Thoughts on San Diego

Bastard Nation attended the AAC conference in San Diego, CA this weekend. There were about 100 people at the conference, which was an 'open space' conference where topics of discussion were decided on the first day, and things were pretty loose. I gave a talk on adoption reform and the internet, Damsel Plum talked about BN, and Denise C. talked about her site, Voices of Adoption.

First off, let me say that I had an absolute blast hanging with my fellow bastards. Michelle, Deb, Gavi, Denise, Damsel and I were all excellent ambassadors for BN and the response was, in general, extremely positive. We were definitely, as a group, among the youngest people there, even though most of us are hovering in our early thirties. Other younger people who attended were very receptive to BN, and I collected quite a few membership checks, lots of people signed our mailing list, and we sold a lot of buttons.

It was great to have an opportunity to try out our message on a small, essentially hostile group of AAC establishment types plus a larger group of people new to the concept of BN. What it seemed to come down to is, as one conference attendee put it who had no affiliation with BN but was an AAC member, 'it's hard to admit when you've failed, and to hand the baton over to a new generation and a new approach'. I think this is where the conflicts we ran into this weekend stemmed from. The more open-minded folks asked their questions and seemed to genuinely gain a new perspective from our answers. I was thrilled at the number of people who came up to me in the airport or at our table to thank us and let us know how impressed they were by our talent, enthusiasm, and intelligence as a group. The wrapup at the end of the conference included several people speaking to how glad they were to see the group of 'younger' people who were full of enthusiasm and ideas. All in all, it was a good show.

With regard to a very few AAC people who felt it necessary to treat us with an utter lack of basic respect and downright contempt, I tried to keep it all in perspective. (and my fellow bastards kept me reined in. thanks guys:) I know if BN fails, 20 years from now, it will be difficult for me to accept the new generation coming to ask the hard questions, I know I will have to work hard not to be defensive, rude, and downright petty. Hopefully this experience will prepare me better if that day ever comes to pass. I think that BN gained a lot of information that will help us to bring an even more successful entourage to Dallas. Hope to see all of you there in April. Go Bastards!

Shea