A truly inspirational woman.

I heard about this on the radio this morning. So sad. Pancreatic cancer is just a bitch.

The We-Didn't-Start-The-Fire Curse strikes again!

Too soon, man. Too soon.

Intersesting that they don't say "First Lesbian in space" and possibly first Gay person of any gender in space?

Isn't that kind of cool too?

Even better that I didn't even know that until you just said it.

 

She came out in her obit. Or her family outted her. I bet they discussed it though so I think it is the former rather than the latter.

All her Obits are listing her "partner of 27 years, Tam O'Shaughnessy." So they're officially acknowledging it.

If your point Tam is that 'It shouldn't be a big deal, it's just a matter of course...' well, I'll disagree and say there is still an Equal Rights Movement underway, and saying "We're Astronauts too - and groundbreakingly famous ones!" is important.

I mean, how many Senators and Congressmen released official condolences today for Sally Ride that signed onto DOMA? Fuck them all in the A with the Eagle has Landed.

Well, I didn't realize she only came out in the obit.  I guess I figured it was a known fact, that wasn't deemed important enough to discuss.  Sadly, I guess I was wrong.  I will defend her right to her privacy, though.  I'd be a hypocrite not to.  I understand what it's like not to want to tell people about your sexual preferences.  It took me forever to admit I had been in a relationship with a woman. 

Well, it's kind of personal.  By kind of I mean completely.

Yeah.  And when I was 16 it seemed like an absolutely incredibly impossible never never never going to admit this to anyone thing.

 

That's how I feel about Chik-Fil-A these days...

...but the sandwiches are so delicious, I can't help myself...

U mean you eat your chicken in a darkened car so nobody will think you're a homophobe or that, say, you hate Kermit?  LOL.

I sneak them. While watching Tyler Perry movies. And listening to Billy Joel.


Oh the shame!

Well, that pales in comparision to Squid admitting he tivo's the Bachelor.

It's incredibly personal. I don't disagree in the slightest.

But it's also a struggle, in which people are getting hurt. I don't know, if I were famous and gay, I'd feel a bit like if shouting it to the hilltops would help one poor bullied kid in some ass-backwards high school, it'd be worth doing.

For all I know she did. I just didn't find anything about it. It certainly doesn't seem like a secret.

Whatever. I knew her name as a little kid. If you'd asked me to name a female astronaut yesterday, I would have immediately said Sally Ride. If you'd asked me to name two, or right now asked me to name a living female astronaut... well I can't.

I can't name any active duty male astronauts either, so maybe that's not saying much.

yeah yeah yeah.  Totally ignoring the really important issue.  The Bachelor thing.

Seriously, though.  I was that kid in highschool so I can certainly see your point.  Would I like more celebrities to come out ala Anderson Cooper?  Of course.  I just can't judge them.

Old news, Tam. Squid had his man card revoked over this some time ago. But if my records are correct, hes only got about 7 hours of UFC left to watch in order to get reinstated.

I don't care!  I won't be denied my fun just because I haven't been here to know these things!!!

I don't watch the bachelor for the articles, that's for sure.

I kept reading this thread like "she came out in orbit" and I was like "YEAH... get into space THEN tell them you're gay, you go girlfriend!"

Wouldn't that be cool?  If she'd been in space and live on national television and she had radioed, "Houston, we have a problem.  I am a gay astronaut.  I am gay at this time, Houston.  Houston, I'm wearing Hanes boxers under this astronaut suit."

Chik-Fila Sandwiches are delicious, and I will sing Piano Man in a drunken stupor anytime...but coming out about Tyler Perry movies, for god sakes man, you are asking for hate crimes to be committed against you

Not every gay person has to be a poster child, Squid. She was an enormous advocate for women in all fields. RIP, Dr. Ride.

You're right of course. Not faulting her.

Oh and to you, it's "Mr. Boy."

HA! I read this EXACTLY like Aurora... all the way!!!

"She came out in Orbit." ... me thinking, "well, that's an inventive place to come out! Go SALLY GO!!!"


And, then ... I read Aurora's post and thought 'WHAT???" Obit? Ohhh.....

May she Rest in Peace.

LOL @ Tam!

Wow. I just read that her partner of 27 years will receive no survivor benefits from NASA.

WTF....

This happens all the time to gay couples, and should STOP.

DAMN YOU Defense of Marriage Act!

Wow, that's sad isn't it?

cf: my entire point in this thread.

She had to stand up and air her own personal life to the world, no matter the hundreds of women-oriented charities and organizations she benefitted - including Sally Ride Science, led by her partner. Is that it?

According to Wiki: Their 27-year relationship was revealed by the company and confirmed by Ride's sister who also stated that Ride chose to keep her personal life private, including her sickness and treatments.

And that's her perogative. This issue has overshadowed everything else about her. I'm sure she wasn't blind to that.

Anon, you need not be so angry. I am in the Spiderman school of celebrity, you are not. "With great power comes great responsibility."

It's ok to calmly disagree. I want there to be no discrimination against gay people anywhere. I believe that the more knuckleheads see gay people who they can look up to and respect, the more minds are opened.

If I'm right, you believe that she's entitled to a private life, and she shouldn't have to carry the weight of a movement on her shoulders simply because she's good at what she does and she happened to get famous doing it.

I've already said it's a totally valid point.

Yet, how sad that her partner doesn't have benefits. How sad that Spiderman's Uncle Ben was killed by the very criminal Spiderman didn't bother to catch for petty theft from an enemy! It's neither of their fault. They might have done something though.

North Korea, South Korea, Marilyn MON-ROE!

