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.