Thanks for your note. Good question. A couple of thoughts come to mind. Of course, I can barely speak for myself and don’t pretend to speak for others but here’s what occurs to me on first wonder. On the one hand, there are petitions coming through other channels- NGLTF etc. So there is political response happening, by us, not here. Another thought- oh dear, another Neanderthal saying the same old thing for the same old reasons. It’s another noise on the horizon among many. Does it need my response? Is this a noise that spells danger or just politics or just noise or all the above? I recall one of the first gay newspapers I ever read had a headline story of a gay man jumping out a jailhouse window after he’d been arrested at a bath house in a general raid. He landed 2 stories below impaled on an iron gate. He was trying to escape having his name in the newspaper. I relate this to say, there is much each day that comes in the way of hating queers and one must choose what to take in, what to feel, what to respond to- like every other oppressed people. So don’t take the eerie silence here as not knowing, not seeing, not acting. It’s my observation that FLGBTQC is essentially a garage in the form of a nomadic village where we get our battery charged, oil changed, and windows cleaned to get back out on the road. More pragmatic and deliberate than a Holiday Inn and less intentional than political caucus. But these a just a few thoughts on a Monday morning after a chiropractic treatment where my head was torn off my shoulders to great relief. What else is within our understanding and observation here Friends? Love John
PS One other observation- it’s clear from the press coverage here that part of what’s happening is a deliberate testing of the changing waters in public opinion ie the Democrats have a potential Civil Unions presidential candidate. When the Republicans slam queers in the usual way, how does the public as a whole respond? Has the Aids epidemic, television, and various other changes caused there to be a shift in public opinion on queers or can this “monster” still be used to manipulate politics? Unlike the Trent Lott racist comments which cost him his position, this is more likely a taking of temperature for the coming elections. Just a thought.
Sorry to hear that family has been less than supportive for the wedding. Families do not always meet their job descriptions, goodness knows. Your love for one another and those of us who see this love will be the north star guiding what we all know to be good and true even when we are all swimming upstream against cultural currents.
When Marshall and I were married in 89, we had some family present and much family not present. I recall the day being so full of love that I felt no lack of it. If anything I had a hangover from so much delight.
I would remind you that public declaration of love is exhausting so plan accordingly and delegate everything possible. Also, let the crowds love deep into your heart during those hours as there are so few focused times times of receiving in everyday life. (Eventually, our clinics will become crowds of people alternately cheering, laughing, and praying.) And remember those of us who will not be there in person are somewhere on the globe shouting, “HOORAY HOORAY HOORAY!!!!!!!”
Love John
PS I take a moment here for everyone who wants to have true love and is seeing not much on the horizon. Keep the faith. No one knows when love sweeps in and surrounds our hearts and it can happen at any time. Don’t push the river. Continue to make a life you can love and want to live for a long time and that makes your light shine brighter to all who can see. Nobody knows how it works to find true love and have your turn at it. And we also know it can come at any time.