Damn songs been stuck in my head for days now. Damn you Sally Ride!

Your interpretation of angry and/or hostile is pretty loose, Squid. I think that actually you just like being right, probably.

Smirk, if you bring that song up again I'm going to stalk you so hard...

Gosh, you're an irredeemable asshole. That's why I resorted to deleting you. There is absolutely nothing anyone can say that will keep you from being combative and nasty. By all means, stay anon.

At the request of someone I respect, I've stopped deleting your shit for now. I still maintain it was a necessary public service, like spraying of mosquitos or picking up horse shit after a parade.

Your problem is you don't like me. So what? That feeling is utterly mutual. And that is strictly verboten in your mind - I get it.

Trouble in the SUUUUU - EZZZZ

It's on, pal. If you hear anything rustling in the bushes, just ignore it. It'll go away.

Whos request??

Those bushes are very close to the shore. Be careful of the hypodermics.

Smrk, even I'm going to stalk you if you don't shuttie.  Besides, Wheel of Fortune still lives.  Like cockroaches after a nuclear winter.

SQUID!! Who is the some one you respect enough to follow their request ?

No, it's bigger than that. Keep thinking about it, maybe it'll come to you. Your own post in 'life history' says everything I've ever suspected.

With that last jab, I'm not 'try to lay off the high ones' yet again, and eschew the anono-fight thing for a while. Everyone can soak up your unchecked nonsense. I'll avoid your stuff if you do me the same courtesy, until I can't take it any more - which I admit usually isn't very long.

Everybody trying to control what each other can post, what each other can reply to. Its like this thread is under martial law - like China.

OMG please stop talking to the hateful anon and answer me so I can boil over into righteous anger? I'm due!!

Yeah, I'm getting a little butt sore at Smirk's mockery, so I'm going to take a break.

Am I posting in invisible font again???

Heil, Squid.

That was me on the Life History thread? Wow, you can see what's IN THE COMPUTER? That's amazing. What you just said confirms everything I suspect about you - that you're a drama-loving old lady, Mrs. Kravitz.

Appy, he's not going to tell you.  But I suspect it was several of us hinting that we need to let people be nasty if they're nasty.  The DV is the equivalent of a madman screaming in the streets and the nasties are more like protesters with a generally despised agenda (like the ones that were delayed from going to the Aurora vigil). 

Tam, is Mr. Boy able to speak for himself, or will you be fielding all his questions today?

He is able and clearly unwilling.  And I couldn't stand you being ignored.  Because I love you, dammit!  Sob.

Yeah, it's just like that.

This may be off pretty much every topic here, but the song that gets stuck in my head is Mustang Sally - "Riiiiiide, SALLAAAY, Riiiiide!"

I'm not interested enough to look it up, but I wonder if that song had her in mind?

Tam, you're getting a little big for your britches, missy.

Mustang Sally about Sally Ride? Only if it was written about her when she was a sophomore. In high school.

I gained a little weight after the wedding. 

Everybody did. He married it, amirite?

Damn right girl! Proof:

 

I think I posted it before but it bears repeating!

Pretty, pretty Tam

Is that really you? Lovely couple!

Plus - you're brave.

OMG LOVE! What a great pic Tam! You're glowing and beautiful.

Awww thanks!  You could see a lot more of them if you were a member of Facebook!  Even the shoes!

You've posted more personal info since you're back than most people have in years. That's brave.

I think I'm just a lot more comfortable in my own skin.  I'm 53, I'm not gorgeous, I'm not living in the lap of luxury, but I'm okay with me and my friends love me.  That's all anybody needs, right?

Yes, many people would envy you. And should. You're fortunate!

"It's not riot Sally riot. It's ride Sally ride"

Ummm, neady?? Who said riot? Above it says Riiiide.

It's from "The Commitments".

Get some culture, dirtbag.

Not if it's your kind of culture, scumbag

Why don't you two dumbheads just admit it?  You love each other!

Umm, Tam?? Enough of the Queen shit -- the whole bored/boared seems so thrilled with your return. Not so much. You think you're on top of everything here, you are the "first responder" to every,and I mean every, thread. Yawn. Go back to your life. Whether it be as a lesbian, straight person, whatever, you are too much here.

Anon, shut up and go watch The Commitments. Next time you see a pop culture reference you don't get just STFU and don't make a fool out of yourself. And quit saying "umm" in every post, you sound even stupider.

The anonowanger(1) is not thrilled with my return.    And I thought you guys really liked me.   

I'm flouncing.  It's better this way.  I can't take this kind of criticism.  You guys have been great.  But as long as anonowanger(1) feels I'm an overposting, needy attention whore, it just feels wrong to stay.

Love you guys.

Aaaand, you are so intelligent, idiot

Go watch 10 Commandments, you fuckup

No way she will be gone -- she has lived here 24/7 for days now -- acts like she "re-discovered" the place. What a bossy person -- does she like guys or girls???

Ahh, just realized, a bi-polar person. Welcome Tam!!

Don't worry, Tam, your sarcasm did not go totally unrecognized.

No, not at all.

hrm. "bossy". What a strange adjective to use in this situation.

"Dirtbag" was a little strong. I meant it in a light-heated way. Not to offend. I apologize.

Wow! That was a pretty short 2nd honeymoon for Tam!

AIDS, Crack, Bernie Geotz!

I also think it's Koool. Split personality - goofy doofus WIHT EEEZILY !!! FAKED no TYPING SKILLS and mean-ass anon that can type. In both iterations constantly complains about no new cartoons on a page that hasn't had a cartoon in what, 7-8 years? Knock it off, already. Jesus.