August 16, 2009 12:23 am
Noelle has been in contact with Lindsey and myself the past couple of days. Lindsey and I wanted to share her story with you and Noelle agreed and wrote this up. We think it shows the power that a person can have in another person’s life and welcome anyone else who has been deeply touched by Bridget in any way to share their stories with us as well. Thank you, Noelle, for your permission to share this!
“Dear Bridget Regan,
My name’s Noelle, and I’m a huge fan of yours. I’m writing this because you’re an absolutely amazing actress and have really changed what Sword of Truth means to me, but you’ve also given me a hope on a whole different level with Camp Wanatachi. Your work on Camp Wanatachi truly has given me hope again. My greatest wish would be if you had the time to read this, so I could personally thank you for what you’ve given me and others everywhere.
I’m just a regular fantasy lover who got into Legend of the Seeker and Sword of Truth to get my swords n’ dragons fix. I grew to love the series and the actors. I really admire your acting and started keeping up with the fansites dedicated to you and your IMDb page. When the articles started coming in about Camp Wanatachi, I can’t fully describe to you how it made a difference in my life.
I’m a 15 year old girl, and I’m a lesbian. Some of my family members and closest friends are extremely homophobic, and I’ve only come out of the closet to a couple people. It hasn’t been easy, hiding my sexuality. Not being able to tell people has made me feel lonely during the tougher times. But when I read the premise of Camp Wanatachi, it made me feel a lot better. I live on the other coast and will probably never see Camp Wanatachi, but even just hearing about it has made me feel not so alone, even hopeful. Though I don’t know the details of the story, I think I can safely assume I’m going through the same problems and struggles the musical addresses. With all of the films and media bits and articles about homosexuals being bad, I’ve felt more alone than I’ve ever felt before. I live in California, and with Prop 8 passing, I’ve kind of felt like the world was closing in on me and there would never be a time where I’d be free to love whomever I wanted to, and it was killing me. But when I first read about Camp Wanatachi, it reminded me that I’m not alone in my struggles. Even beyond that, it has changed the world around me. I’m part of a Legend of the Seeker forum, and I’ve met some pretty homophobic people there. Normally I’m open about my sexuality on forums where my ID is not known, so if I’m harassed I can just leave the forum. On that forum, I even hid my sexuality there. But when it was announced you’d be producing Camp Wanatachi, and the premise was revealed I was surprised and delighted to see how much certain members of the forum have softened and opened their minds. To make a long story short…well, I came out to those members, and they accepted me. I don’t know if I’ve ever felt that good before. I can’t tell you how happy I am, but thank you, Bridget, thank you so much. I can’t thank you enough for this. Camp Wanatachi and the impact it has made has reminded me that I’m not alone, and will never be alone. Even those who have hated me for my sexuality won’t always be my enemy, because you’ve shown me people can change and open their hearts, even when it doesn’t seem like it. It has also reminded me to be open and loving to all those around me, always. I hope you receive this, because I want desperately to tell you the impact Camp Wanatachi will have/is having on people.
Thank you so much, Bridget. For sharing your beautiful gift with the world, undoubtedly brightening the lives of many fantasy fans around the world, and for Camp Wanatachi, giving people hope even if they’ll never see it, and for all your future projects. You’re an amazing person, and I know that the world is a better place because of you.
Good luck with season 2 and good luck with all your future projects!
Sincerely,
Noelle”
Tags: Camp Wanatachi, LotS
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Bridget's Impact | Chris
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By Beth, August 16, 2009 @ 7:47 am
WOW! What a wonderful testimonial. As a 46 year old lesbian and a huge Bridget fan, I can share the sentiment. Ignorance comes in all shapes and sizes – even these days. In the 60’s and 70’s we wouldn’t think of coming out at the age of 15. What a brave young woman. If you read this, hang in there Noelle and know YOU’RE NOT ALONE. Bridget has a very large lesbian following. I would venture to say that even straights are becoming “bi” for this woman
. Hey, does anyone know if Camp Wanatachi will be recorded for purchase?
