I was there bet. 6-7. My brother is gay but he doesn't live in NYC. I emailed him some photos and video clips (I'm not too skilled with the phone camera but I try. LOL) I'll be in the Pride march with PFLAG Sunday.

was still packed.

I wish that there were celebrations here in the national forest. Sadly, the humans here were likely against the decision (although I have friends in the area who weren't), and the wildlife likely have been practicing same sex love since time immemorial. Maybe I ought to party with them.

Alas! I am alone tonight so I will party with my DU friends.

Skäl! My good friend.


My best to you and yours tonight.

I've just had a rush of emotions all day - after so many years of struggle, it just seems almost surreal that this day has finally arrived. I remember taking part in my first gay rights action back in 1974 - so much has changed over the years - I was in three of the four national marches, so many national protests during the Reagan years about the AIDS crisis. I'm so proud for those who can legally secure their lives and relationships. At the same time, I kept thinking of people I know who are gone, and how much I wish they could see this day.

But everyone, no matter their age, or their time of coming out, or their situation, brought us to this point by the tiniest steps they each took for themselves over the years - and how each of those steps helped someone else take a step of their own. This is a victory for everyone.

It is indeed a great day. However, it is not enough. The blow back of this is unknown at this time. It seems, just in the first hours that the states opposed to this are not going to be able to fight back. For instance, in spite of Abbot's boastful pronouncements early today, LBGT folks were marrying in Texas soon after the decision. Likewise in other southern states.

I just watched the PBS News Hour which featured a panel discussion (two for, two against). The moderator missed the most important question. Why do you oppose marriage equality for gays? I am sure that we'd here at least one talk in religious terms. That is the only argument they have. Of course, if one actually understands the Bible, one knows that in the Hebrew Bible, few marriages were between one man and one woman. But that won't stop them from making that argument.

My best to you tonight.

I raise a glass.

Skäl!

but hate will not win.

They might try every trick they can pull, but frankly, I think most of us have been quite measured in how we've responded to them over the years.

But sorry - many of us lived through the loss of close friends and partners, saw people not be allowed in hospital rooms, watched people lose their jobs, and saw "conservative" family members ignore the presence of a life partner when someone died and they would (legally) steal all the property and toss the partner out in the street. And that is only scratching the surface of some experiences.

And the outcry from our opponents? Puh-leeze - they get the vapors at the very thought of baking a cake. They claim to be "Christians" yet willingly and consciously lie. Their product has always been fear and it is getting more and more difficult for them to sell that whine. Their requirement for other human emotional, psychological and material sacrifice in order to "practice" their "religion" is becoming more and more suspect as time goes on.

I may not have gone through the same things as you, but I stand with you. I think a lot of others are right there with me.

I do miss those talks. . .Carolina was one of the best years of my life. And remember when you and Jim were heading up the campus group in '93? Talk about steps we all took that year - y'all took Carolina to the National March on Washington for the first time EVER - and we all designed the most AMAZING display case in that Student Union that had ever been done! And then we played Gay Monopoly one night in your dorm and I smuggled in the rum. . .oops. . .

Now did I read somewhere that you might be coming thru my town sometime this summer? It's been a crap summer so far - just rain every day. .

a great time, Justin. I have been running around all day with a big old grin on my face- I am not normally a smiler.