Personal Thoughts on Prop 8
Back in November, when Proposition 8 won the popular vote, I wrote down some of my thoughts and feelings in the form of a letter to the State of California. At the time, I remember feeling angry, depressed, frustrated, and disappointed... and I share some of those feelings to a greater or lesser degree, now. I'm tired of being a second-class citizen, of living under a government that proclaims, "Equal rights for all! (Except for the gays.)".
I went to the protest in San Francisco on Tuesday. I did so because all those personal reasons aside, I have a duty to every LGBT person alive.
I'm somewhat ashamed to admit that a friend had to remind me of this duty. My excuse is that I am tired -- tired of being angry and frustrated and depressed, and tired of speaking to people who just don't understand that the current system hurts people--sometimes very badly--and feeling as though I'm banging my head against a brick wall.
Listen to me--there is nothing wrong with [us]. [We] are not sick, and [we] are not wrong, and God does not hate [us]. -- Milk
So I went, to be present and to add myself to the count of those willing to stand up for civil rights. I went to hear and discuss what's planned for 2010 and beyond; to help get ready for the battles ahead. I didn't go to protest the Supreme Court ruling -- it is what it is, and objections to it, at this point, are useless. In some respects, I think the Supreme Court had to make the decision it did, but I'll talk about that in another post.
I hope, time permitting, I'll be able to take a more active role this time. I know the best thing I can do is to out myself: "to live as an example of an out, successful bisexual man." My story, and the stories of countless other LGBTs--many of whom have endured discrimination of a nature far worse than I--need to be told. Our work is not done until no fewer than every single one of Earth's children understands the violence and hatred that is embodied in the meaning of the word "faggot".
Compassion is the most powerful instrument of all. It will stamp out anger, fear, and even hatred. We must share our stories, and we must be willing to listen to those shared with us.
Everything else will follow.
-- Des
I went to the protest in San Francisco on Tuesday. I did so because all those personal reasons aside, I have a duty to every LGBT person alive.
I'm somewhat ashamed to admit that a friend had to remind me of this duty. My excuse is that I am tired -- tired of being angry and frustrated and depressed, and tired of speaking to people who just don't understand that the current system hurts people--sometimes very badly--and feeling as though I'm banging my head against a brick wall.
Listen to me--there is nothing wrong with [us]. [We] are not sick, and [we] are not wrong, and God does not hate [us]. -- Milk
So I went, to be present and to add myself to the count of those willing to stand up for civil rights. I went to hear and discuss what's planned for 2010 and beyond; to help get ready for the battles ahead. I didn't go to protest the Supreme Court ruling -- it is what it is, and objections to it, at this point, are useless. In some respects, I think the Supreme Court had to make the decision it did, but I'll talk about that in another post.
I hope, time permitting, I'll be able to take a more active role this time. I know the best thing I can do is to out myself: "to live as an example of an out, successful bisexual man." My story, and the stories of countless other LGBTs--many of whom have endured discrimination of a nature far worse than I--need to be told. Our work is not done until no fewer than every single one of Earth's children understands the violence and hatred that is embodied in the meaning of the word "faggot".
Compassion is the most powerful instrument of all. It will stamp out anger, fear, and even hatred. We must share our stories, and we must be willing to listen to those shared with us.
Everything else will follow.
-- Des