I have to tell you I sobbed. In the car on the way to the studio I was singing with old Patty Griffin and then I just sobbed out of left field. I told myself I was going to be a good soldier and take my lickings.
But that’s the thing about hope. It requires a piece of your heart. Belief that things can be better though I was pretty sure it would pass. When we put our civil liberties in the hands of the majority, we come away with none. That’s how it’s always worked. Amendment 1 makes it ok for my government to say I am not even “separate but equal” but lesser.
If I had the opportunity to – I would knock on every door and have a conversation. Every door. I am not scary or sick or wrong. And I carry the hope that if I could sit down with most people, they would start to see me as human too. I still have hope. Hurt by rampant ignorance. Let down by my government. Saddened at the amount of fear and the dogmatism that propels folks forward. But hopeful.
People say, let it go – the younger generation will vote it in eventually. That’s where you’re headed. But the reason younger folks are more tolerant is because brothers and sisters have died standing up and coming out. Mother’s and father’s have had their hearts broken open over their gay children, the death of those children, the discrimination of those children and they have grown bigger – grown taller, and come to stand by our sides. Allies call us friends. And we slowly erode the shores of hate. I will not wait. I will not sit quietly down. I am heart broken but I am not defeated. In my corner I have a treasure chest of comrades who know me. Friends who hold me up. A family that carries me. And a wife no one can take from me. Regardless of the wording of the law.
Today I am heartbroken. But I am not done. We have more work to do. Thank you for your service. Thank you for your efforts. You have made a difference. Because of you I have more than enough strength to Carry On.
our celebration with close family in madison co NC
in NY – after being married by the clerk of courts.
