LETTER from a Proud New Yorker
source: http://tinyurl.com/3ubn4cu
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It is an understatement to say that these last fews days in New York have been something to be proud of. Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to New York City on Sunday - hitting a record attendance for the gay pride parade and swelling the city with enough pride to light the Empire State Building in a rainbow of colors.
The celebration of the New York State marriage equality bill was the center of pride we all felt, particularly those native New Yorkers. I stated on my facebook page that "This has always been my residence. Now it really is my home" and it was reiterated in DiversityInc Magazine on Monday as the topic of gay marriage is remaining high in the media. Though, I had never felt out of place in the state I have spent 30+ years in, it wasn't until the bill passed, that I realized the recognition and respect I had been deprived.
The Friday prior to the parade my fiancee, Chely Wright, and I sat on the edge of our couch waiting anxiously for the senate to come back from break - it was time to tackle the marriage bill. ....
We have very educated people still "struggling" to make a decision that is "the right thing to do". And it all is based on prior religious teachings. We heard statements of being raised by parents who were Catholic or Christian, BUT the Republicans who voted YES also said, I was raised by parents who were compassionate and taught me that everyone should be treated and respected equally, and that fairness wins. That concept of human morality and kindness was a bigger influence than their teachings from the church. The biggest problem is the teachings from their religion and their moral pull are NOT matching up. When "the right thing to do" in regards to LGBT equality, is battling the "religious" thing to do, our problem is loud and clear and our work is more necessary than ever.
Read rest of letter here.
http://tinyurl.com/3ubn4cu
The celebration of the New York State marriage equality bill was the center of pride we all felt, particularly those native New Yorkers. I stated on my facebook page that "This has always been my residence. Now it really is my home" and it was reiterated in DiversityInc Magazine on Monday as the topic of gay marriage is remaining high in the media. Though, I had never felt out of place in the state I have spent 30+ years in, it wasn't until the bill passed, that I realized the recognition and respect I had been deprived.
The Friday prior to the parade my fiancee, Chely Wright, and I sat on the edge of our couch waiting anxiously for the senate to come back from break - it was time to tackle the marriage bill. ....
We have very educated people still "struggling" to make a decision that is "the right thing to do". And it all is based on prior religious teachings. We heard statements of being raised by parents who were Catholic or Christian, BUT the Republicans who voted YES also said, I was raised by parents who were compassionate and taught me that everyone should be treated and respected equally, and that fairness wins. That concept of human morality and kindness was a bigger influence than their teachings from the church. The biggest problem is the teachings from their religion and their moral pull are NOT matching up. When "the right thing to do" in regards to LGBT equality, is battling the "religious" thing to do, our problem is loud and clear and our work is more necessary than ever.
Read rest of letter here.
http://tinyurl.com/3ubn4cu
