So I try to avoid political discussion…in general it seems like a good way to fight, especially since I have friends with pretty divergent opinions. But some things really do need to be said. I’m sad to say I lost a lot of faith in the American people on Nov. 2. I won’t say I’m a Democrat, but I do consider myself to be extremely liberal, so I found the election results to be dissappointing. In Oregon, as well as in 10 other states, there was also voting to define marriage as a union only between a man and a woman. And in every state, those measures passed. I guess there are more bigots in this country than I thought. I got a forwarded email, which I usually delete out of hand, but I happened to read it, and I thought I’d post it here:
November 3, 2004
“Today is a rough, uncertain day for many people and for many reasons.
But I write this for one specific purpose.
If you have a homosexual friend or loved one in your life, please take
the time to call or write to them this week. Please take the time to
tell them that they are not less than equal in your eyes - that they
are not less than human - that they are not less than American. If
you have a homosexual friend or loved one in your life, please make
sure you vote to support their human and American status.
But if you are someone who supports bans on gay marriage, civil unions
and the like - if you support political candidates who also feel this
way - then be honest. Turn to your homosexual friend or loved one and
say to them: “You are less than human. You are not as American as I
am.” Because there’s no getting around the facts. There’s no getting
around inequality. There is no avoiding the truth. Come clean and
own your beliefs either way. Better to know where you stand.
In 11 states, voters overwhelmingly approved measures that ban
homosexuals from pursuing part of the American dream. And in voting
President George W. Bush back into office - a president who loudly
supports such measures, Americans have spoken clearly on their ideas
about “moral values”. The Supreme Court is about to change. Numerous
civil liberties are in danger. You see, there is the terrorism of
those who attacked us on September 11, but honestly, nothing is more
terrifying than that which lives right in our own government - a moral
dictatorship on the rise.
I declare today, if you are not in support of full equal rights for
gays, lesbians and all other members of the Queer community, you have
no place in my life. Remove me from your phone lists. Remove me from
your email lists. Remove me from your address books. Pretend I exist
no more. I will not offer you tolerance because some things cannot be
tolerated. Some things are simply that clear. As a gay man, I am
horrified by this day. I feel a sadness like no other. I also still
have great love in my heart. This declaration does not come from a
place of hatred, but from a place of love and truth.
I give you my truth today. I urge you all to look deep within
yourselves and do the same.”
Shame on you, America.