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By lauren • 15 years ago

What to do about bigoted family?

This post was inspired by this post by Ann.

I just moved back to the States after spending the last five years living overseas on military bases. I was only 19 when I left and so I have established myself as an adult away from the immediate influences and attitudes of my family. Now that I’m back, this has led to an interesting conundrum.

I’ve changed, my family hasn’t.

Some might find it surprising that living in a military environment would lead me to be less sexist, racist, or homophobic–but it hasn’t. The military institution may be racist and homophobic, but the people I chose to befriend, the people I grew with and grew to love, weren’t. Military bases aren’t only populated by military people. They aren’t even only populated by military families. There are government contractors, DoDDs workers, etc. And, of course, not all military personnel hold racist or homophobic views. If there is one thing the military is not, it’s not racist. It’s forced anti-racism, if it’s anything. I have now had friends of all skin tones and from many different countries of origin. With such a diversity of people, it’s no wonder these last five years have changed me.

Now, however, when I go home, I’m acutely aware of the sexist, racist, and homophobic attitudes of my family. Growing up, they were so common, so there , that I’m ashamed to admit I never noticed them. I even subscribed to them. Gag. But ...
By lauren • 15 years ago

An Open Letter to Brad Henning

I would like to thank ElizabethLeigh for leaving a comment on my last post directing me to Mr. Henning’s web site. For everyone who doesn’t know, Brad Henning gives abstinence-only presentations at high schools. I just sent him this e-mail.

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Mr. Henning,

You gave a presentation to my school back in 2000. I was a freshman, a believer, and a virgin. I remember that your talk really resonated with me and I reaffirmed my commitment to stay a virgin until I was married.

That commitment lasted a year.

I would like to thank ElizabethLeigh for leaving a comment on my last post directing me to Mr. Henning’s web site. For everyone who doesn’t know, Brad Henning gives abstinence-only presentations at high schools. I just ...
By lauren • 15 years ago

The biggest lies about sex I was ever told

I actually wrote this as a blog post way back in January. But, since it was inspired by Feministing, I thought I’d post it here for the new community. I did edit it slightly, since it’s no longer January.

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Way back in January there was a post about an abstinence-only video that used duct tape as a metaphor for one’s body. The duct tape was being stuck to doors, walls, garbage cans, and a fat girl. It ended by saying "What if two clean pieces stuck together? They could stay together forever!" And that, dear friends, is the set up for a rant.

You see, when I went to WWVA–Walla Walla Valley Academy, a denominational school for a strict Christian sect–I ...

I actually wrote this as a blog post way back in January. But, since it was inspired by Feministing, I thought I’d post it here for the new community. I did edit it slightly, since it’s no ...