History of Feminism

boston bean

(36,221 posts) Tue Jul 24, 2012, 08:32 AM Jul 2012

First Female U.S. Astronaut, Sally Ride, Comes Out In Obituary

Sally Ride, who died today after a 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer, was the first female U.S. astronaut in space and became friends with Tam O'Shaugnessy at the age of 12. It was not until today, however — nearly 50 years after meeting — that their 27-year romantic relationship was made public.

The pioneering scientist was, a statement from Sally Ride Science announced, survived by "Tam O'Shaughnessy, her partner of 27 years."

With that simple statement — listed alongside her mother, Joyce; her sister, Bear; her niece, Caitlin and nephew, Whitney — Ride came out.

Bear Ride, talking with BuzzFeed, said today, "We consider Tam a member of the family."

http://www.buzzfeed.com/chrisgeidner/first-female-us-astronaut-sally-ride-comes-out

12 replies

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First Female U.S. Astronaut, Sally Ride, Comes Out In Obituary (Original Post) boston bean Jul 2012 OP

The more things change... Smarmie Doofus Jul 2012 #1

Bear Ride also said this: boston bean Jul 2012 #2

I'll give ya' that. Smarmie Doofus Jul 2012 #5

She was married to a man, I believe during her flight. boston bean Jul 2012 #7

I'm not sure I agree with how this is written. Alenne Jul 2012 #3

I agree. redqueen Jul 2012 #4

Maybe it was the first public statment? boston bean Jul 2012 #6

Yes, I hope so. redqueen Jul 2012 #9

It seems as thought it was in the obituary... boston bean Jul 2012 #10

That's kind of what I thought. Just because she hadn't made a public announcement, I can't assume Arkansas Granny Jul 2012 #8

I love this quote and wanted to share it here for anyone who missed it. redqueen Jul 2012 #11

Crosspost; Sally Ride's partner of 27 years denied federal benefits ismnotwasm Jul 2012 #12

Smarmie Doofus

(14,498 posts)

1. The more things change...

Reply to boston bean (Original post)

Tue Jul 24, 2012, 08:38 AM

Jul 2012

.... the more they don't.

>>>Of Sally Ride's sexual orientation, Bear Ride said, "Sally didn't use labels. Sally had a very fundamental sense of privacy, it was just her nature, because we're Norwegians, through and through.">>>

Maybe Sally didn't like labels... but the straight world sure seems to.

Hmmm... yeah; I'm sure she stayed "private" cause she was *Norwegian*. That definitely was the reason.

Christ, what a depressing story.

boston bean

(36,221 posts)

2. Bear Ride also said this:

Reply to Smarmie Doofus (Reply #1)

Tue Jul 24, 2012, 08:49 AM

Jul 2012

Asked about those who would have opposed legal recognition of her sister's relationship, Bear Ride bluntly replied, "Who cares about them, really? There are those who are stubbornly ignorant, and if they want to continue in that, God bless them, but probably best not to talk to my family."

I don't want to jump to any conclusions as to why she wasn't out prior. I guess that is just her decision. I won't judge it.

But also, I do find myself somewhat agreeing with your statement, "the more things change, the more they don't".

Smarmie Doofus

(14,498 posts)

5. I'll give ya' that.

Reply to boston bean (Reply #2)

Tue Jul 24, 2012, 09:38 AM

Jul 2012

The situation ( coming out/no coming out) was more nuanced and complex than the headline implies.

Also... it sounds like Bear was being "pumped" for quotable quotes by whomever was interviewing and was dutifully trying to comply.

AND... she's distraught , having just lost her sister.

(Ya' gotta admit, though that the "Norwegian" explanation has to go down in lgbt lore alongside such unforgettables as "The Twinkie Defense.&quot

boston bean

(36,221 posts)

7. She was married to a man, I believe during her flight.

Reply to Smarmie Doofus (Reply #5)

Tue Jul 24, 2012, 09:43 AM

Jul 2012

I do wonder how much pressure there was on her to not make public statements.

