Legalizing Gay Marriage

Yesterday (Aug. 4Th, 2010) the state of California rendered proposition 8 -the definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman only- as unconstitutional. The streets became dense with celebratory Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Transgendered (LGBT) community members. Rainbow flags waved as if the rumored pot of gold had been found and distributed among the masses. Those couples who had long awaited the right to be issued a legal marriage license clamored to the city clerks office with media cameras and reporters in tow, in anticipation of being the first among the masses to legally marry their same sex partner. The clerks issued no such licenses, it would seem all of the celebration in the streets began way to soon.

The decision made by Judge Vaughn Walker was a huge step in the correct direction for sure, but fell far short of the desired goal. Many LGBT people felt short changed when they realized that the outcome made little to no difference in the daily routine surrounding the LGBT community. The disappointed faces of those standing at the county clerks desk, spoke far louder than did the decision itself. What went wrong? Why did so many misunderstand what the reality of this win was about?

"....So, my dear sweet and butch community, dust off your pom-poms and put on your pumps, trim up the neckline and slip on the loafers, because the team needs even more of your spirit and backing than ever!"

www.eqca.org

Did we misunderstand what we were actually fighting for? Did we donate our hard earned money for a cause we thought would result in something that it didn't? What is the real story and how do we make our ultimate goal the reality we imagine it to be? All of these are perfect questions that need to be addressed. So let's get started...

Did we really understand this court battle? I don't think we did. It may have turned society in the right direction towards equal rights for marriage for all people, but it wasn't the Holy Grail we had hoped it would be. In many of the reported blogs we found urgent requests to contribute to the cause and fight for our right to marry with full legal rights. In a way, this may have been the misleading edge of the debate. As we take the "W" statistically, what have we actually paid for?

Looking in on the outcome of yesterdays court decision we find it may well become a mute point as the Associated press reported that Protect Marriage - the coalition of right-wing religious groups that sponsored prop 8 - filed an appeal this morning in action against Judge Vaughn Walker's historic ruling to strike down the discriminatory initiative. Walker had no choice but to order both sides to submit written arguments by this Friday as he decides whether to okay the stay in the case. So what have we won? We have won the position of defending rather than prosecuting. The tides may well have turned and in our favor after all.

What about all the money we donated to the fight? Did this money find its way into the heat of battle or was it squandered on frivolous gossip and bitch-fest's? When we observe the trial and the participants that stood in front of Judge Walker, we can determine the worthiness of our dollars spent. The brilliant minds and team for the LGBT community was unmatched. We had representation from the republican political arena that stood miles above the defense team in reputation and knowledge. This first win for our side, it is just the initial step of many and will require more of our community dollars to keep the pace we have established in this first neck of the race. Your donations, they are part of the successful equation that gave us the hard 'W' in this case.

So, what is the real story here? We are finally getting a respectable response from the entire population. The words gay, lesbian, bi and transgendered are resulting in less reaction and more understanding. The society where the majority have in the past feared or scoffed at our lifestyle (our nature not our choice) is turning the corner of acceptance and rendering open arms to many of us. I am by no means saying that there aren't those who would rather see us hanging from the gallows, (as was depicted on NOM protest signs) because they are many, and these bigots chanting, "Hang 'em high!" may well be leading the charge.

Our battle today has become more a conformation rather than that of conventional thought. We must take up our shields and prepare for further encounters while remaining safe, yet courageous in the face of the next affront. So, my dear sweet and butch community, dust off your pom-poms and put on your pumps, trim up the neckline and slip on the loafers, because the team needs even more of your spirit and backing than ever! Do your part by helping with the next lap of our race for marriage equality. Go to the courage campaign blog and see where you can do the most good with your time, your mind or your dime!

"get ready, get set, Go Team!!"