new hope but still a long road

Today is a great day in American history, the history of the world. The face of America has changed to one that greater represents who we all are as a nation of many. Tears came to my eyes last night after watching Barack Obama make his winning speech. He embodies the hope I have for this country, to turn away from failed policies to a brighter future.

This morning when I woke my happiness over the events from the night before became bitter sweet. California, the second state in the union for recognize the full rights of its Gay and Lesbian citizens wrote discrimination into its constitution under the guise of protecting the "family." Yet, how does protecting "family" then mean tearing apart the family of Gay and Lesbian couples? Are not Gays and Lesbians part of families or are we as a group separate from the greater nucleus of humanity?? It makes me wonder.

Social justice is not easy to create and it will be a long and hard road until every American is recognized and treated the same under the law. It is my belief though that in electing Obama we are sending a signal that we are finally on the path to true equality of all people. Brave citizens are already challenging the discrimination of Proposition 8 as I write this. We must be a bold unified people and fight for the rights of others and not just ourselves. When discrimination is allowed it does not just hurt the group that it wishes to remove from the larger social structure of America, but it damages all Americans. Hopefully with a leader like Barack Obama we as a nation can come together instead of separate, and remove hurdles that bar equality.

Into The Night Life

Cyndi Lauper / Into The Night Life

This is my favorite song on Cyndi's new album Bring Ya To The Brink. Anyway, I came upon the music video after I saw a snippet on The View today. So enjoy the genius that is Cyndi Lauper. Also if you get the chance to see Cyndi live this year on her True Colors Tour I suggest you go. She is amazing experince live!

Happy Pride

This past Saturday was Pride in Boston. This was my first time going to Pride in Boston and it was a lot of fun. I attended the celebration with Amie, Marsha, and Mark. I was surprised at how long the parade actually was and also at the amount of religious organizations that marched. I honestly think there were more religious groups then any other organization present.

After the pride we walked back to Government Center to take a look at the various booths and vendors. I got myself a new rape whistle and some free t-shirts from GMDAP (Gay Men's Domestic Abuse Project). Kat DeLuna was performing on the main stage, but I think we left before she came on. We decided to head over to the South End of the Block Party there, but had to head home before we made it there because Amie had to go to work.

Overall it was a lot of fun, and hopefully next weekend I will be going to Pride in Providence to see Tiffany, yes 80's pop-star Tiffany, perform. I posted some pictures I took of the parade below. Happy Pride Everybody!

Equality Is In Sight

The California Supreme Court ruled today that it is unconditional to deny gay couples the right to marry in the state.

California now joins Massachusetts as the second state to guarantee equal rights its gay citizens and their families.

For the full story click below:
NY Times

This is such great news I'm going to have to celebrate. My own fear is that the foaming at the mouth fanatical christian-right will use this civil rights victory to promote more fear and hatred in middle America. Light always wins in the end.

Pure Light

After my last post I felt compelled to balance the hate and darkness with the only thing that can overpower it, light and love. So here is that light and love manifested in the form of the incomparable and talented Cyndi Lauper singing "True Colors."

May you be open to the light and enjoy :)

Hate with a Smile

The hate of middle America:

Sally Kern a representative of the state of Oklahoma talking about the dangers and the destructiveness in the spread of the "gay life-style." I think my favorite part of her speech is when she says she doesn't hate and isn't any type of gay basher, but she feels that gays are the last nail hammering into America's coffin. She also goes on to state that I being a gay man is more dangerous to this country than terrorists that attacked on 9/11. Sally Kern, you with your hate speech that springs forth from your lips are no different then those terrorists that wish to destroy America's freedom. You are no different then Hitler when he used the Jews as the sacrificial goat to bring about his fascist rule in Germany. You, Sally Kern are a disgrace and disgust me and you Sally Kern is the true danger to America and it's legacy of freedom.

