Everyone else in my world was on SCOTUS Watch, and B, LB, and I all went down for the little celebration rally they held in Providence. Personally, we are among the clear winners in today's decision along with other married gay couples in states that have gay marriage, gay military families, and gay federal workers. Other gays are wading through the state-specific morass, and the answers to their questions are likely to be negative, or at least unclear, for a long time to come.
And then there are the other decisions. Not such great times for voting rights, racial diversity on campus, the rights of employees. Until today, I spent my SCOTUS Watch saying, "it could have been worse?"
The title to this post is a quote from a very smart friend of mine (and Shania Twain), in reference to this video of John Lewis speaking in support of gay marriage in 1996.
One of the surprising victories of the recent gay marriage fights at the state level has been the success of progressive coalition politics. A wide range of progressive activists came together to fight for gay marriage because that fight is tied to a broader vision of a nation that values equality, toleration, and the protection of minority groups. If gay issues are going to matter to straight people of diverse races, religions, classes, and regions, then racial equality and workers (just to name a couple) need to matter to gay people. And since I'm likely preaching to the choir, consider this a note to self to keep me honest.
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