The future begins

So I swiped this subject line from the up and coming Star Trek movie.

What a crazy ride for all of us - but as we saw state after state vote in our new president, the change America wanted - needed - became real. And for the first time ever did a president-elect acknowledge the gay citizens of this country as of the same value as everyone else.

Yes, the Mormon-influenced efforts to defeat prop 8 won the battle, but not the war. Because now, the fight goes national. The rein of the Christian right is crumbling and with new, fresh change in DC - in all branches of government - will equality for all be recognized. Indeed, this is happening in our lifetime.

The Mormons should have left California alone because with a national fight, whether it's at the Supreme Court or the addition of "sexual orientation" to the national anti-discrimination law, they will see same-sex marriage and equality within sight of their temples and churches in all 50 states. Perhaps gay couples holding legal marriage certificates marching down the streets of Salt Lake City wasn't what they had in mind, but that is what they will get.

I am sad my immediate gratification for a legitimate and legal recognition for my relationship won't happen today. But I am encouraged that the future for all Americans - not just Californians - to see equal status is within reach.

What would be next?

Tomorrow we vote. Tomorrow the Castro, West Hollywood, Hillcrest and every rest stop along highway 5 will be gathering the locals to either celebrate or protest the outcome of proposition 8. Every conservative church from the Rick Warren's mega-church in Saddleback to the smallest mountain church in Lassen will either claim their prayers worked or what they have been predicting all along - Satan has control over the USA and the horsemen and locusts are next.

So this morning I ask- what if? What if prop 8 passes? Is that it? Does the fat lady sing "Amazing Grace" and our struggle is over? I am no expert on law, but I do have some assumptions. Assuming we have an Obama Administration, I predict the same-sex marriage issue to work its way to the Supreme Court, and in what is sure to be a bloody argument, the same-sex marriage bans will ultimately be deemed unconstitutional much like the sodomy laws in 2003.

What else I think could be brewing is an unintended consequence for the religious right - which is the ultimate battle between church and state. In the end, the traditional marriage viewpoint is rooted in a Christian belief that marriage is "sacred" (although the bible itself is fuzzy on the issue). However the bible doesn't set law in the country - the Constitution does and at some point I think we will see this battle on the hill. It will be emotional, it will be intense, but the state will win out.

If I were a pastor I'd see prop 8 as not a fight for so-called traditional marriage, but as a step toward legislating discrimination who's passage can set precedence for the next group of people to lose their rights. Could race and religion be next? That would be my message to my flock - "we might not agree with same-sex marriage, but we sure as hell don't agree with tampering with people's rights, because ours could be threatened next."

Vote. Come rain or shine or earthquake or work.

Prop 8 margin narrows

No on Prop 8 still leads the yes posse in the polls, but it's gonna be tight. Get out the vote, donate (I have - twice), call your friends, e-mail Gov. Schwarzenegger who has stated he opposes Prop 8 but has yet to publicly join our cause. The LDS church is trying to change California and every person can make a difference.

Viral ad: No on Prop 8

Clever. Send to everyone and donate. Now is the time for all Californians to stand up for equality.

A republican ad to defeat prop 8

Sure they state the republicans need to get a woman in the White House, but they also clearly support marriage equality. Will the message fall on deaf ears?

Master Obama

As seen on the streets at the Folsom Street Fair yesterday. I am not sure if this is Shepherd Fairey's work, but it's pretty damn cool nonetheless.

Folsom Street Fair

Yesterday was the Folsom Street Fair - part fetish, part Renaissance. Sam was working so I attended solo - but I was hardly alone. There were about 399,999 other people, including a handful I knew: Dave and Eric, Ken and Nick, Donovan, Steve Macissac, Bart and the rest of the naked drawing crew, Master Noah, Jeff and Zeke, Charlie and Jason, Kirk, and Thomas in his opaque wrestling singlet. I had a good time - it would have been a great time if Sam wasn't laboring up and down the coast.

After the Fair, I headed to the Lonestar with Donovan, Jeff and Zeke and there, saw Paul, Gabriel, FTP and about 1,000 other shirtless bears. By then though my gay tank was running on empty and I called it a day.

My Folsom pics are here. As with all things Folsom, use your discretion - may not be entirely work-safe.

Sign O The Times

Hallmark announced today that they are adding Gay Marriage cards to their selection. The message will tend to be more neutral to cater not only to marriage but commitment ceremonies as well. Let the next phase in the wicked gay agenda commence.

I am pleasantly surprised and pleased that Hallmark is taking these steps. I have always viewed Hallmark as a conservative business with banal greeting cards. The most taboo punch lines usually revolve around being prehistorically old or farting. Granted I don't expect them to develop messages such as "Two hands, two cocks" or "Poppers - The new marriage accessory", but they are making a positive step forward. Naturally they are taking the stance that they are "responding to market conditions" instead of bowing to political pressure. Hallmark's competitor American Greetings, on the other hand, announced they had no plans to roll out the same.

I am sure the Jesus Crew might get their granny panties in a bunch over this and I sure hope they do. I love watching feisty Christians make even bigger fools of themselves. Have any of their boycotts ever been successful? Disney, Ford and Donna Summer all seem to be doing fine.

Alas, we have corrupted another American institution. What's next? Hee hee hee....

Wresters in heat

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.