Pretty Funny

From the Big Gay Sketch Show

Christine Ebersole plays Edie Beal in the Broadway production of Grey Gardens which was based on the documentary of the same name about little Edie and her mother. This was a pretty hilarious spoof of both Grey Gardens and Extreme Makeover. Mrs. Ebersole does a knock out job as Edie. Her incarnation as the cult figure is very astonishing and the skit is hilarious. Enjoy :)

Tragic

Ellen DeGeneres speaking on the tragic death of a young boy.

This speaks so well to what I am reading in a book about America and the overwhelming need to appear masculine and the marginalization of any thing that threatens American masculinity. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families affected by this horrible event.

A Message from Senator Clinton

As I have traveled around the country these past twelve months, what I sensed in my heart has been confirmed – America is embracing its LGBT sons and daughters with an acceptance and understanding as never before. On the campaign trail, a father of a gay son will ask about ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. A woman will ask why she can be discriminated against just because of who she is. Sometimes they wait furtively for the crowd to thin and then whisper their confidences in a soft voice and sometimes they stand up proudly at town meetings and want me to share my views on how I will help lead the change to assure that this country fulfills its promise to everyone.

Let me tell you what I have been telling voters across America. I am fully committed to the fair and equal treatment of LGBT Americans. For seven long years, the Bush Administration has tried to divide us - only seeing people who matter to them. It's been a government of the few, by the few, and for the few. And no community has been more invisible to this administration than the LGBT community.

I will change that. The best evidence of what I will do as President is what I have already done.

* I am proud of my record as First Lady, as a U.S. Senator and as a candidate for President in working toward the fair and equal treatment of LGBT Americans.
* I am proud that as Chair of the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee in 2006, I worked closely with LBGT community to develop a smart strategy that defeated the Federal Marriage Amendment. I am proud of fighting the FMA as divisive wedge politics at its worst.
* I am proud to be a co-sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, and the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligation Act which would grant the same benefits (including health insurance) to domestic partners of federal employees that are currently offered to employees’ legal spouses.
* I am proud to have authored the Early Treatment for HIV Act, which expands access to vital treatment options for low-income individuals living with HIV, and fought to fully fund the Ryan White CARE Act.
* I am proud that I hired a National Director of LGBT Outreach within a month of announcing my candidacy for President and to have openly gay and lesbian staffers serving at all levels of my campaign.
* I am proud to have a National LGBT Steering Committee of over 130 that includes openly LGBT elected officials, Board members and opinion leaders on issues ranging from transgender rights, to HIV/AIDS, to “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”.
* I am proud to have marched in Gay Pride parades as both First Lady and as Senator and to have spoken in front of so many LGBT audiences ranging from the Human Rights Campaign, Empire State Pride Agenda, the Hetrick Martin Institute, PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), GMHC (Gay Men’s Health Crisis), and the American Foundation for AIDS Research.
* I am proud to have fought Republican efforts to demonize and marginalize the LGBT community, and I will continue to do that as President.
We have so much work to do. When I am President, we will work together to make sure that all Americans in committed relationships have equal benefits and that nothing stands in the way of loving couples who want to adopt children in need. We're going to expand our federal hate crimes legislation and pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and assure that they are both fully inclusive of all people. And finally, we will put an end to the failed policy of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice – the traits that define our men and women in uniform – have nothing to do with sexual orientation.

My father was a conservative Republican, who held very traditional views for much of his life. Yet in his last years, it was a gay couple who lived next door who provided much of the compassion and comfort he and my mother needed as he grew ill. And it was that same neighbor who held his hand as he died. If my father can move, America can move.

To each and every LGBT American, I say this. You have done so much to help this country understand your lives by simply being open and honest about who you are and living your lives with dignity. Thank you for your courage. It is time that we recognize your hard work. I know that this country is ready for changes in the law that reflect the evolution in our hearts.

America deserves a President who appeals to the best in each of us, not the worst; a President who values and respects all Americans and treats all Americans equally no matter who they are or who they love. I want to be that President. I want to be your President.

Source: HillaryClinton.com