Schadenfreude…Last night was all about celebrating. We nodded our heads at McCain’s quite pleasant acceptance speech and gushed at Barack’s beautiful words.
Then we lit off fireworks and walked out to MLK and Alberta shouting “Yes, we can” loud enough and long enough to make us all hoarse this morning. Though it was cold and rainy, we walked all the way to the Obama headquarters on 15th and Killingsworth, which were filled with that weird and often wonderful mix of people that Northeast has become.
Cars honked and cyclists cheered on our tiny little parade. The sense of camaraderie was amazing. And for the first time in a long time, it felt so good to say that I’m proud to be an American. It felt like the world was one, celebrating together. And as sappy as this sentiment may be, it’s important to acknowledge that this election meant so much, not just to American politics, but to American hearts.
People wanted change and they got it. The Senate and House are both Democrat-controlled and states that hadn’t seen the color blue in a very long time are swimming in a sea of Obama love.
Unfortunately, not all is well.
Actor Sacha Baron Cohen, left, talks to a man with a sticker that reads “Yes on Prop 8” during a Yes on Prop. 8 rally … and that guy’s not gay? Seriously?Despite being a fairly solidly blue state, despite Hollywood and the gay mecca of San Francisco, the AP is reporting that California has passed Proposition 8, the ban on gay marriage.
Ban-gay-marriage amendments have also been approved in Arizona and Florida, and Arkansas voters approved a measure banning unmarried couples from serving as adoptive or foster parents.
This world is still very dangerous for LGBT people and it disheartens me to hear about all these losses, even as I am overjoyed at so much this morning. But yesterday I could scarcely believe that a black man could really be elected in 2008 and this morning it is a reality. So I still have faith that some day soon queer people will also be equal. Someday we will have a gay president. I just hope I live to see it.
I appreciate your sappiness ~ it’s appropriate for the mixed emotion of the current turn of tides. I can totally imagine the NE parade last night!
And yes ~ we can!
These developments may be disheartening to Mr. Hector, but are perfectly understandable and show that in California democracy is still functioning. The case for same-sex marriage has not been convincingly made. Voters are justifiably concerned about end-run efforts to establish a same-sex marriage “right” without input from the public. What do I mean by this? Well, the abortive effort to legalize same-sex marriage in Multnomah county is a perfect example. Government by stealth and democracy don’t mix. No wonder the voter backlash was so huge and the perpetrators of that outrage were turned out of office.
Voters also sense correctly that “legislation from the bench” on this subject is illegitimate. Judges shouldn’t be able to alter hundreds of years worth of consensus on the nature of marriage based on a strained reading of a state constitution’s bill of rights. This issue is so momentous and revolutionary that a referendum is the only reasonable way to regulate it. Proposition 8 is perfectly correct in this regard. The citizens of California are endeavoring to maintain their sovereign right to determine their laws in the face of pressure their elected representatives apparently can’t resist. Good for them!
These developments may be disheartening to Mr. Hector, but are perfectly understandable and show that in California democracy is still functioning. The case for same-sex marriage has not been convincingly made. Voters are justifiably concerned about end-run efforts to establish a same-sex marriage “right” without input from the public. What do I mean by this? Well, the abortive effort to legalize same-sex marriage in Multnomah county is a perfect example. Government by stealth and democracy don’t mix. No wonder the voter backlash was so huge and the perpetrators of that outrage were turned out of office.
Voters also sense correctly that “legislation from the bench” on this subject is illegitimate. Judges shouldn’t be able to alter hundreds of years worth of consensus on the nature of marriage based on a strained reading of a state constitution’s bill of rights. This issue is so momentous and revolutionary that a referendum is the only reasonable way to regulate it. Proposition 8 is perfectly correct in this regard. The citizens of California are endeavoring to maintain their sovereign right to determine their laws in the face of pressure their elected representatives apparently can’t resist. Good for them!
My name is Roger Walcker. I have “come out” twice in my life. First as an “out and proud ” gay architect. Secondly, since July 2006, I have been HIV+. Believe me, HIV still sucks and there is still no cure. But I am SO happy to be living in Downtown Portland, Old Town Chinatown district. I live 5 block from CAP (Cascade AIDS Project) on SW 5th and from the Men’s Wellness Center gay and bi men who are HIV positive on SW Stark. I walled to Pioneer Square for the 2008 AIDS Walk on October 12″. I was astounded at the 13,000 people gathered to fight HIV AIDS. I talked to Jeff Merkley personally. He spoke to the group, as did Ron Wyden and then Sam Adams. Then Sam introduced Michael Kaplan, the new Director of CAP. I could see Michael’s eyes tear up as he walked to the podium. He said he and his partner, Sean, had moved to Portland from DC 6 weeks ago. They LOVE Portland, Oregon and the people gathered for the AIDS Walk. He said he has been HIV+ for 16 years. Much applause. He then asked those of us who are HIV+ and wanted to let others know our status to walk to the podium. There were 60 of us. then he asked everybody to observe a minute of silence to remember those who have died of HIV and AIDS. I was not the only one to be crying during that time. I cried unashamedly, proudly, with hope for the future. we walked 3 1/2 miles and earned $300,000 for CAP. I am so blessed to have 2 fabulous doctors at Legacy Good Samaritan. Dr. James Sampson ins my HIV / AIDS specialist. Dr. Preston Peterson is my Personal Care Physician. Both my doctors are GAY and have long-term partners. Dr. Sampson and Jeff “came out” together 40 years ago. Dr. Peterson and his partner David have been together 5 years. I think God has brought me to Portland at this time in my life to minister to people. I tell people my story. I tell gay and straight, men and women about my life. I get a wonderful reception from all. Even hugs and kisses (unfortunately all the kisses have been from women, but a kiss is still a kiss). I tell them “I am NOT an HIV victim, I am a HIV SURVIVOR.” I also tell them ” HIV and AIDS is NOT a mental exercise. It is NOT something you see on TV or read about in a newspaper or a magazine. It is ME, Roger Walcker, a proud gay man with HIV+. I want theme to see me as I am, healthy, happy, thriving and optimistic about my future here in Portland. I tell them I still plant to live to be 103, HIV be damned. I was hoping Prop 8 in California would be defeated. It wasn’t, but the previous time it was voted on in California, we lost by 28 percent. There has been great progress in the GLBT community nationwide, and here in Oregon. I was at the Jupiter Hotel on May 20th, when Sam Adams was elected mayor of Portland. When he takes office January 1st, he will be the gay mayor of the largest city in the USA, third largest in the world after Paris and Berlin. I get free tickets to all the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus. I tell them “Your beautiful music is God’s healing for me”. It is and they are fabulous. My phone number is (503) 206-8221. I would love to meet new folks in Portland. God bless Portland, Oregon and you. Sincerely, Roger Walcker (and yes my last name IS spelled queerly).