Personal Stories defining the meaning of democracy and America's challenge to live up to its ideas. Equality Collaborative made possible with support from California Council of the Humanities. 

Pacifica resident Laura Siegel tells the story of events surrounding her son's admission to his father that he's gay. In the process Laura and her husband discover, and fall in love with, a part of San Francisco they had previously not known so well.

Lizet Benrey reveals the story of Hirim and Betsy in Life in Rythm/ Vida en Ritmo (English with Spanish subtitles)

A heart breaking emotional story.

One day these young children and their mother were shopping at Walmart and they came across a book. These young chilrdren wanted this book for their dad so their mother bought it for them to give to him for Christmas. On Christmas morning they gave their dad the book. There were smiles from ear to ear and it was clear as day that they loved their dad very much. Their dad put the book on his dresser and kept saying that he would read it one day. The eldest kept asking, Daddy have you read the book yet? And he would always so no, but I will. But before that day came he ended up in prison.

A dad talks about his hardships that started when he was born. He wants to be a good father and hopes to learn how through experience.

The story of a young irresponsible father that decideds it's time to grow up.

As a father I have visions for my son.  For the kind of man he will be, nurturing, powerful, with his own image. The best he can be and learning from his father's mistakes.  I want to be there for him and I want him to be proud of me.

I want to be a part of his life journey.  And to share my emotions freely.  To reach out, to embrace without fear. But sometimes I am a man encaged in my past. In two generations of abuse and broken promises. Not free to embrace my son, to say "I love you" to say "let's go play catch."  I am without images to serve as models from my own past. The pictures where I would stand with my father are empty.  And I am learning to do these things. I give myself today to my son and others. I am a loving father.  And a provider -- friend, caring, shoulder, someone he can talk to.

Gwen Momita shares her gratitude for General Westmoreland's generosity and kindness to her parents who were living in a Japanese Internment camp during WWII.

In loving memory of my precious angel, Jesse Vazquez Love Mom After the murder of her son, a mother tells of the importance of forgiveness.