2 steps forward...and one backward...*sigh*

Well here we are. The election of our president for 2008 is finally over. This election in some ways, made me very proud and in other ways, made me ashamed.

I am so very proud of my country for electing a good man to the presidency. I don't see President-elect Obama as "the first black president", although it's obvious that his skin is darker that that of my own.

I see Barack Obama as a good man with good principles who is light years ahead of the man he ran against, with regards to "getting it", and of our current president.

I have never seen such a hateful election. It's unreal to hear fellow Americans chanting "Kill him". It's embarrassing that it came from McCain supporters. John McCain is a good man and someone who loves this country. He was supposed to be better than the mob, and for the most part, he was, however I wish he'd shown more outrage earlier , rather than waiting till nearly the end of the election to speak out and defend Senator Obama as a fellow American. Senator McCain's running mate actively sought to stir the fires of bigotry with name calling and saying things she KNEW were a lie. I really have a problem with her shamelessly appealing to the ultra conservative gutter trash of the far right wing. She LIKED it. That was so wrong and I hope that , someday, her words come back around to bite her. She seems to have a real character flaw about honesty and was a huge mistake for Mr. McCain to make.

I am ashamed that this whole chapter had to happen. I was raised by a mother who wouldn't tolerate her family acting like bigots. I was 10 years old and I remember those stark, black and white TV images of Dr. King's assassination on TV. I remember the wailing mourners. I remember seeing the angry mobs lashing out in the name of vengeance at Dr. Kings murder. I remember asking Mom what they were crying and angry about. Her words struck me square in the heart…."Honey, we are ALL people inside. We all hurt when we lose someone we care about".

Later in my life, I decided to end years of hiding about my own sexuality. I am not ashamed of who or what I am, but goodness knows there are people in this world who WANT me to be ashamed of who I am. I tried to hide by joining the Marine Corps. I tried to hide by having a series of physical relationships with women. I though I could change my orientation by marrying not once, but twice. I tried my best to stifle my conflict inside. The result was I hurt my spouse, my children and both families.

When I finally came out, I got unexpected support from my family. I didn't think they'd understand, but I forgot that my mother had made this family what it was. She was my biggest supporter, along with my sisters. If my brothers supported me, then I never heard word, but I suspect they care. My mother's words "We are all people inside" is with me still. Next week is the second anniversary of my mother's passing. I miss her.

I know that my Mom would be so proud to see Mr Obama elected and see me in a loving, committed relationship with Chris.

I also know that she would be sad, as many in my world are, to see that California has decided via an election, to make gay people second class citizens by taking away their RIGHT to marry. The "majority" voted to take marriage away from gay people.

This is shameful. These gay people are just like me. They are PEOPLE inside.

"Separate but equal" is anything but equal.

I am outraged and sad that this country allows this to happen. This should be challenged in court and I hope our Supreme court will overturn this shameful Prop 8 trash. This is little more that bigoted hate, dressed up as "legislation".

Marriage, some say, is a religious institution. For the RELIGIOUS, I admit, it is to THEM. The problem is that, marriage is a CIVIL matter as well. Even ATHIEST get married legally. People can marry in a church if they chose or they can marry in front of a justice of the peace. People can even be married, according to maritime law, by the captain of a ship.

Gay people aren't asking the people of this country for permission to marry in a church. They are, however, within their rights to be married in the eyes of the law, and with that, entitled to all the benefits of marriage that the law affords to heterosexual people.

Civilizations are judged, and rightly so, on how they treat their citizens, especially the minorities amongst them. My dear country, you are treating gay people like we are not people, but I am reminded by my departed mother's words…"We are all people inside."

America, I am proud of your choice to vote for President-elect Obama. Now, my dear America, let's make our constitution mean something and stop talking about equality and blind justice and equal protection under the law.

Let's stop TALKING about these things and start LIVING these things. Talk is cheap! Our precious country and our Constitution are meaningless if we pick and choose a fellow human beings rights to suit the majority. This is the cowardly act of a bully, not the principled reasoning approach of our country's Constitution. We are all people inside. It is our true greatness as Americans. I urge you all to live up to the ideals of fairness and equal treatment under the law. Anything less is, frankly, not very American.


Peace to all of you who believe as I do, and to those who do not as well.


-Shawn