The Gay community has been up in arms since Proposition 8 passed in California. Most gay voters believed the influx of never before seen votes that President-Elect Obama brought to this election would help their cause. I mean come on, would a minority group like the blacks really vote for the oppression of another group after what they endured? Apparently so, since the African-American votes on Proposition 8 exceeded 70% for.

Gay political leaders are shocked that this happened and all I can do is shake my head in wonder at their lack of insight into all of this. This election cycle was about something new, changes never before seen. Yet the same face put on the image of Gays is that of a young, flamboyant WHITE boi, or that of a butch WHITE lesbian couple.

I put the blame for the passage of Prop 8 squarely on the shoulders of the political strategists who worked the No on 8 campaign. Look, you can't blame the Mormons, Catholics and Evangelicals that campaigned for it's passage. That is what they believe. So, as a community, the GLBT community should have done so many things differently. Change the face of who and what gays are. Show them as everyday people. Get the images out in the community. Show the black doctors, latin workers, bears, regular guys. More emphasis should have been placed targeting the same groups President-Elect Obama did. That was the deciding force in this election. 40% always votes Republican, 40% always votes Democrat. It was the swing voters, the never before voters that decided this. This group was not lily white and flamboyant. This was decided by people who had never before had a dynamic, charismatic leader speaking for what they pictured as themselves.

Maybe change will never come. I hope it does. I don't admit this too often, but I think it would be nice to be married again one day. I deserve the right to be married and have my spouse be able to care for me and make decisions for me if anything happens. I am not a 2nd class citizen.

Today, all over the country, in most major cities, protests are going on, protesting that Prop. 8 passed in California. Don't you think it is a little late? Shouldn't these people have been more concerned before the election? I know people going to the protests here in Houston. They are telling me they want to bring it to attention. Do they really think no one knows this happened? Activism after the fact is almost never positive. I admit, that I too am falling under this. It is the passage of Prop. 8 that has sparked me to my new activism. However, with me, I am working to change the laws wherever they are not equal.

I am a gay man. My name is Chris.



Our rights do not infringe on yours.