Hope for Equality

[Kixel]

I don’t often post, and I’ve never posted in this forum. There is something I wanted to say, though. Right now, I know many of us are angry. Though I can’t understand exactly what the members of the GLBT community feel, I can be pissed that America isn’t living up to what it is supposed to be. You deserve equal rights.

That being said, I would like to share a story of hope with you. Let me tell you about my father. He’s a man I love with all my heart. He grew up in rural Minnesota where the only diversity is Catholics and Lutherans (I’m not kidding). My Dad is a die hard Catholic Democrat. I’m pretty sure ten years ago he would have been totally anti-gay marriage. After a few conversations, we talked about how unfair the laws are. Today, he goes to the coffee shop in a town of 600 (frequently now that he’s retired) and argues with other people like him in favor of gay rights.

When he found out my cousin was treating his son poorly after the son came out of the closet, my father was pissed. He was already on the equal rights bandwagon at this point, but the idea of treating family badly was pushing him over the line. Let me explain further in saying my father is a union guy in his 60’s who lives in Michelle Bachman’s district. He’s fighting for you. He’s fighting for my cousin. He’s fighting for all of us.

This election has had wonderful highs and terrible lows. We will continue to fight, and through engaging people we will make sure that America lives up to its promise to the GLBT community. I’m sorry the majority screwed you, but there is a growing minority that will fight for equality. We will become the majority. My story is just one of many on the steps we will take to insure your equality.

[rawtribe]

1. My 98 year old grandmother

who freely through around the "N" word voted for Obama and no on Prop 8 in CA.

You can teach an old dog new tricks!

[murielm99]

2. I know about the Catholics and Lutherans thing.

My family is from rural Minnesota. I was raised Lutheran. At one time, the Catholics and Lutherans would not even patronize each others' businesses.

My family, for the most part, is liberal. With one exception, they all voted for Obama.

I have never discussed gay rights with any of them, except my parents. My father was always homophobic. My mother is more accepting.