Missing a historic moment…

I’ve been moved and inspired by the protests of thousands of Californians over the passage of Prop 8 and the removal of basic civil rights from same-sex couples. The press, largely the gay media, is painting this event as something akin to Stonewall – an event that is just that historic, perhaps not on a national level, but historic nonetheless. Through my limited experience with the Fairness Campaign here in Louisville, and by working with other social justice groups in the area, I’ve found a physical passion for the praxis of academic theories I’ve garnered over the past few years. And while I stand in solidarity with my brothers and sisters in California, I feel a little left out of the movement. I wish I were there to help, to experience, to physically stand for a right that is mine, one that was never a possibility here in Kentucky.

Metzke, writing for the Advocate states:

It’s become bigger than me — and bigger than each of you reading this. It’s about us now. As a community. Not pointing fingers, not even necessarily about a piece of legislation called Prop. 8 anymore.

I mean, sure, when Californians spoke, it hurt…deeply. But I don’t know that the outcome of a no vote would have done our community any favors. I’ve never seen this kind of passion at a pride festival. I don’t expect that people take to the streets in quite the same way in memory of Stonewall.

…

People are pissed off, riled up, letting their guard down and showing that when faced with discrimination, if they have to choose between equal rights and a rum and diet Coke, they may fill up a flask — but they’ll march.

The community is united like never before, and I, for the first time in a long time, am thrilled to be a card-carrying member. I’ve been out and proud before, but never like this.

I feel like I’m missing out, that I’m in the wrong part of the country.  That sentiment coupled with my possible move to Santa Barbara in a year just makes it bitter sweet.  What will it be like a year from now?  The marriage ban may be overturned by then, but what about the rest of the country?

Fairness has been working on a State Wide Fairness bill, which they hope to pass in the next decade.  Yet this bill, to my knowledge, does not include anything about marriage.  Moreover, I think the political landscape of Kentucky will have to change considerably before any state law protecting LGBT peoples will pass.

I long for a sense of community, and while Louisville has a gay community, it seems to be a disagrregate group, rather than one that can stand in solidarity around any one issue in the community.

Read the full Metzke article here on Advocate.com.

~ by alacrity1123 on November 11, 2008.