at the school and is famous for her simple joys of M&Ms and non-detention tardy slips. Emma has brought our family at Notre Dame Academy closer together. She has shown us an example of someone who lived life to the fullest and always brought a smile as an accessory. I remember the last time I spoke with Emma just hours before she left school. She was smiling at me, "Tully! We are getting out of school early because of the weather, isn't that great?" She smiled that Emma smile of hers. I did not know her well. She did not know me well. But we did know each other, and I miss her even if she was not as apart of my life as she had been with her friends.

I have been visiting her mother at her home as it is a comfort to Mrs. DiVito to bring youthful life into the house. I would ask that each one of you keep the DiVito family in your thoughts, as well as the other victims of the car accident. You can read the details of the accident online at the WashingtonPost.com.

Emma, Thank you for bringing to me simple gifts of joy. Thank you for the love that you have given to all of us. Please give Dustin and Courtney my love and well-wishes and tell them to watch over us. Continue to stay strong for your mother as I will continue to visit her. We will always love you. P.S. Sorry I wrote your letter on pink paper, I know you hate pink.

Welcome to Virginia; a place where we fuck over homosexuals, Mexicans, and drivers.

Homosexual? All rights and benefits given to the privileged heterosexual citizens shall now be removed. You will receive an order of suspension of rights from the General Assembly of Virginia which will be waived upon enrollment in a conversion therapy program.

Mexican? All rights and benefits given to the privileged citizens of every other ethnicity (save: Middle Eastern) shall now be removed. You will be ridiculed by local officials, discriminated in the workplace, and deported even if you are a U.S. Citizen.

Driver? Even if you stayed up till 2:00am one night two years ago to finish a load of homework that had been assigned, and as a result of being that tired you got into a one-vehicle car accident you will be charged with reckless driving, lose your license, and have to take an eight hour course. Upon the second offense, even if it was being a last minute designated driver, you will still be pulled over for going 10 miles over the speed limit, given three tickets for speeding, no license on person, and no registration (even though the glove-compartment box was jammed) and you will be charged over $200 in fines. Five months later you will receive a letter from the DMV with an order of suspension of your license for 90 days. In addition to this, you will be charged a fine of $85...we do not care if you have auditions to make for college, we do not care if you have rehearsals to go to, community service events to attend, or even if you have to get to the DMV to get your license back: you are generally FUCKED.

Chauffeur Needed.

Encore, Encore!

Student Play Is a Hit Across the Board.

By Arianne Aryanpur
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, March 11, 2007; Page LZ04

It seems that "Normal," the student-written and student-performed play about bullying, didn't make an impression just on teenagers.

The show last month drew so much praise from parents and Loudoun County officials that the county government agency sponsoring the production has arranged for four encore performances in April. The agency also has asked the Middleburg theater group that produced "Normal" to create a play about a different teenage topic next year.

"At every single performance, the accolades from the audience were great," said Tim Chesnutt, director of the Loudoun Youth Initiative, the agency that underwrote the production.

"I spoke with some School Board members [who attended], and they were all very enthused and positive and supportive of our effort, of the topic and the role of the teenagers in the project," he added.

"Normal" is a series of vignettes based on the journal writings of 26 local teenagers, who are also actors in the play. The cast uses humor and insight to explore bullying and other teenage issues such as fitting in and making friends.

The Creative Youth Theater Foundation, a Middleburg-based theater group, worked with the teenagers for several months to produce the play.

Tom Sweitzer, the foundation's creative director, said his group would work with nearly the same cast of young actors to create next year's production. He said the play might address teenage suicide, a topic that attracted attention last month when the bodies of two Maryland teenagers, Rachel Smith and Rachel Crites, were discovered in a car off Route 9 in Loudoun County. Authorities say they think the girls committed suicide.

The county agency and the theater company also will work with the teens to incorporate into the play such themes as the challenges parents face when trying to talk to their children, Chesnutt said.

Sweitzer said he was pleased with the positive reception "Normal" received from School Board members, especially after the decision by school officials not to promote the show. School officials said at the time that school system policy barred them from publicizing a play -- in fliers sent home with students or in posters on school bulletin boards, for example -- unless they had seen a script or attended a rehearsal. In the case of "Normal," they said they had not been able to arrange a viewing.

Chesnutt said he would not ask the school system to advertise the April performances because he didn't think more publicity was necessary.

"We reached the target audience we needed to," he said.

The four encore performances will be the weekend of April 28 at the Hill School in Middleburg, Highland School in Warrenton, Dominion High School in Sterling and a fourth location to be determined. The times and dates of the performances also have not been decided.

View online at WashingtonPost.com.

To those of you who have been pestering me to write something new for The Advocate: I apologize. I have been incredibly busy, as is noted in the column, and have not been able to write new pieces for some time. The newest piece ("It's just a word") was actually written back in November and was just recently re-furbished only to be finally published this morning. Do take a look as I think I am making a rather sensible point.

As always, take what I say with a grain of salt. Although I, of course, often believe what I say to be true to my own values, it is always a mere thought than an exclamation on a soap box. I would ask of you only to be critical of the concept and the idea than to be taken away by petty details (which from responses thus far seems that people tend to be easily distracted by them)...

......I have not had enough time to breathe, let alone think to even put words down on paper. Alas, I cannot stand being quiet for too long. That flame of intuition inside of me forces my silence to succumb to the pen.

Speaking of silence, midnight in D.C. is conspicuously stagnant. There is a flickering streetlight that can’t decide whether it wants to grace us with its rusty warmth. A derelict is smoking a cigarette he found in an ashtray. The theater is closing. Yet the activity is mute as shriveled leaves dance around my feet.

Then something caught my eye: linen pages bound in burgundy card stock. To a passerby it would appear to be a piece of trash, but something moved me to pick it up. Amid the lack of activity my focus was driven to these stray pages.

I picked it up off the sidewalk and looked at the cover: "The Commitment Ceremony of John & Keith, St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church—Washington, D.C."......

The Advocate needs a new photo of me, no? Read the full column here.

What is in store for next week? I see something of Oscar Wilde.

Note (Added 5:30pm):

• This column is in FAVOR of the benefits of marriage for all couples regardless of gender.
  
• This column is in FAVOR of establishing equal protection to gay and lesbian couples.
  
• This column is in FAVOR of gay marriage in the sense of the benefits it implies.
  
  How many ways can I say the same thing? To those of you who wish to make the column something other than what it is, as has been made apparent by a select few, do take the time to read the words and not brush simple phrases.