As pride month comes to a close, it’s only right that I mention two very important LGBTQ+ members in my life, my grandmothers. If you don’t already know, the word “bubby” means grandma in Yiddish. My grandmothers have always been an inseparable pair to me; they were always my Bubbies and nothing else. I’m glad that even though one of them is not blood-related to me, I can still refer to her as my Bubby.
My grandmothers’ story as a pair is pretty fascinating. They met in the 1980s when my father was in his early teens, and lived through decades of bigotry and homophobia. After all, they were an openly gay couple during a revolutionary time for the LGBTQ+ community. My grandmas are also some of the most caring and funny people in my life. They've relayed so many stories to me about how life was for them and how they watched their community grow into an entire movement.
To honor my grandmas’ impact on my life, I’ll detail what each of them is like and what they’ve done throughout the years. First, my blood-related grandma Kay Taus, or “Bubby Kay” has always been extremely caring and thoughtful to others, dedicating her career to help those in need. She has been a Child-Development worker, principal of the UCLA Lab School–previously known as UCLA’s Corinne A. Seeds elementary school–and a current Child Development professor at Fresno City College. She is also an amazing artist but she doesn’t prefer to sell her work. Needless to say, her resume is quite the achievement, without me even mentioning the countless hours of community service she has poured into every city she has lived in.
My other grandmother Renee Potik, or “Bubby Nay,” has the greatest sense of humor, creating light in every situation. Even with her recent medical issues, she continues to joke and lighten up every mood. My Bubby Nay, like my Bubby Kay, was many things throughout her life: nurse practitioner in women’s health, gay rights activist, and current leader of a Buddhist meditation group in Fresno. She’s always advocated for peace and prosperity, perfectly aligning with her Buddhist beliefs. I can remember each time we’ve visited their home in Fresno, seeing all of their small buddha statues, Bonsai-Esque plants and my Bubby Nay letting me mess around with her miniature zen garden.
My Bubbies spent most of their lives fighting for their love to finally be sealed by an official marriage, a fight they won in 2008 when they finally became a wedded couple. I just hope their sacrifices and impact on me will be recognized during the month of pride.
read more about Marques here
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