Watching history (part II) – going to the chapel

Cross-posted from MadeMark.net Last night was the second time in less than a year when Frank and I were at the house in New Jersey watching something we thought we’d never see. The first time it was the historic vote in the United States senate repealing DADT (the implementation of which will hopefully be done very soon). Last night was just as significant, and just as unexpected for me. I was so accustomed to defeat, helped by the cruel gloating of the anti-marriage forces and the relentless dehumanization of lgbt people by the forces inequality that I had long ago grown skeptical and cynical. I would not believe the marriage bill in New York would pass until I saw the vote, until I heard for myself that this had been achieved. This matters enormously. We are getting married, now that we can do it in our own great big home town of New York City. I suggested August 14, the third anniversary of our NYC domestic partnership. We can trade it in for a marriage license. I will no longer feel like I’m committing perjury when I check the “married” box on forms, and I’ll be goddamned if I allow any bureaucracy to tell me Frank is my domestic partner when the answer is no, he is my spouse, my husband. “Domestic partnership benefits?” Not anymore. While I reflect with joy on this accomplishment, I can’t forget the people of Minnesota and Indiana, both states recently seized by their Republican parties intent on scarring their state constitutions with discriminatory marriage amendments. I can’t forget Iowa, where theocrats are determined to forcibly divorce all the same-sex couples there and make sure they can never marry again. My hope and my prayer is that this stand for equality in the great state of New York will help move this country forward to a day when love is recognized as love, when people of different beliefs, faiths, non-faiths and choices, can simply live together without the toxin of hate and the poison of power. This progress in New York feels like maybe, just maybe, peace is possible. Congratulations to everyone who supports dignity and equality, and eternal thanks those New York Republicans who did the right thing. You make me proud and you make me think things aren’t so fixed after all.]]>