Making My Life Happen. In Oakland.

Posted on August 9, 2012 by erin

I’m going to Oakland Labor Day weekend to meet my partners in crime, Jared Karol & Amie Shea to get our Gay Dad Project off the ground and start working on our documentary. Another goal of ours is to collaborate on a book. But the first step is the three of us meeting in person, and what better occasion than Oakland’s Gay Pride Festival On September 2nd?

I’m sick of sitting back and waiting for things to happen to me.

I’M MAKING MY LIFE HAPPEN.

Jared, Amie and I all have gay dads. I wish I’d known them when my dad came out in 1991. But what’s important is that we know each other now and we want to spread the word that we’re not alone. We want to help people and families who may be going through a similar situation. My dad and his partner, Kory, are also meeting me there. We’re working on finding someone with a video camera to take some footage and work on editing it.

We really need your support. Please follow The Gay Dad Project on Twitter HERE.  We’d love a Facebook like and share, too, so check us out HERE as well.

Click around on the Gay Dad Project blog HERE.  Please keep in mind that we’re very new, we’re still working out the kinks, and we know it’s not perfect. But we NEEDED to get the ball rolling.

This is what I’m meant to do.

So I’m fucking doing it. I’m taking another risk.

If I’m being honest, I can also say I’m nervous. Anxious about attending gay pride for the first time, meeting more new people (Jared & Amie), worried that somehow this will never work out even though it’s all I’ve ever wanted—for another child of a gay parent (no matter his or her age) to feel like there’s a real community out there…

I’m excited, apprehensive, and full of adrenaline.

I feel like I have a first date with my destiny. Wish me luck.

Rainbow Flag

photo credit

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  • http://www.motherhoodthetruth.com/ Truthfulmommy

    You are amazing in so many ways Erin and this is an amazing project. You will make a difference in the world. SO proud of you for saying fuck it and making things happen. XO

    • http://www.facebook.com/erin.margolin Erin Best Margolin

      TruthfulMommy,

      thank you so much. And yes, saying fuck it feels good sometimes, doesn’t it?!

  • http://www.lateenough.com/ Alex@LateEnough

    WOOHOO Already liked and followed and now I’m passing it along to friends :)

    • http://www.facebook.com/erin.margolin Erin Best Margolin

      Alex,

      Thank you, sweet thing! xoxo

  • Laura E

    Proud of you! Go for it!

    • http://www.facebook.com/erin.margolin Erin Best Margolin

      Laura E,

      You rock! Thanks so much!

  • http://www.facebook.com/jaredkarol Jared Karol

    So glad you’re making this happen, Erin. Can’t wait to meet you in person. Only three weeks away! It’s (all) going to be awesome!

    • http://www.facebook.com/erin.margolin Erin Best Margolin

      Jared,

      I can’t wait to meet you guys, either! I hope we’ll get some great footage and have tons of fun together…was also thinking we should have cameras on when we first meet and I tackle you guys w/ hugs??? 

  • http://www.facebook.com/jaredkarol Jared Karol

    So glad you’re making this happen, Erin. Can’t wait to meet you in
    person. Only three weeks away! It’s (all) going to be awesome! 

  • Gloria

    I love this!! HELL YEAH! I’m so glad that are taking charge! I needed to read this and take some of your can do, take charge, make it happen attitude with me! 

    Be sure to let us know how it goes :)

    • http://www.facebook.com/erin.margolin Erin Best Margolin

      Gloria,

      Thanks for reading and I hope you can do something awesome, too! (I am trying. It’s scary, but I’m trying.) Will definitely keep everyone posted! ;-)

  • Christie

    Amazing! I love it! And good for you. Way to get out there and do something.

    • http://www.facebook.com/erin.margolin Erin Best Margolin

      Christie,

      Thank you so much. I’m happy you stopped by to read!

  • http://twitter.com/millejoa jo miller

    You are amazing.  I admire your stepping out, willing to face it all.  thank you for being willing to give, helping promote this process of love, acceptance and allowing .  Lots of love and prayers for hope, strength and courage.  love you, appreciate all you do.  psssst.  you do lots for the many issues that must be challenged and brought forward, into the light.

    • http://www.facebook.com/erin.margolin Erin Best Margolin

      Jo,

      you are a doll. I can’t thank you enough. you’re always so supportive. my personal cheerleader! xoxoxo

  • http://misadventuresofmrsb.com/ Mrs. Jen B

    I am so, so proud of you and will be following this project and cheering you on. You are such a rockstar!

    • http://www.facebook.com/erin.margolin Erin Best Margolin

      Jen,

      I’m trying. I think I might need a cape or something to wear to reinforce it….LOL!

  • http://www.themomalog.com/ Ado

    This is SO cool! SO inspirational. Wishing you luck. PS: I’m so bummed I somehow missed you at BlogHer. 

    • http://www.facebook.com/erin.margolin Erin Best Margolin

      Ado,

      I am bummed I missed you at BlogHer…but since none of us looks like our avatars, it’s hard. LOL I hope we’ll get to meet at something in the future—so you have any other conference plans coming up? Will you go back to BlogHer next year?

  • http://www.thesuniverse.blogspot.com Suniverse

     This is fantastic!

    • http://www.facebook.com/erin.margolin Erin Best Margolin

      Thank you, sweetie! I AM SO GLAD we got to meet! And I still hate myself for calling you Kablooey by accident. But anywhooo….you are so cool and fun and I feel privileged to have hung out w/ you at BlogHer!

