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New York State Marriage Equality NOW

It's almost cliche to say that growing up gay is not easy. But that doesn't make it less true. The knowledge that you exist outside the realm of the mainstream society -and their protections- is a terrifying one. Science and thousands of years of experience (let's face it, there is clear archaeological evidence of same-sex love going as far back as humanity) have taught us that sexual orientation cannot be changed. We are innately who we are, end of.

But then there's religion. Cultural taboo. Societal stigma. We're the underdogs, and our opposition makes no bones about it. Nothing new there; in 1553, English King Henry VIII passed legislation punishing our kind with death through the "Buggery Act." Thomas Aquinas argued in 1265 that homosexual acts were second only to murder in sins. There continue to exist more than 8 nations in which homosexuality remains illegal. But we are not victims. We are survivors. We can be told that God sees us as an abomination. God, however -in both my opinion, and that of the conservative zealots- is the creator of all things. God makes no mistakes. Therefore, God wants us here. Equally.

If you read my blog, you probably know I am a New Yorker. Raised in Poughkeepsie, NY, I was lucky enough to have the MTA Hudson Train Line just a stone's throw away from my doorstep -allowing for a quick and easy escape to a more rational world: Manhattan. It was in Manhattan that I witnessed my first LGBTQ Pride Parade. This is a misunderstood event that most Americans despise due to a lack of understanding breed through a lack of education. Few people among or outside our relatively small LGBTQ world remember that the NYC Pride parade is held annually on the last Sunday of June to commemorate our pivotal victory in 1969 against institutionalized discrimination at the Stonewall Inn. A victory against search and seizure. Against violation of privacy. A victory FOR EQUALITY.

The heroes and survivors that fought for us on June 28th 1969 were fighting against the Public Morals Squads (Yes, they were part of the NYPD) of their time. They fought for their friends who disappeared into the East River for the crime of wearing "the wrong" clothing at the hands of the very people appointed to serve and protect us. In no uncertain terms: In the land where we live by Separation of Church and State, they were fighting the religious police. Through their momentum, we have the ability to demand our equality today.

Whether we achieve marriage equality or not this year, we have a few things to remember. We owe no apologies to anybody. Through concepts as simple as the Golden Rule we deserve equal treatment from our peers -whether they are like us our not in their orientation. We are doing a huge favor to the public at large because, as Dr. Martin Luther King pointed out, "No one is free until everyone is free." We are not liberating ourselves, we are validating the rights they currently have and take for granted. So stop begging. Enough with the meekness and timidity. Our LGBTQ communities have so much to be proud of. So when you do call your elected official -and you WILL call them- don't just ask them to vote for us. Remind them how embarrassing it will be when history remembers them for supporting discrimination.

It's been two years since my life-changing journey to India. I doubt a day goes by that I don't think at least once about some aspect or experience that I was lucky enough to be a part of. A lot has changed in my life between my departure to India and now. I've moved my life from the beautiful and wonderful Hudson Valley of New York to what I think is the most charming city of the United States, Philadelphia. My professional life has shifted from Crime Victim Assistance and Advocacy, to Archaeology, to Public Health Outreach.

My love of language has remained constant and has evolved to include my latest interests; Hindi and Japanese. With the help of some loving friends and a large investment in time and literature, I have learned to read Devanagari Script (Hindi). I wish I could have learned this before my trip to Rajasthan and Gujarat!

The ripples in my life that have lead me to move to Philadelphia are complex, confusing, and not much worth raking over. Suffice it to say that I hadn't imagine myself leaving the shores of New York's Hudson River, but at the moment, at least, I'm glad that life has lead me here. Currently I work for an organization charged with preventing the spread of HIV and improving the lives of people affected by the virus. I go home very proud of the work I do, but I hold a second job to make up for the income that is impossible to earn while serving in a struggling non-profit organization. This is not to say I wont for anything. Along with my beloved, I live comfortably in health.

It has been too long since the last time I have written a blog entry. Let's hope this is the beginning of a new era of inspiration and creativity. With any luck, I'll write to you guys again soon.

As always,

peace and love,

-AJW