Counting my Blessings
A few years ago, Texas held a constitutional referendum to protect the institution of marriage from the scourge of homosexuality. I expected the amendment to pass. After all, this is Texas. What I did not expect was that the amendment passed with seventy-five percent of the vote. Seventy-five percent. I was hurt.
And both the major candidates for the democratic nomination in 2008 are against gay marriage. They have to be against gay marriage to win. It hurts.
But it helps that when I post about my commitment to Susan, you sweet souls act as witness to our love and promise your support. It really did turn into the virtual Quaker wedding that Jozet proposed. Susan wrote a response to all of you at the bottom of the First Comes Love post in which she says she wants to print out all of your responses to read when she needs to be affirmed that there are sweet, smart, funny, and supportive people out there. It's a good idea.
So, thank you for being my blog community. It means the world to me.
And both the major candidates for the democratic nomination in 2008 are against gay marriage. They have to be against gay marriage to win. It hurts.
But it helps that when I post about my commitment to Susan, you sweet souls act as witness to our love and promise your support. It really did turn into the virtual Quaker wedding that Jozet proposed. Susan wrote a response to all of you at the bottom of the First Comes Love post in which she says she wants to print out all of your responses to read when she needs to be affirmed that there are sweet, smart, funny, and supportive people out there. It's a good idea.
So, thank you for being my blog community. It means the world to me.
Comments
So...thank YOU, Prof. J. for being honest, open and sharing. You are changing the world for the better.
Hugs! Heidi
But they don't hold sway over us all.
We wish you only the best.
Now, while you hug that compliment, hang on...
Okay. I'm back. I checked again. The value of my marriage CHANGED since you two got married!!!
Your marriage did affect my marriage!!
I got all warm and fuzzy about your sweet story and made a date night for us and we had a nice time and our value went up!
Okay all seriousness...
75%...that is hurtful. I'm sorry; I was in MA then, voting to approve gay marriage.
I am also disappointed that candidates must espouse bigotry to get elected.
I'm glad, though, that you guys got and enjoyed such warm and beautiful affirmations of your relationship...that's what marriage is, really.
Now you need the fringe benefits. I wish I could promise you those.
Oh, right, there is one thing I can do: I got you two a card last week.
If you are okay with it, send me an address I can mail it to j pippert at g mail dot com.
As you know (because we are very old friends)I believe that by standing up and speaking out we WILL make things better- even if not in our own lifetimes. Therefore, I firmly support and applaud your willingness to share your marriage on such a public forum.
TO all of you who have commented: thank you so much for your support and graciousness. It is people like you that give me hope to carry on.
Cheri: Brava! You go girl. I have given up on church after many years of being open and forthright. Not because of the people I went to church with, but because of the hierarchy. (My blog explains the whole thing if you are iterested). But truly amazing things do happen when we stand up and speak out. Thank you 1000x
You two are the best!
I live in Idaho (or Whitey McStraightsville if you prefer) and attend a Quaker meeting that is largely populated by conservative non-denominational Christians, and my moral and political beliefs are certainly not the norm.
I firmly believe that, given the Quakers' historical commitment to social justice issues from slavery to suffrage, we now have an opportunity to wise up and speak out for civil rights for the GLBT community. And I will (nicely) tell anyone who cares to listen.
(PS: Rock on with your bad selves.)
But when you need it, you know you can find it here.