Always Call Family in an Emergency
In my car I keep a roadside emergency kit, first aid kit, and 7-day survival pack for my dogs and me. (I should have been a Girl Scout but the sash would have over accentuated my “extra-medium” waistline.) I try to be prepared to the point that I also carry at least 1/2 dozen roadside flares. They have come in handy several times. 
In the past few weeks I have had to use them twice as I happened upon people who were in need. As I came upon the accident, I saw two co-workers standing near one of the cars on the shoulder of the freeway on ramp and a second car down the embankment about 30 feet away. I stopped to help; thankfully everyone seemed shaken but okay. My co-workers were not part of the accident but saw what happened. Concerned for their safety on that curved road, I laid three lit flares several yards from the accident so oncoming traffic would be alerted as they rounded the bend. A third co-worker in her truck (yes, she is “family” too) pulled over to see if she could offer aid. Eventually, emergency services arrived and I left. The next day the two co-workers who saw the accident thanked me separately and said that I and the other “sister” were the only two people who stopped to help. As both my co-workers are devout Christians who were not silent about their efforts to pass Prop 8, I politely responded to them, “Isn’t it interesting that the only two people who offered to help were gay. I am hoping the next time there is a vote to take my rights away you will remember that.”
The second accident involved a disabled truck on a city street less than a half block from the freeway off-ramp. The setting sun made it difficult to see the man at the back of his truck waving his arms trying to direct drivers around his vehicle. Once again I found myself pulling over, digging out three roadside flares and placing them several yards behind the car. As I walked back to the truck I noticed a “Yes on 8” bumper sticker on his truck. He was genuinely thankful as he told me the tow truck said they would arrive in about 15 minutes. He said he wanted to pay me for the flares and I told him it was not necessary. I mustered up enough courage, looked him in the eye and said if he really wanted to repay me the next time he had to vote for another Prop 8 he would think of the lesbian who helped him. It was at that time he noticed my HRC hat with equality logo. I told him to be safe and drove away.
That weekend I went to my local automotive chain for flare replenishment. Standing at the stockroom counter, I asked the attendant for six 20-minute roadside flares. The man at the counter could not fathom what a woman would want with such an item. He actually asked me what I wanted them for.
I was so tempted to say I was making an elaborate cake and the flares would give me the over-the-top effect I was going for.
When we are finally given all our rights, perhaps I will make that cake, flares and all.
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I think you handled both of those situations better than I would have, Doreen. I’m ashamed to admit, but I don’t think I would have stopped to help once I saw the bumper stickers or knew who I was helping.
Mr. trouble never hangs around,
when he hears this Mighty sound,
“Here I come to save the GAY!”
That means that Uncle Doreen is on the way!
Yes sir, when there is a wrong to right,
Uncle Doreen will join the fight!
“Here I come to save the GAY!”
That means the Uncle Doreen is on the Way!
On the sea or on the land,
She’s got the situation well in hand!
- The lyrics to “The Mighty Mouse Playhouse”, 1955
Please, please, please tell me that you drive around with the huge Hitachi Magic Wand on top of your car and a black eye mask.
Peg, I feel like I should get a costume and cape with a big D(yke) on the front. I would then need a faithful sidekick.
(Announcer Voice) Tune in next week for the newest adventure of Super Dyke and Little Clit as they tackle the lack of sexual harrasment in the workplace.
(Little Clit) “Mighty D, isn’t it only harrassment if I DON’T enjoy it?”
(Announcer Voice) Brought to you by Suburu.
I’m curious…did the guy at the second accident have any response to your comment? And it just proves my point that once people get to know us in a personal way, they can no longer vote impersonally.
Maria, the second guy had no response. He looked at the HRC logo right before I walked away. Wonder what his though process was as he waited for the tow truck.
You’re so funny! Please, could I be your sidekick? If you could just see the winter time giddy up that I carry in the trunk of my car, I know we would get along. I’m totally hypervigilant. I suffer from it, my family suffers from ME. Are you PTSD?
I just like your way of coming out in every day life. Why keep it secret? It’s not like you’re an ax murderer, are you?
P.S. I look good in tights.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypervigilance
here. here.
A standing ovation for you! Not only were you a good sam, but you bravely brought up a subject which could have ended up in a very dicey exchange. I’m so glad there are folks in the world like you, Uncle Doreen. You have given me the incentive to be brave when the next opportunity arises.
Great article Unc. Doreen!
Tara, I guess my one good deed slightly offsets the countless times I have thought about slashing the tires of the cars that had “Yes on 8″ bumper stickers…lol