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Friend,
It’s George Sorensen, Eric’s father.
15 years ago, on the night Barack Obama was first elected president, I sat down with Eric for “the talk.”
Any member of the LGBTQ+ community, and truthfully any parent of a member of the LGBTQ+ community, can understand just how uniquely fragile those conversations can be. Someone is bearing their soul to be the most authentic person, and to truly see them for who they are isn’t always easy when you have so much history knowing them in another way.
Amid the euphoria of the evening, I pulled Eric aside and sat him down. I don’t think he knew quite what I was going to say. I searched for the words, and let it out: |
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“You know my political party up to this point, but now is the time for me to vote for the people who are going to do better for my kids and grandkids.” |
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Eric jerked forward and gave me a great big hug. Then his mom had to join in: |
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“Eric, I’ve been voting for you a lot longer.” |
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Fifteen years later, my son is the first openly out LGBTQ+ person ever elected to represent our state in Congress. And I couldn’t be prouder.
Eric is one of the most compassionate people I’ve ever met, brimming with the belief that those who hate can be filled with love. And the change we seek can’t just be expected, but created by all of us as one part of one community.
Our communities are stronger when we come together, neighbor by neighbor, and support each other for who we are.
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George Sorensen |
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