  • http://twitter.com/ashleytaylor76 The Dose of Reality

    See and I can’t imagine it NOT working. You have a vision and a plan. You will do it. I am 100% willing to do whatever I can to help you.
    I think that children out there will look to you for guidance and direction in navigating their own situations, and I love that you are putting yourself out there for them.

    • http://www.facebook.com/erin.margolin Erin Best Margolin

      Ashley/Dose of Reality,

      Well, we have a plan, but we don’t have a PLAN.  I mean, this is going to require some funding. We’re working on some Indiegogo stuff, but I think a lot depends on how many people we can get to help us cheaply or for free. We’re calling in some favors from friends as a start (for film crew) and I’m pretty clueless about the fundraising part. But my dad also has connections and may be able to help….

  • http://withjustabitofmagic.com Jackie

    You’re such an amazing person! I know that this will turn out wonderfully and that you’ll end up helping so many others!
    Just like everyone else I’ll be here cheering you on!

    • http://www.facebook.com/erin.margolin Erin Best Margolin

      Jackie,

      Thanks for the cheering, I need all the cheerleaders I can get! xoxoxo MWAH!

  • http://writingwishing.com/ Alison

    Go you!! Good luck and I know you can do this. 

    • http://www.facebook.com/erin.margolin Erin Best Margolin

      Alison,

      You rock. Thanks for the vote of confidence!

  • Suzy Soro

    I think back on my life and all the gay friends I’ve had for 30+ years and I find it mind-blowing that the #gaydadproject and your (eminent) documentary are all talked about on social media and with so much support. This couldn’t have happened 20 years ago. 

    I know you’ll be successful because you’re doing it from your heart. Good luck Erin. You GO girl!

    • http://www.facebook.com/erin.margolin Erin Best Margolin

      Suzy,

      I agree completely—which is also part of why it took my dad so long to come out.

      Thanks for the luck, I’ll be needing it. I really appreciate your reading and the vote of confidence!

      Have a wonderful weekend!

  • http://twitter.com/GDRPempress Good Day, Reg People

    Erin: my prayer and energy and everything in me right now is going to YOU.  I am waving my flag for you. THIS: this is YOUR thing.

    I see it. As if it were right in front of me: clear as the hands in front of me.

    Never stop, Erin…keep pushing and never stop.

    • http://www.facebook.com/erin.margolin Erin Best Margolin

      Alexandra,

      Thank you, dearest one. You are my lifeline, my rock. I hope this is my thing. I thought the Moth was going to be my thing. But I have to let go of the things that didn’t work out.

      I am pushing.

  • http://twitter.com/RASJacobson Renee Jacobson

    Beyond proud of you.

    You need to go towards the things that scare you.

    I am so excited for you, I might explode.

    I hope you are met with love love love.

    • http://www.facebook.com/erin.margolin Erin Best Margolin

      Renee,

      I’ve already been met by love—-yours. And it means so very much to me. Thank you, sweet friend I hope I get to meet!

  • http://www.facebook.com/melissa.olivero Melissa Ruppert Olivero

    I am so excited for you!!! This is going to be such an amazing chapter for you to experience. Best wishes for it to be everything you want it to be. :)

    • http://www.facebook.com/erin.margolin Erin Best Margolin

      Melissa,

      Thank you!!! I am nervous, but I’m going to throw myself into this. Time will tell.

  • http://fourplusanangel.com/ jessica

    This is so amazing and it is going to such a great venture for you. I wish you nothing but success and you have all the support in the world from me. xo

    • http://www.facebook.com/erin.margolin Erin Best Margolin

      Jessica,

      Thank you, sweetheart. I’m so happy I got to meet you. You are stunning, amazing, and I’m glad we got to hang out at BlogHer. I also hope I get to see you at something else again SOON! ;-)

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  • Michelle Longo

    How exciting!  Good for you for going out there and doing it!  Wishing you much success and all the best!

    • http://www.facebook.com/erin.margolin Erin Best Margolin

      Michelle,

      You are awesome! Thanks so much for your support, it means a lot to me.

  • Mandy Dawson

    I’m so proud of you for doing this. As you know, this project is something that is so important to me and I’m so very happy you’re making it happen. Go!!!

    • http://www.facebook.com/erin.margolin Erin Best Margolin

      Mandy,

      Love & hugs. I don’t need to say any more to you or I’ll just cry.

  • Karen Gerwin

    This is an amazing thing you are doing, Erin!

    • http://www.facebook.com/erin.margolin Erin Best Margolin

      Thank you, Karen—I’m so pleased you stopped by!

  • http://www.facebook.com/smartinez03 Stephanie Marie Martinez

    You are going to have so much fun!  I shared the project on a few of our local pride pages, I know it’s new but maybe someone will share a story or something!

    • http://www.facebook.com/erin.margolin Erin Best Margolin

      Stephanie,

      I really appreciate your sharing the info on FB, you are so thoughtful. Your support means a great deal to all 3 of us. THANK YOU! xoxoxo

  • Julia Hunter

    Good luck, I think you are starting something great and supportive.

  • http://www.misselaineouslife.com Elaine A.

    You are amazing and I think it’s SO wonderful that you’ve found friends to help you with this endeavor.  I cannot WAIT to see where it takes you all… xoxoxo

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