Don't get me wrong, I'm elated that Obama is our president-elect. What a thrilling time in this country. So much talk of hope and progress. I am in awe of the history that was made on November 4th.
In California, we defeated Prop 4 and guaranteed young women access to safe and legal abortion...at least for a bit longer. Similar initiatives and propositions were defeated in Colorado and South Dakota. We have much to celebrate.
But my celebration is hampered by the numerous anti-gay propositions and initiatives that did pass around the country on Tuesday. From Arkansas' ban on adoption among gay couples to Arizona, Florida, and California's ban on gay marriage I find myself struggling to embrace the progress and hope the nation is talking about. I do get it, the first bi-racial man, the first black man elected to the presidency...huge historic event. But how does this country celebrate when we continue to disenfranchise some of our people? When we called out throughout the campaign, "Yes, we can" who did we mean? I thought we were fighting for us all but these state initiatives seem to suggest otherwise.
I look forward to the day we can fully celebrate--all of us, standing together truly as one nation, equal in this land. We need to pass a Constitutional equality amendment--let us build upon the efforts of the ERA and incorporate not just women, but guarantee equality regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Let that be my generation's legacy.
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