By Noelle, August 16, 2009 @ 9:27 am
Thanks Beth…that really means a lot to me. I feel more hopeful than I ever have before! And I have to agree with ya, Bridget could enchant anyone.
That would be really awesome if they did. It’d be nice if all us non-New Yorkers had the chance to see it =)
By Chris, August 16, 2009 @ 11:58 am
Just so everyone knows, we haven’t heard anything at all about there being a filming of Camp Wanatachi. It would be nice, but don’t count on it too much. If we hear anything at all about something like that, we’ll report it immediately!
By Jillian, August 16, 2009 @ 9:49 pm
There are a lot of people out there that are so closed minded it just makes me angry. I’m not a lesbian, or bisexual, (but maybe for Bridget, LOL!) however I have many friends and a sister who are, and it just makes me so angry when I think about people judging them. I’m so thankful there are people out there who are in a public position that can spread acceptance to the world. Hopefully someday soon no one will look down on anyone because of who they love. Thanks for your story Noelle, and thanks to Bridget as well for speaking up.
By Bill, August 16, 2009 @ 10:10 pm
To Noelle…
I’m glad you were able to find hope. It’s what makes it possible for the underdogs to rise up and change the world for the better. A lot of people grapple with challenges that others sometimes don’t take the time to understand, but just remember — Bridget or no Bridget (of course we love Bridget), Camp Wanatachi or no Camp Wanatachi — we’re never as alone as we think we are.
To quote the great Samwise Gamgee: There’s some good in this world…and it’s worth fighting for. [Yes, massive Lord of the Rings nerd here
]
In short, keep holding onto the feeling of hope that Bridget has inspired, and I hope she someday gets to see what you wrote.
By Noelle, August 19, 2009 @ 11:08 pm
Thanks Bill! And quite a fantastic quote… totally a massive LOTR nerd here as well =D
By alex, August 26, 2009 @ 2:34 pm
to noelle,
i am not a lesbian and i am not bi, but my brother is a homosexual and i understand about the whole being alone thing because even though it was my brother who was gay people acted as if i was too. i just want you to remember that you arent alone and there are so many people in this world who are not homosexual but we support you all the same. God loves everyone just the same no matter who we love, always remember that.
p.s im a massive fan of all that scifi stuff!!us nerds gotta stick together!!
By Gina, October 11, 2009 @ 5:23 pm
Wow! Bridget your one of a kind! Soo marvelous inside and out and exactly what I imagined as for Kahlan! You suit kahlan’s personality because your strong, intelligent, and hilarious inside and out! I absolutely adore and envy you! Doing a great job and keep it up!
Im actually going to follow my dream and become a R.C.M.P police officer and join the Canine field! All because of Kahlan and Richard! They made me have hope again in life and accomplish my dream!
By Alessia, December 14, 2009 @ 1:56 pm
I’m sorry if my question migh seem a bit….silly…but…what “Camp Wanatachi” is?
By Lindsey, December 14, 2009 @ 8:44 pm
@Alessia Camp Wanatachi is a play that Bridget produces. Click here to read more about it: http://herblueeyes.com/2009/07/15/bridget-produces-new-musical/
By Alessia, December 15, 2009 @ 2:57 pm
oh!!what Camp Wanatachi is about seems interesting as topic. and wooow!!!Bridget produced it!!!
By RandyAW, January 18, 2010 @ 1:33 pm
I may be a day late and a dollar short on this topic but having known many Gays and Lesbians over the years, I can say not many escaped scorn and ridicule. What people put them through is so unwarranted.
Cheers to all involved and it is nice to see that Bridget is as lovely as her smile.
By mauricio, February 11, 2010 @ 10:25 pm
It shouldn’t matter if you’re gay, straight, bi…everyone has a heart. And that heart beats the same for everyone no matter who they love, so no one should treat you differently. Noelle, you rock!