Historic Night

I'm also immensely relieved that Sarah Palin won't be one step away from the Presidency. The only downside is no more Tina Fey.

It's all tempered, though, by my intense disappointment in the people in California. Prop 8 looks like it's going to pass, and I just don't understand it. I'm wavering between anger, sadness, and cynicism. On a day when we've been able to overcome one type of prejudice, it's clear that we're still not at a time to overcome another type of prejudice.

I'm angry at all the fear-mongering that went on in these past months. The fear that if kids were taught about gay marriage in school (which wasn't going to happen - the kids that went on a field trip to the gay wedding? It was their teacher's wedding, but the trip was organized by one of the parents, and all the kids had signed consent, and two parents opted out) that it would "turn them gay."

I'm sad because it wasn't that long ago that there were laws on the books that banned interracial marriages. We've come far enough along to realize that's wrong, but we're not enlightened enough to realize the same about homosexuals. It's racist to say, "I don't mind a black man being President, but I wouldn't want one to marry into my family." How is saying, "I don't mind gays, but I don't think they should be allowed to marry" not homophobic? Separate, but equal is prejudicial.

And I'm really sad, because I worry how this is going to affect my cousin. Mark and Chris have been together for 11 years, and they were so happy on their wedding day. These are two people who clearly love each other, and all they wanted was to be able to marry. No one has to get married, but it's our way of expressing our love and commitment to another person. I see no reason why they're any less deserving of this than Marc and I are. Neither of us is religious in the least, and while I fully respect those who see marriage as a religious institution, for many of us it's not, and the law, and most of society, has no problem with that. Unless you're gay. And that's really what it comes down to.

I'm trying not to be angry about this. And I'm trying not to let this make me completely disillusioned with people. I have hope that one day we'll all be enlightened enough to come around on this issue, just like we have so many others. I'll try not to be disappointed that it's taking us so long.

Anyways, that's my political soapbox for the year.