The repeal of the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy has been like a trip down the rabbit hole this year.
In the courts you have on the one side the Republicans fighting to tear it down. One the other side you have a Democratic administration scampering to the Ninth Circuit Court to prop it back up. Meanwhile, in the legislative world, a Republican is actively engaged in lobbying while reports are a the titular leader appears disengaged.
But this? This is just fricking weird. Surreal.
The video above is an earnest attempt by a wide variety of celebrities to engage and educate people on the issue of LGBT bullying and suicide. It's a part of the NOH8 campaign, conceived by photographer Adam Bouska as a popular viral marketing campaign to combat Proposition 8 in California. Its message has expanded from a single ballot proposition to encompass the idea of combating homophobia in general.
And it has become incredibly popular and not only with celebrities, who are falling all over one another to pose. Bouska also arranges open shoots around the country and people of all persuasions line up to have a NOH8-branded photo of themselves taken. (Next locations on tour: Nov. 14: West Hollywood, Nov. 22: Hoboken, NJ.) They are particularly popular as Facebook and Twitter avatars. A nice way to communicate you don't approve of hating on gays.
Among the personalities that appear is none-other than wife of the biggest gay bully in the the legislature of the United State Government: Cindy McCain.
The video is good. There is quick-cut montage of spokespeople discussing injustices visited on the lives of gay Americans. It nicely connects the dots between our country's stigmatizing and discriminatory laws and policies and the validating effect they can have for bullies, and how they undermine self-esteem in gay youth.
But, it cannot be a coincidence the particular "fact" that Mrs. John McCain speaks:
0:49 Our political and religious leaders tell LGBT youth that they have no future.
0:56 They can't serve our country openly.
1:10 Our government treats our LGBT community like second-class citizens, why shouldn't they? [Kids at school]
Cindy is no stranger to the issue of LGBT activism and the NOH8 campaign. She previously posed for a portrait in January to express her support for marriage equality. As for Mrs. McCain's particular choice to appear in this video at this time and deliver that particular message?
Is everything all right at home, Mrs. McCain?
Oh, and thank you. You kinda rock, I've decided. :-)
By the way, have you called a Senator today?