November 5, 2008
This graphic is from CNN.com. In green you will see all of the CA counties who voted “NO” on Prop 8. In turquoise you will see all of the CA counties who voted “YES” on Prop 8. Please note that the sliver of green right above LA is Santa Barbara, and not LA. LA actually went 50% to 50% on the issue according to CNN. Case in point, it just seems like there’s alot more work to be done in terms of gay rights and it’s a real gut check for the many of us that may have felt that we’ve evolved enough socially to the point where our fellow citizens are more accepting of our gay differences—a difference that is not beyond the control of nature. Perhaps it’s idealistic thinking. I’m sure many opponents would be the first to point this out. That said, so long as the dream isn’t crushed, and so long as you go on living your life, allowing those who think differently than you to realize the bigger truth that wanting and valuing the same things is actually something that can bond versus divide, then hopefully we can continue to progress on the road toward equality. It’s important to stay resiliant. And though the State may again have to power to take away your right to marry, they cannot take away your right to love. On that same point, how many of us even find that special person they want to marry? It can take several lifetimes to find your person—that is a kind of love that can never be taken away. And although it may not be recognized legally, at least you’ve found your person. Obviously, it’s ‘easier said than done’ to look over this perspective, when the reality is that when you wish and care about having an equal opportunity so deeply and with as much resolve, you want to be able to fully realize that dream right away. Again, it’s important that we don’t let the bumps in the road derail or stop the overall movement. Even after all of this, I still have hope that it’ll happen sooner rather than later. Hell, we just elected our nation’s first African American President. And history is what we make of it. The reality is that the story in our gay history does not end here.

This graphic is from CNN.com. In green you will see all of the CA counties who voted “NO” on Prop 8. In turquoise you will see all of the CA counties who voted “YES” on Prop 8. Please note that the sliver of green right above LA is Santa Barbara, and not LA. LA actually went 50% to 50% on the issue according to CNN. Case in point, it just seems like there’s alot more work to be done in terms of gay rights and it’s a real gut check for the many of us that may have felt that we’ve evolved enough socially to the point where our fellow citizens are more accepting of our gay differences—a difference that is not beyond the control of nature.

Perhaps it’s idealistic thinking. I’m sure many opponents would be the first to point this out. That said, so long as the dream isn’t crushed, and so long as you go on living your life, allowing those who think differently than you to realize the bigger truth that wanting and valuing the same things is actually something that can bond versus divide, then hopefully we can continue to progress on the road toward equality.

It’s important to stay resiliant. And though the State may again have to power to take away your right to marry, they cannot take away your right to love. On that same point, how many of us even find that special person they want to marry? It can take several lifetimes to find your person—that is a kind of love that can never be taken away. And although it may not be recognized legally, at least you’ve found your person.

Obviously, it’s ‘easier said than done’ to look over this perspective, when the reality is that when you wish and care about having an equal opportunity so deeply and with as much resolve, you want to be able to fully realize that dream right away. Again, it’s important that we don’t let the bumps in the road derail or stop the overall movement.

Even after all of this, I still have hope that it’ll happen sooner rather than later. Hell, we just elected our nation’s first African American President. And history is what we make of it. The reality is that the story in our gay history does not end here.

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