ADVOCATE POLL.

Reader comments from www.advocate.com

* "Mom (who is 83) met several times with her state senator and representative, wrote numerous letters to the editor, and sent out an appeal for money during the civil unions debate in Vermont last year. She hosted (and danced at) our civil union at her home. All this from a woman who never spoke the word `lesbian or sent us an anniversary card until we'd been together 30 years. Hey, she's a late starter but a strong finisher!"

* "I know I will never see my mother as grand marshal of the pride parade, but that is OK. I know she accepts me for who I am and that is the progress that I hoped for,"

* "No, unless a grim, tight-lipped refusal to discuss the subject is actually `advocacy' and I've misunderstood it."

* "During a long custody battle for my daughter, my mother was beside me in the courtroom, telling her side of why gay men make excellent fathers,"

* "Since my mom doesn't know I'm gay, she can't be an advocate."

In the August 28 issue, readers were asked:

Has your mother been an advocate for you in your life
as a GLBT person?

Yes         40%
No          55%
Undecided    5%

Note: Table made from pie chart.