MUSINGS. . .
On A Quarter Century of Lesbian Living
by
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Bennington is a small city just inside Vermont’s border, a 45 minute drive from Albany, New York. Nestled in the foothills of Vermont’s Green Mountains, though close to New York State, there’s no question that you’re in New England. Restaurants with romantic names overlook trickling mountain streams and scenic little inns and guesthouses dot the landscape. The air feels cleaner and fresher, the people far more relaxed than in New York State’s busy cities. We arrived in Bennington late on a weekday afternoon. One stop got us easy directions to the town clerk’s office. I’d called ahead to verify what documents would be required and to get a sense of his attitudes about civil unions. Some Vermont town clerks are less than supportive, claiming religious beliefs make it difficult for them to issue these licenses. In at least one case, the local town clerk was allowed to hire an assistant to complete the paperwork because she was so opposed. Bennington’s town clerk was not one of those. Nor was the Justice of the Peace to whom he referred us. In fact, the JP was very supportive of the new legislation. Just the previous week she had officiated at a ceremony uniting a couple of men on their 45th anniversary. The next morning our wedding took place. And like most weddings, it was very meaningful to us, and over in a remarkably short time. Vows exchanged, words said, documents signed. And at last, one civil government in one little state in a far northern corner of the United States validated a relationship that has been the keystone of our lives for almost a quarter of a century. Sometimes the absurdity of our situation makes me want to cry.
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About the Book
Much has been written about the history of the gay rights movement and much more should and will be. But beneath the struggle for social and legal reform have been thousands of men and women trying simply to live their lives as best they can. I am one of those thousands: a lesbian living and loving during the second half of the 20th century. Being a lesbian is only one part of my life and yet, it effects every other part. My relationships, my parenting, my social life, my career have all been different by virtue of the fact that I love another woman rather than a man. This book is about those thousands of women whose quest for a good life is hampered - and enhanced by their love of women. It is about me. It may also be about you or someone you love. Wandering back with me through some of the issues that defined our lives during the past twenty-five years will provide you with more understanding of these same issues as they impact lesbians today. I expect we’ll share some laughs and perhaps a few tears along the way.
About the Author
A columnist for Key West's gay and lesbian newspaper, Celebrate!, a contributor to the web magazine Cybersocket, and a reporter for a Western New York daily newspaper, Judy Lawrence has been publishing her thoughts on lesbian life since the mid-90’s. But she’s been living her life as a lesbian for over a quarter of a century. During these twenty-five years of lesbian living, she has been blessed with - and challenged by - a loving relationship, two delightful children, and a successful career. And as she struggled to create the life she dreamed of for herself and her family, society was undergoing unparalleled changes in its attitudes toward lesbians and gays. Being a lesbian had far more impact on her life than she would ever have suspected when she began this journey almost half a lifetime ago. A graduate of the University of Rochester, Judy worked in non-profit administration in Rochester, New York, for many years before resigning her position, selling her home, and with her partner Pat Collins, going to live on a boat and sail wherever the winds took them. While cruising down the Florida Keys, they anchored near Key West and fell in love with this lesbian and gay paradise. Judy and Pat reside in Key West, Florida, during the winter months and summer in Western New York.