Some thoughts on the fourth

The Declaration of Independence, which we celebrate today, says that we ALL are created equal, and that we are endowed with certain rights. Unalienable Rights it calls them. It lists three: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  Now it doesn't say we have a right to be happy, but only to pursue that happiness.
 

On this July 4th do you feel your country is allowing you to pursue happiness?  Do you feel that everyone in the country is treated equally?  Sadly I don't.
 

Most Americans are familiar with a sentence or two from this document, but take a moment to read the whole thing.  Is today's America the same one they spoke of back in 1776. 
 

There might be a picnic or fireworks on your agenda today, maybe even a parade, but add one more thing:  think of some way you can make a difference in the life of this country.  What can we all do to make the equality spoken of a reality?  What can we do to see that everyone is able to pursue happiness?  How can we end the discrimination that so many Americans face on a daily basis? 

There are many things we might put on such a list, but may I suggest the first one?  VOTE!  We need to all make sure our voices are heard!

When

I remember when I was still in high school hearing someone say "When will a day go by without some talk about racial discrimination?"  Recently, during Pride Month, I heard someone comment on the abundance of gay news stories saying "When will we stop hearing about gay rights?"  When indeed.

When I first came to San Francisco, a city with a large Asian population, I quickly found that there was prejudice against Asians.  There is even prejudice amongst Asians.  Yes, I actually heard "People from (my country) are better than people from (their country)."  Where I live now, there seems to be more and more.  I heard some anti-Asian remarks on my way home last night, which is what prompted me to write this.

When will it end.  Why do some people feel superior over others?  Why can't we all get along?  While it is true that discrimination has changed - some things are more protected by law, not everything has and often cruel incidents occur which nobody will then want to talk about.  There lately seems to have been a bit of progress (or at least people are talking).

We can put an end to discrimination.  We can end prejudice.  But, when?

HISTORY WAS MADE!

Where were you on the morning of June 26, 2015?  Can you remember?  History was made eight years ago on this date.  Perhaps it changed your life.  Let me give you some help - an historic decision was made by the US Supreme Court, effecting the entire nation. They affirmed equality. They said that gay people can marry too. Some states had already done it, but now with the High Court's ruling, same-sex couples could marry nationwide.  Now eight years later in 2023 it might not seem like as big a deal, but it was!  It really was.

In writing the majority opinion, Justice Anthony McLeod Kennedy said these words, which have since ended up on posters:

No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In the forming of a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization's oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right. The judgement of the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is reversed. It is so ordered.

I know I just wrote about marriage equality last week, but this day in 2015 was so very important, I simply HAD to say something. There was a lot of celebrating back then.  It was a happy day.  Since then there has been progress in other countries.  I won't pretend that the whole world has changed.  I won't pretend that there is not still a lot of work to do.  I also won't pretend that everyone is happy about the advancements and is celebrating.  We do have reason for joy though.  We do have reason to hope for brighter tomorrows.  On this date eight years ago, things got a little better.  History was made!

Birthday wishes to Mikey Bustos

Visibility is important and the B in LGBTQ+ is often left out, that's why it was a very positive thing when he came out as bisexual in 2019. Somehow it has become a tradition now for me to write about him here on his birthday, which falls during Pride Month.

I follow Mikey on social media and watch his videos (some of them, like 'I Love to Eat Balut' I have watched over and over). Something really stand out too - Mikey is a happy person who freely shares that happiness.

Moving from his native Canada to the Philippines a few years ago, we have seen Mikey and boyfriend RJ Garcia build their dream house and continue to grow in their relationship.

Thanks for the smile Mikey and for all of the entertainment and encouragement. Happy birthday to you, and Happy Pride!

TransMarch

Twenty years! Oh my! This year marks a milestone for sure, as the San Francisco area comes together for the 20th time to honor the resilience, strength, and beauty of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.  I remember being there the very first year and going back year after year.  I also remember all of those wonderful souls who are no longer with us.

Tomorrow's event begins in the morning with the Señora Felicia Flames Intergenerational Brunch, honoring another giant of the community. Later comes the stage performances and the resource fair. The march itself comes in the evening and ends with a rally demanding equality and respect.

Toronto has a Trans March too as do several other cities, but I can write about the San Francisco event from experience. It is always a wonderful day increasing visibility, activism and acceptance of all.  I have always been made to feel very welcome and wish I could be present tomorrow.

More information is available at https://www.transmarch.org/

marriage equality

When I began writing this blog back in 2008, same-sex marriage was only a dream in most of the United States. The Netherlands had been the first back in 2001, and it had become legal in Belgium, Canada, Spain, and South Africa in the years that followed. It was also legal in two US states (Massachusetts and Connecticut) but would be a long time coming for the rest of the country.

There are now these thirty four places around the world, where same-sex marriage is legal: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States, and Uruguay. Let me point out that these thirty four countries are actually only a small portion of the world.

A vote is due early next week, and activists are hoping Estonia’s parliament will back a government bill that would allow gay and lesbian couples to marry there. Estonia would become first ex-Soviet state to back same sex marriage.

Attitudes are changing and progress is being made. Younger generations express higher levels of support for same-sex marriage.  Let's keep hoping and working for more progress.

Lance makes a difference every day

Who hasn't heard of Lance Bass?  He's a pop singer, a dancer, actor, producer, radio and tv personality, author, and activist. He might not have started out to be all those things, but over time, they have developed.  He is also making a huge difference for the LGBTQ+ community. 

By being openly gay, Lance is another person showing the world that gay people want the same things as everyone else:  respect, equality, and freedom from hate.  Every time he says "my husband and I," he is making a difference.  The wedding of Lance and his spouse Michael Turchin (pictured here), back in 2014 was recorded and shown on cable tv.  Sometimes just being yourself is all it takes.

 

So much talent in this guy!  Seriously.  I love his talk show appearances.  He always speaks his mind.  That is important. Now I have spoken many times about the importance of being open and honest, and it is my hope that one day closets will again be only for clothing, but let me be very clear.  I do not wish to see anyone in danger.  There are still times when some need to remain in the closet for their own safety, and that should be respected.

I've met Lance and seen him at a couple of different lgbtq events, but he is also making a difference in other areas as well.  He's done telethons for various causes, been an active supporter for animal rights, and is also involved with the Environmental Media Association.  Thank you Lance, thank you Michael, and happy Pride Month!