Monday, October 22, 2007

I AM Gay Enough!

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that Wife and I recently discovered we were not gay enough. Someone's blog listed us as "gay like"....well, this is a correction. We are simply "queerish", as opposed to truly queer, it seems. Well, hey, I don't know this person, but they have a link to my blog on theirs, and seem "queerish" themselves, so if you are interested in this gay parenting thing, check out their site.

You will all be happy to know I have evidence that I am gay enough.

This is actually pretty good, and speaks volumes of stereotypes and truth. I met a 1L at my school the other day prior to an event about discrimination in the work place. She was there to meet her mentor, one of the panelists. I was there to meet the same person because I had heard she was quite out as a lesbian and was involved in energy law. The student asked if I'd ever met her. When I said I had not, she replied with something to the effect of, "So you will know who you are looking for, she looks a lot like you but with red hair."

Now, it took a lot for me not to crack up at that point, because I what I was hearing in my head is that all dykes look alike. Of course we do - how else will we know each other when we meet? (That was sarcasm, by the way.) I was polite, and I really was not offended, but I was amused. Did the 1L even know the other woman is gay? Probably not...which does say that there really is a tangible something about the lesbian vibe, and the stereotype.

Did the woman and I look alike? Well....not really, but we both have short hair, are of medium build and give off a definite lesbian vibe. (I think that is a self-confidence thing, actually, because in a room of powerful women - say, attorneys - all wearing suits - well - the lesbian vibe is a lot more difficult to distinguish, at least, quickly.)

So, you see, I clearly AM gay enough since I look like an OUT lesbian.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

You're good enough, you're gay enough and, gosh darnit, people like you!

LOL -- funny story. Did you get to chat with the energy attorney? Any good future job leads? Energy (and environment) are really fast-growing practice areas.

Dakota said...

Yes- to all of your questions and comments! It ends up that the atty works for a major utility, but really does IT Contract management. I did get her number though, and she offered to hook me up with some folks, so - very cool.

I'm at the top Environmental Law school in the country - so feeling really good about that. We don't have a lot that directly deals with energy law - but a bit. I'm getting all I can! Some parts are really specialized, but some is basic law - mostly contracts and IP issues. Fun stuff!

Brian Cavner said...

This is sort of an out of the blue question, but were you sitting near the front row on the right-hand side?

CleverBoy said...

As somebody who's been called "not jewish enough" in the past, I congratulate you.

LawSchoolBlogger said...

As somebody who's been called "not jewish enough" in the past, I congratulate you.

Dakota said...

Brian - yes :)
I think I have seen you around campus - be sure to say "hi" sometime - or I will if I am awake enough to recognize you. I really like your photography.

Lynilu said...

Uh, well, color me "in the know" now. I didn't know that!!! You are? Really?

One of my former neighbors in KC told me once that I was "family by association" because I had more friends/family in the gay community than the "normal" straight person, and because I have a well developed "gaydar" even though I'm not. LOL! OK, it works for me.

Dakota said...

I know - weird, right? You'd think being a woman married to another woman and raising two children together would put people on notice that I am a lesbian, and no other proof would be needed.

Hey - a good sense of gaydar is priceless!

Welcome to the club.
Your membership materials should arrive shortly.

Mimi said...

I think that is the funniest thing I have ever heard!!!! My bother (he's 50) is gay and I don't think he looks gay...but my husband does, so maybe when you know some one you just DON'T see it...lol...and does it really matter???? I read your wife blog all of the time your children are happy so there it doesn't matter!!! Love ya!

Monogram Queen said...

Oh my now I need to sit down and assess... am I STRAIGHT enough?
LOL

pt-lawmom is funny!