From 2004 on, I began giving limited amounts of money (which is all I have) to progressive candidates around the country, with the help of sites like Kos and ActBlue.
I canvassed for Obama in 2008, even going to nearby states that were more in play than my own.
I support the rights of gay people -- they should have every right that I do, whether that means marriage or the ability to adopt or whatever. It's trite to say, but although I am not gay I have gay friends. Even if I didn't, I know what's right. And I know that the right of two men or two women to marry has absolutely no effect on anyone else's rights.
But in spite of that, I did nothing to help the No On 1 campaign.
Did not send a penny.
Did not make a phone call.
Bill and Michael of Maine and your gay brothers and sisters:
I apologize.
I am ashamed.
I will behave more honorably, will behave more in line with what I say and believe, next time this issue comes to the ballot box.
Furthermore, I believe that the No On 1 campaign lost due to three reasons, and that they are worth thinking about, especially for those who behaved dishonorably, in this election/balloting, as I did (continued below the fold).
- Gay people are only a small percentage (5%? 7%? 10%? 12%?) of the population.
- The ANTI-No On 1 types, the haters -- obviously come from the overwhelmingly non-gay majority. In many states, perhaps even in the nation as a whole, the haters make up perhaps 50% of the population, as we see. They are passionate about this. They, sometimes with the support of the types of "religious" organizations that they frequent, send money from around the country to fight gay rights in local elections.
- And too many people like myself -- not gay but not a hater, in fact at least a lip service supporter of gay rights -- did nothing to help a distant campaign. I did not even skip going to a movie with popcorn and sending the $10 or $15 to the No on 1 folk. I heard few of my progressive friends discussing it with the interest they so often show for races such as NY-23.
Again:
Bill and Michael, I am sorry. I am ashamed. For and of myself, and for others who believe as I do but behaved as I did.
I will do better next time.
I hope that others will, too. Part of my work will be, as an extension of this diary, to help them think more deeply about this, before it arises again.
So that we can all do just a bit better, next time...