Reading this morning's Oregonian on-line, my hometown newspaper, I was caught by the news that the Oregon Court of Appeals upheld the ban against lesbians and gays from marrying, which was voted to be part of the state constitution in 2004. Click here for more.
Herein lies the irony: Portland, Oregon voted in the first openly gay mayor, Sam Adams, who is now mayor of the 40th largest city in the country who, by law, is not able to marry someone because he is gay. Thus the mayor of Portland, Oregon is treated as a second class citizen in a first rate city?!
When "Ellen" is aired today, with John McCain on the show, she asks him about his stand on gay marriage, and he is against it. He is "for" us in having some of the same legal benefits as heterosexual couples, but is against us being married. Ellen did ask him to walk her down the aisle when she weds Portia in the next few weeks.
This is why it is important for us to write letters to editors, get on call-in radio shows, and to protest and be parts of large rallies. Yet the most effective way to bring about change is to vote, to vote, and to vote (as Rep. Barney Frank reminded me a few years ago).
In this case, with John McCain letting us know where he stands on the issue of gay marriage, and because this single issue is so important for all of us, I hope those who read this blog, even if they hate single issue reasons to vote one way or another, will consider this: John McCain and the vast majority of Republicans do not want us to marry. While Democratic candidates for President remain, sadly, quiet, it is time for them to also speak out and support us.
Time to vote which will bring about the change we need in this country.
Peace,
Brett
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