And on the other hand, it's just not for me to say or speculate, I guess.

Alenne

(1,931 posts)

3. I'm not sure I agree with how this is written.

Reply to boston bean (Original post)

Tue Jul 24, 2012, 08:55 AM

Jul 2012

This is a 27 year relationship. This woman "came out" a long time ago. No, she didn't do an "I'm gay" people magazine cover but that doesn't mean she was not out to the people around her and in her community. Is every gay semi famous and famous person supposed to put out a press release on their relationship? Isn't seeing them in long term same sex relationships enough.

redqueen

(115,103 posts)

4. I agree.

Reply to Alenne (Reply #3)

Tue Jul 24, 2012, 09:05 AM

Jul 2012

Saying she "came out" seems to imply she was closeted.

The way this has been presented has been bothering me. It seems disrespectful to me.

boston bean

(36,221 posts)

6. Maybe it was the first public statment?

Reply to redqueen (Reply #4)

Tue Jul 24, 2012, 09:40 AM

Jul 2012

I assume it must have been agreed upon before her death.

redqueen

(115,103 posts)

9. Yes, I hope so.

Reply to boston bean (Reply #6)

Tue Jul 24, 2012, 10:12 AM

Jul 2012

I don't mean to say that it's wrong, it's just that since I don't know how she felt about it, there's this twinge of discomfort, like I'm being told gossip or glancing at headlines on a tabloid.

boston bean

(36,221 posts)

10. It seems as thought it was in the obituary...

Reply to redqueen (Reply #9)

Tue Jul 24, 2012, 10:41 AM

Jul 2012

but I do understand. I feel a bit the same way..

Arkansas Granny

(31,519 posts)

8. That's kind of what I thought. Just because she hadn't made a public announcement, I can't assume

Reply to Alenne (Reply #3)

Tue Jul 24, 2012, 09:53 AM

Jul 2012

that the people who mattered to her did not know. I've seen interviews with her and documentaries about the space program that featured her and she always struck me as a person who just wanted to do her job without a lot of fuss or fanfare. Maybe she chose to keep her private life just that - private.

redqueen

(115,103 posts)

11. I love this quote and wanted to share it here for anyone who missed it.

Reply to boston bean (Original post)

Tue Jul 24, 2012, 11:12 AM

Jul 2012

http://m.cbsnews.com/fullstory.rbml?catid=57478225&feed_id=null&videofeed=null

...

Retired astronaut Eileen Collins, who called Ride an important mentor during her career, said the Sally Ride Science foundation did important and great work.

"Sally Ride was someone who was a fabulous role model for young girls who were aspiring to study math, science -- someone who was able to direct young girls who were interested in math and science to stay in math and science," Collins said. "That's what she believed in."

In March of this year, at a speech at the Allegheny County Women's Leadership Council in Pennsylvania, Ride said the reason more women aren't in science has nothing to do with whether or not women are good at math.

"The reasons are not reasons of interest or aptitude," Ride said, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "The reasons are in our culture and subtle stereotypes that still exist. ... Even though we're trying to get rid of them, they're still there. It's easy to picture. You ask a kid to draw a scientist, they'll draw a geeky-looking guy that looks like Einstein, with a lab coat and a pocket protector, with no friends, who does work at 2 in the morning in a lab with no windows and no doors. No 12-year-old girl aspires to that."

...

ismnotwasm

(41,989 posts)

12. Crosspost; Sally Ride's partner of 27 years denied federal benefits

Reply to boston bean (Original post)

Tue Jul 24, 2012, 02:02 PM

Jul 2012

Last edited Tue Jul 24, 2012, 02:43 PM - Edit history (1)

Thank you ProSense

DOMA: Sally Ride's Partner of 27 Years Denied Federal Benefits. Is Romney Smiling?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021008987

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