Wednesday, November 5, 2008

The Queer Spirit Will Live On...

Today is a mixed bag of emotions for America's LGBTQ community. We stand in solidarity with our African-American brothers and sisters witnessing the historic occasion of the election of a bi-racial president. We have a president-elect who respects LGBTQ people and even mentioned us in his victory speech. We have also made gains of pro-equality seats throughout the national and state governments.

Regardless of whether one is a republican, democrat, moderate or apathetic, one cannot help but be elated to be part of the history that has been made last night. However, one break through is not enough. We have also witnessed last night that a history of oppression and a denial of civil liberties continues. The LGBT community had five important propositions on the ballot and we have lost most. Florida and Arizona have passed marriage bans. California will likely write discrimination into the constitution and a legal mess will ensue as to how to deal with the 18,000 plus gay/lesbian couples who have tied the knot. Arkansas is denying unmarried parents the right to adopt or foster children, which is a direct aim at gay adoption rights. Connecticut has rejected a constitutional convention.

President-elect Barack Obama inspires me when he says "we are not a red America or a blue America, a black America or white America, a gay America, or a straight America, we are the United States of America." I think right now this is a vision of hope, and that currently we are divided. The passing of these propositions shows that America still has deep fear, hatred, and disgust for queer people. It is hurtful and it is depressing but we must continue our fight.

We are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersexual, asexual, and straight allies. We must be united and not divided in our fight for true equality for all sexual and gender minorities. We have our differences, but our passions are the same. We want to live our lives as who are, with whom we want, and the way we want. We want protections for our families. That is our vision that is our hope, please don't give up. We never thought we would see the day when an African-American man becomes president. Now we know we will see the day for a brighter America, where the rainbow will shine and one day LGBT people too will rise above the bigotry and hatred that the majority has bestowed upon us.

16 comments:

capybara said...

I think Obama might just be the man to help bring equality and tolerance to so called minority groups. Freedom for all as long as it has no negative impact on others. Thats what I say.

miss M said...

im so ready for an Obamanation!

Sadie said...

I support gays. I do not support Obama.

Anonymous said...

Over the past 10 years or more, I believe America has been slowly but warmly embracing the LGBTQ community. Shows such as Will and Grace, Ellen, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, etc. have been helping to change the stigma that Gays only hang out in night clubs and have parties. I believe what happened with Prop8 is this issue became an "Us against them" issue. The Yes on 8 campaign received quite a bit of wave of negative accusations and criticism which they used to their advantage. You can't simply attack the Christian right, you need to get them on your side as you had been doing for years. I think that was the major problem. Keep getting that positive message out!

Anonymous said...

I also believe Obama will be the president that faciltates our full equality. However, I think we may have to wait until his second term. If he does too much too soon it may ruin his chances for a second term. Our fight should continue, of course. Hopefully most of us will understand if he is not as helpful (at first) as we wish. Bless him and his family and KEEP HIM SAFE!

Anonymous said...

Dear Larry in Miami,
That is exactly the right tone for success.
God Bless!

Scot said...

I read here that the Ct ballot question failed. Please let that bit of good news be true, on such a difficult day.

Queers United said...

Yes Scot, it is a bad day but not as bad as I thought last night. The Connecticut prop 1 did fail. Also, there may be up to 3 million absentee ballots yet to be counted in California, so we can still hold out hope there. Oh, and Jared Polis first openly gay man to be elected to congress which is great.

Anonymous said...

I agree. It's a bittersweet day. For the most "democratic" and "free" country on earth, we still have a lot of work to do. As a white person, I am celebrating Obama's victory. But yes, it's a bittersweet day:

http://thebruceblog.wordpress.com/2008/11/05/the-election-is-bittersweet-for-gays-here-are-the-results/

Laurie said...

Some of the kids at school today were
talking about the election....Now, lets
hope that all works the way it should...

HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

the propositions banning gay marriage really bother me. i don't think it's anyone's place to take someone's rights away.

|Queer Rose said...

Great post. Could this be a golden opportunity to foster greater unity within the gay community? QRx

Sabertooth Screaming Lemur said...

Great post. I have a lot of hope that this unjust debacle in CA will be overturned/repealed/whatever. I have hope that we will finally gain all the rights we deserve. Ra-men, QU!

Anonymous said...

I support the right of every citizen to live the lifestyle of their choice, as long as it does not interfere with the lives and safety of others.

Anonymous said...

The election was very exciting.

Anonymous said...

Thinking back to ENDA, SONDA, and 40+ years of gay on trans hate, I can only say:

Karma's a bitch.

(In all fairnedd, nontrans LGB types attitude towards trans women is softening, but just a bit, and mostly cosmetically.)

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