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Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Todayis a mixed bag of emotions for America's LGBTQ community. We stand in
solidarity with our African-American brothers and sisters witnessing
the historic occasion of the election of a bi-racial president. We have
a president-elect who respects LGBTQ people and even mentioned us in
his victory speech. We have also made gains of pro-equality seats
throughout the national and state governments.
Regardless of
whether one is a republican, democrat, moderate or apathetic, one
cannot help but be elated to be part of the history that has been made
last night. However, one break through is not enough. We have also
witnessed last night that a history of oppression and a denial of civil
liberties continues. The LGBT community had five important propositions
on the ballot and we have lost most. Florida and Arizona have passed
marriage bans. California will likely write discrimination into the
constitution and a legal mess will ensue as to how to deal with the
18,000 plus gay/lesbian couples who have tied the knot. Arkansas is
denying unmarried parents the right to adopt or foster children, which
is a direct aim at gay adoption rights. Connecticut has rejected a
constitutional convention.
President-elect Barack Obama inspires
me when he says "we are not a red America or a blue America, a black
America or white America, a gay America, or a straight America, we are
the United States of America." I think right now this is a vision of
hope, and that currently we are divided. The passing of these
propositions shows that America still has deep fear, hatred, and
disgust for queer people. It is hurtful and it is depressing but we
must continue our fight.
We are lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, queer, intersexual, asexual, and straight allies. We must
be united and not divided in our fight for true equality for all sexual
and gender minorities. We have our differences, but our passions are
the same. We want to live our lives as who are, with whom we want, and
the way we want. We want protections for our families. That is our
vision that is our hope, please don't give up. We never thought we
would see the day when an African-American man becomes president. Now
we know we will see the day for a brighter America, where the rainbow
will shine and one day LGBT people too will rise above the bigotry and
hatred that the majority has bestowed upon us.
AJ