Call them steps in the process. Because that’s really what’s happening in Massachusetts and California and New York. It’s a systematic folding-in of the issue of gay marriage (folding in, as it’s used in cooking). I look forward to seeing where this goes. After all, San Francisco’s mayor looks forward to the constitutional challenge that the court avenue will provide, Massachusetts’ amendment will provide for civil union (not ideal, certainly separatist but better than an outright denial of rights) and the window of marriages before the amendment comes before the people hasn’t clearly been shut. As well, we’re having our victories, ironic and otherwise: Peter “het marriage only prop” Knight’s son getting married in San Francisco; P-Town gearing up to become the place to marry in Massachusetts, and, locally, I’ve seen more Marriage Equality stickers on cars in the last two weeks than I have in the last year — and one of them was a teenager’s car at my daughter’s school. Heck, even the Log Cabin Republicans — whom I’ve always seen as more of an Uncle Tom’s Cabin — are making the right kind of momentum.
We also have our aches and pains and some of us were immediately hurt, but words and pictures reach out. They humanize. I have friends I admire speaking out through personal and highly public media. And I have dear friends who married. Take the time to look at their wedding pictures, won’t you? Every time I look at them, not only do I smile for my friends (Congrats Greg and Ian!!), but I cannot for the life of me wonder why our president refuses to recognize the colorful and beautiful diversity shown there with the equal accord that he gives to other people of American diversity. As my son would say, couging into his hand: “hypocrite!”
(Yes, I do think it’s cute that instead of “blowjob!” — remember Animal House? — he and his friends use “hypocrite!”)
Here in Connecticut, we’re dealing with a knee-jerk campaign to create a DOMA law. I wasn’t able to attend the counter rally yesterday (sick kid, home with a cold and asthma), but I am going to write to my legislators and let them know I want my friends and family to have the same rights I have. In coming days, I’m sure I’ll see the billboards and banners the DOMA forces are putting up, but I’m taking heart in the fact that our judiciary committee leaders are for equal rights and hardly any legislators showed up for the DOMA press conference.
But otherwise…
So John Ashcroft is gearing up to battle pornographers? I’m glad pornographers are now a wealthy bunch who can withstand the financial impact of battling the legal system and I hope they win. Why? Because I don’t believe the government really believes in protecting my speech. Hell, my diary and its inner domains would’ve gotten me arrested in weaker first amendment times.
I’m sad that Spalding Gray has passed this moral veil and in such tragic terms, but I found this eulogy via a nudist beach wonderfully uplifting. Thank you, Suz Redfearn — you help his spirit live on.
Last but not least, welcome Lustfilter and thank you for syndicating me! Dang, maybe it’s time I finally got around to syndicating my diary — I’ve been so lax in those little administrative chores that make all the difference in the world. Like updating the blogroll. Methinks it’s time to change all that. I got my work cut out for me.
