Left Behind...

[Corkey Mineola]

I just sent this email to the Obama campaign, tears of joy and tears of sadness stand in my eyes...

Congratulations.
But what a bittersweet victory for CA supporters who are GLBT, who hoped that this election would be different.
We are faced with a stark reversal of fortune with the passage of Prop 8. As I watched Barack and Michele last night I was teary-eyed... so youthful, so promising, so in love. And I compare them to my own marriage of 12 years to the man I love and ask "What's different?"
I realize that the difference is that Barack is ashamed to speak for me and my same-gender partner.
I realize that he could not, would not, threaten his amazing lead in these closing days to speak frankly and unequivocally against Prop 8.
I realize that he would not even send surrogates to do so... HIllary, Biden, anyone.
And I realize that in this new day for America, the same sexist, homophobic tune scratches on the old phonograph of politics... take a seat in the back, faggot, it ain't your turn yet... You ain't worth risking it for....
What will your administration do to turn things for my people?
I'd like to know that. On this bittersweet morning...
How will you move the needle on this scratched 45?
Because I'm sick of the song it plays and I am ready for something new
And if I can't look to you for leadership on this
then who?
Patrick,
San Francisco, CA

[Zuiderelle]

1. Bittersweet, yes.

I wonder if we are allowed now to be disappointed in Barack? Or will someone come in here to lecture us about how much better off we are now?

We already have full discrimination in my state, I'm so sorry that this happened in California. California. Of all fucking places.

[Corkey Mineola]

no words... just shock

shock
but awareness that event the smallest amount of bully pulpit from the orator would have helped... but mute
mute
mute

[Marrah_G]

5. Anyone who berates you for hurting and feeling let down isn't worth a minute of your time.

[Orrex]

2. I've been thinking about this, in fact

I would love to see marriage recognized as marriage, and it's a great blot on our country that we've failed to accomplish this.

Prop 8 is disgusting; there's really nothing more I can say about it.

I was pleased to see Obama say "gay" in his victory speech, which almost certainly must be a first, isn't it? Perhaps this is a long overdue first step at the Executive level, especially in a Presidency that has already defied so many standards and expectations.

I hope that "your turn" comes soon, because it's about damned time.

:hug:

[Corkey Mineola]

3. Clinton said "gay" in his speeches in 1992

I felt so much more pride and promise on that night...

[Orrex]

4. Sorry--I hadn't realized that, and thanks for the correction

I'm still hoping that we'll see some progress, but I agree that it still seems something of a longshot.

[Corkey Mineola]

6. I take no pleasure in correcting you

I was a bit younger then and less cynical
Yet it was 1992 and times were so much darker for gay folks then.... the AIDS toll mounting
We needed the victory then so much and got it in Bill Clinton

We are partly to blame for this
I guess
Complacent now

[Rainbowreflect]

7. I am so sorry. I cannot, will not ever understand peoples fear.

Love is love. Your having the legal right to marry, and I say legal because I believe you already have the right in what is morally correct, will only strengthen our country.

[kenny blankenship]

8. Not left behind - singled out and told to wait outside