Your points are quite valid, and you're absolutely right, i don't go below Northern VA very often. From my POV, Virginia starts below the Rappahannock, and it's a whole other world down there. Like many of us from NoVA, I identify more with DC than with VA, to, the point that we refer to 'taking a trip to Virginia' when we go to other parts of the state.
I've met plenty of people, mostly blacks, gays, and trans, over the years who have moved up here due to discrimination they faced in the region the were from. So, i am aware it's not as easy for non-white and/or non-straight people living in other parts of VA as it is here.
Politics up here is notably different than downstate, too.
I'll also point out that in both the cases cited above, the Courts, not other civil authorities, made the decisions, and that the school and school board defending the availability of the book is a part of the government. OF course, schools do not provide protection to individuals in any meaningful way as the police or social services ought to.
I'm very fortunate to have grown up when and where i did. I had it as easy as could be hoped for as someone growing up gay.
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branchandroot
Re: You dont get down to Hampton Roads and southern Va much do you?
Date: 2006-06-22 10:05 pm (UTC)I've met plenty of people, mostly blacks, gays, and trans, over the years who have moved up here due to discrimination they faced in the region the were from. So, i am aware it's not as easy for non-white and/or non-straight people living in other parts of VA as it is here.
Politics up here is notably different than downstate, too.
I'll also point out that in both the cases cited above, the Courts, not other civil authorities, made the decisions, and that the school and school board defending the availability of the book is a part of the government. OF course, schools do not provide protection to individuals in any meaningful way as the police or social services ought to.
I'm very fortunate to have grown up when and where i did. I had it as easy as could be hoped for as someone growing up gay.