Marriage Equality!

May 14, 2013- the day marriage equality for same sex couples was signed into law. I was  there, in a crowd of thousands.  Watching Mark Dayton formally sign the bill on the capitol lawn, surrounded by men, women, and children whose families would finally be formally recognized by the law.  I never thought I would see this in my lifetime.  For me it was like being present when women were given the vote, or when all slaves were freed- a moment where everything changed.  A moment where humanity was recognized and old biases and fears were set aside.  Historic, moving, and about damn time. 

It's interesting what equality brings out in individual people.  Many in the crowd were in tears, or openly jubilant. I felt surrounded by the energy, hope, and love of literally thousands of people.  For me it was incredible, a leap into a better future- a future where my GLBT friends, relatives, and coworkers could live their lives more openly and with more legal protections for their families.  

The next day I followed stories about the bill signing on Facebook.  I saw many positive postings, but was very disappointed to see postings that were quite negative. Ironically, some of those postings came from people that I knew personally, and who I knew had gay friends.  Some referenced the Bible, or "traditional" marriage; and I was reminded of the civil rights era,  when some people would talk about their wonderful black friends, but wouldn't want their sons or daughters to date those same friends.  To some people, equal is only partially equal, and everyone was still supposed to "know their place".   The hypocrisy was glaring to me, but I'm sure most of those people thought they were being sincere, which made it even more sad to me. 

I know what my place is.  It's here, in support of my family, friends, and coworkers.  I want them to have all of the rights that I have in society, and to be free from discrimination and harassment.  For me it's very simple. These are people I care about, and I want them to have good lives.  I want them to be able to care for and protect their families, I want them to be able to openly celebrate their relationships.  "Their place" should be the same as mine- a respectful, loving place in the larger society.  An equal place, not a partial token equality that is doled out by the self righteous when it's convenient and then withdrawn when those same folks become uncomfortable. 

I am still in awe that I was there on the Capitol lawn when the world shifted; becoming larger and more inclusive.  I was there to see the joy and tears of people who were finally seeing their relationships- their lives- recognized, after years of living on the sidelines and in the shadows.  What a victory for love, and for us all.  May it move us further into the light, and away from the darkness of separation and bigotry.  May it move us all towards freedom; the freedom to be who we were born to be, and to be loved and accepted in all our uniqueness.