A terrific piece, John. I don’t know anyone who would be a better parent, partner and roll model than you, and I would be the happiest grandfather in the world for your kiddos. The legislation is not only insulting, it is offered by a typically narrow minded and insecure segment of the legislature, as evidenced by their decision to push the amendment through without allowing public debate. Seems they don’t want their prejudiced views, which hopefully will continue to be pushed into the minority, to be subject to the democratic process that landed them in their jobs.
I particularly enjoyed the sheepish smiles at some parts of your post. However, squirts, like love, can’t be legislated. Guess you left a Freudian shoelace untied: would have loved to hear your plans for a “her” anytime.
Sorry to take your flowery comment and drag it under a bare light bulb, but is there any way you would mind expanding on your point? I'm having a little trouble following and I might not be the only one.
Hi Swati, I wanted to see if there was a trend in parental preferences for the gender of their children... the whys and the what-if nots of John’s lace-tying child being a him. We were asked as children if we liked Daddy or Mummy more; in some sense, I was posing the inverse question to an aspiring parent.
Gotcha, well knowing John and his speech, I think the use of the word squirt was quite the opposite of the way in which you assumed. Rather than being gendered (and as you thought as male), it seems to be an attempt at neutrality.
That might just be coming from a place of having been referred to as squirt by my family, be it because of being the youngest or the shortest of stature next to my mother, it never seemed to be a gendered word.
I'll leave John's personal preferences for gender as something for hin to answer, though. =)
This was amazing. You are a fantastic speaker. Looking forward to more videos in the future.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteThat was beautiful. You, sir, are inspiring.
ReplyDeleteAuntie Anne will take the squirts out to ice cream after t ball games <333 get ittt.
ReplyDeleteGrandma Carlie will take the squirts swimming after Auntie Anne takes them for ice cream
ReplyDeleteAuntie Emily will teach the squirts how to grow vegetables after they've eaten ice cream and gone swimming.
ReplyDeleteAlso, hello family! Nice to see you all tuned in to LGBT life at Duke. [Remember you can submit blog posts, too!]
A terrific piece, John. I don’t know anyone who would be a better parent, partner and roll model than you, and I would be the happiest grandfather in the world for your kiddos. The legislation is not only insulting, it is offered by a typically narrow minded and insecure segment of the legislature, as evidenced by their decision to push the amendment through without allowing public debate. Seems they don’t want their prejudiced views, which hopefully will continue to be pushed into the minority, to be subject to the democratic process that landed them in their jobs.
ReplyDeleteJohnnie,
ReplyDeleteYou blow me away! So unbelievably well said.
PS: i will make sure your little ones start out on good chocolate just like you did :)
I particularly enjoyed the sheepish smiles at some parts of your post. However, squirts, like love, can’t be legislated. Guess you left a Freudian shoelace untied: would have loved to hear your plans for a “her” anytime.
ReplyDeleteAnon at 12:05:
ReplyDeleteSorry to take your flowery comment and drag it under a bare light bulb, but is there any way you would mind expanding on your point? I'm having a little trouble following and I might not be the only one.
Hi Swati, I wanted to see if there was a trend in parental preferences for the gender of their children... the whys and the what-if nots of John’s lace-tying child being a him. We were asked as children if we liked Daddy or Mummy more; in some sense, I was posing the inverse question to an aspiring parent.
ReplyDeleteGotcha, well knowing John and his speech, I think the use of the word squirt was quite the opposite of the way in which you assumed. Rather than being gendered (and as you thought as male), it seems to be an attempt at neutrality.
ReplyDeleteThat might just be coming from a place of having been referred to as squirt by my family, be it because of being the youngest or the shortest of stature next to my mother, it never seemed to be a gendered word.
I'll leave John's personal preferences for gender as something for hin to answer, though. =)