Equality

(Community Matters) Earlier this year, I decided & announced that Pres Barack Obama is the last elected official I will ever financially support who  doesn’t support marriage equality. Frankly, I can only so enthusiastically support and raise for Pres Obama because I believe he does support my full equality, including marriage.

This morning, I was having breakfast with a young man. While discussing politics and religion, there was – for a short time – some doubt as to whether or not he supported my right to marry. When I pressed for an answer, he expressed he wasn’t feeling safe. I assured him he was of course physically safe . . . but he wasn’t safe in our relationship which is one of mentor/protege. I will no longer share my network, my talents, nor my time deliberately empowering anyone who may use this against me politically, advocating against my constitutional equality.

Later in the day with another friend (straight), he asked me why I’d even associate with people who didn’t support my constitutional equality. I explained that there have been many people in my life who were originally opposed to gay equality but who have evolved, at least in part, as a result of our relationship. He expressed understanding this but said we’re past that time – that those opposed to LGBT equality are bigots. I’m thinking about this.