…after living almost 30 years in America. By 1pm, I was registered to vote. It is *that* important.
This is not the country I moved to in 1989. Don’t get me wrong, it was not all wine and roses in 1989. LGBT rights campaigners had a long way to go and the majority of people opposed same-sex marriage. The country was reeling from the Savings and Loans farce (funny how history repeats itself), and we were living through Bush I.
I dutifully stayed out of politics while I was not a citizen. I did not vote, march or write letters to the government (even though I could legally have dome *some* of those). I respect the law. But I was finally compelled to make that final commitment to a country that has welcomed me over the years. I have volunteered in the Domestic Violence advocacy movement for many years and still do. I have written about it here before. I have an American wife and friends and I hate where this country is going.
And now I can vote, march and write my letters. I am happy to back to this community I left a few years ago and I am ready to fight for a freer, fairer America.
Please vote. Because after coming to America with $100 in 1989, and legally going through the immigration system — I certainly will.
EDIT: Many thanks for the good wishes everyone and I look forward to playing a full role in the community going forward.