But I do feel the time to push for equal rights for all is now, because even now is too late. It should be a non issue because of that. But it's not.

I am not gay but..

...I do not allow my children to use the term "that's so gay" "you're queer" or any other such offensive (yes offensive) terms in my presence. I hope they don't use them outside of my presence but I can't be with them 24/7. I will always equate that with equally offensive terms used to describe race.

... I was stunned by the Snickers commercial the other night, and then sickened during my visit to the website. Being straight, I was not "looking" to be offended. And yet, there I was...offended and disgusted.


...I was eye poppingly horrified when I read some comments on DU yesterday...and today.


This is NOT an Olive Garden/smoking section variety of flamewar. This is a commentary on basic human rights. This is an issue. A real issue, that was just undermined on national television and the internet.

Perhaps, a few years ago, my family and I would have laughed at this commercial and wondered what the big deal was. Now, I never could. I see the hurt among good, decent people. People that have, time and again, voted with and worked for the Democratic Party only to be told, time after time, to wait your turn... now is not the time...this is a wedge issue...

Imagine that, human rights equated to a wedge issue.

And so, these people, these friends of mine/OURS wait. For how long should they? How long should they let a brother who never cared in life get to make the life ending decision for a sister he cut off the day she came out of the closet? How many times should fathers be okay with giving up children they helped raise to grandparents who weren't even there for the birth...because they were disgusted by his lifestyle. How long should these people pay the same taxes, fight in the same wars, live in the same neighborhoods and yet be less than me? How Long?

Some, by the tone and content of their posts, would let it be forever. They would have them "get over it already" or tell them to stop "whining"...to stop "looking for reasons to be offended."

I ask you this... Do they really have to look that hard? I don't think so. And that, in itself, disturbs me.

These people are not crying children in restaurants, smoking in bars, a trip to Olive Garden when in NYC. They are our friends, neighbors, fellow DUers... and we should treat them with respect. They've had our back...now let's get theirs.

This is my opinion, and I'm sticking with it.

Thank you.