The White House

I have to be honest. I fawned. A little. I could not help it. I was in the White House, walking along a corridor of Presidential portraits, past the first lady's garden, and my chin was on the floor.

Welcome to the White House, was said at every corner by a person in military uniform. Sure, we can't serve openly but they can be nice as we walk along the corridor.

I walked in with my friend David. I was glad to have someone to share the moment with, and someone who was also like a kid in the candy store. Oooooh. Look!

On the first floor, was a portrait of Hillary Clinton.

Sigh.

Walking in, I had the chance to say hello to Judy, Dennis and Logan Shepard. I shook Judy's hand and said, I'm a mom, too.

I got teary, she got teary, and she gave me a big hug and said, that's why we are both here. Dennis went on to say, This has been all Judy. Her work. I am so proud. Anyone who has mistaken his silence as some kind of lack of interest, is completely wrong.

Going up the stairs to the reception area, my heart was pounding. No fawning, I kept saying to myself. No fawning. We need so much more from this administration. I had prepped a single ten second line, in case I was able to shake the President's hand.

Thank you, Mr. President. I hope this means someday my marriage will be equal to yours.

I didn't get the chance, and I doubt I would have done anything but grin like an idiot.

We went into the East room, where the President would address us. There were about 100 people there. My people. Just looking around the room made me so proud. We have accomplished something, I thought. We are here.

The President took the stage with the Shepard's and the Byrd family. He spoke the kind of eloquent words we expect of him. At the end, the two families hugged each other, and that really choked me up.

We are all in this together.

It was the first time in history that LGBT people have been addressed POSITIVELY by legislation. That a President signed a bill for us. After the President left the room, I stood for a moment, just stunned by the enormity of it all.

Then, David and I had to go see what we could see. The blue room, the green room... we wandered through, taking pictures, and grabbing a glass of champagne. I said, let's go meet some people.

We talked with Barney Frank- surprise, he lives only a couple blocks from my house. I didn't want to get yelled at so I didn't ask about ENDA. Instead, I went on the Rahm Emmanuel, who was standing by himself. I shook his hand and said, So when are you going to stop with this one man one woman stuff?

What do you mean? he said.

I raised my eyebrows and said, You know what I mean, and it makes your candidate look like he's stuck in the 1990's. It' 2009. C'mon.

Let's get healthcare first, he said.

I said, I don't know if I can wait that long.

And off he scurried.

Now, I was on a roll. We went and talked to Tammy Baldwin. Representative Baldwin is an approachable, wonderful woman. She said, Oh, you all in Massachusetts make us look bad!

And then we talked about ENDA. I knew she wouldn't yell. Hopes are high, but it's not quite time yet.

To my left was Cyndi Lauper. She was chatting away, and I introduced myself. I fawned. Hey, she's not in charge of any legislation. I must say, she is an incredibly gracious woman. Later, as we were being herded out of the White House- party over- a small gathering in front of the restrooms was happening. See, the ladies room in the White House has a small foyer with portraits of the first ladies. Jackie, Eleanor, Lady Bird... it was stunning. So I grabbed Cyndi and said, you gotta see this.

Wow...

I said to her, I wonder what the men's room is like? C'mon, let's go...

And off we went across the hall. Not nearly as nice. A lot of books on the walls. Very manly. Whatever. So I told all the guys to come to the ladies room, it was much nicer.

They did.

I wonder how many groups of people that go through the White House have turned the bathrooms into unisex the way we did. Yes, it's always about the bathroom with me. As a kid, my mother swore that I asked to stop at every restroom in the world just to see it. That someday, I'd write a book about it.

Indeed.

The White House was amazing. I was humbled, honored and yes, fawned.

Now, it's back to work. We must win Maine. We must win a transgender rights bill in MA. We need an inclusive ENDA, the end to DADT.

I believe, though, that we are honestly on our way.

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness- For All

Wake up America! A huge battle for rights is about to be voted on in Maine. This will effect everyone from sea to shining sea.

Just like in California in 2008, rights that have already been granted will be voted on. Everyone was shocked when California lost marriage equality- do you know that the same thing could happen in Maine on November 3rd?

Are you ready to do something about it?

The level of outrage across the country was small solace to the thousands of California residents that had their marriage rights, and in some cases their actual marriage, taken away from them. Maine already has a law on the books that allows same sex couples to marry- and religious groups who do not agree, the right not to perform those ceremonies.

It's fair. It's about the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Church and state are separate, as is dictated by our constitution.

I'm married. I'm a lesbian. I have three children. I pay taxes, coach my son's soccer team, go to the grocery store and generally live a pretty quiet life. And I'm really sick of having to say that. My kids all went to public elementary schools in Massachusetts and never once were taught about gay marriage or ANY marriage in school.

Ever.

It is exhausting to have to deal with some religious group's determination to have their beliefs be the guideline for law. I don't care what they believe, I simply want them to leave me alone. I want the right to leave my wife my property, the right to visit her in the hospital, the right to have our children's parents legally recognized.

I'm not going to their church. Why do they want to shove their values down my throat? And why one church and not another? We look at Middle Eastern countries run by Islamic law and think, bad bad bad. But it's okay for the Catholic church to decide what is ok and not ok to have as a law?

Did I mention that no church would be forced to perform these ceremonies? As if I'd want one who thinks I'm going to hell to recognize my lifetime commitment to my wife. Have an ounce of common sense, please.

Are you all listening? Are you all aware that this is a state vote with national ramifications? Because I know the other side is pouring in money from all over the country to try and take rights away.

Take rights away. My rights. I'm not taking away their rights. I have no interest. I believe in free speech and the separation of church and state. Raise your kids to think God hates fags. I'm going to raise mine to believe you have the right to free speech.

I love Maine. I believe in the people of Maine. But the hateful lies being sent out by the folks who would strip away rights have been packaged in tidy little ads that do not require any truth. Save the little, doe-eyed girl from evil homosexuals. Such bullshit.

We are families. We will continue to have children, be active in government, work at jobs, pay our taxes. We'll be in the grocery store telling our kids no to the sugar-filled cereal just like everyone else. We will go to church- the ones that welcome us- and watch football on Sunday afternoons.

Unless they want to take away those rights, too.

And ask yourself, what's next? What right will they deem unacceptable in their view for LGBT people to have- already we cannot serve in the military openly, we cannot marry, we can be fired from jobs, denied housing. Maybe they'll take away our right to vote.

Wake up, America. The world changes, and women are no longer property, African-Americans no longer slaves, and the goal of equality isn't about taking things away. It's about the constitution recognizing everyone.

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

For all.

Do something about it. Don't wait until it's too late.

Drive for Equality in Maine

I have been asked to promote the drive for equality, getting folks into Maine to help get out the vote! So... here it is! All my blog friends, PLEASE repost!


Dear friend,

Can you drive or rideshare to Maine to defeat Question 1? We need you for our Get-Out-the-Vote volunteer shifts from Friday the 30th through Election Day, November 3rd.

Taking a day or half-day trip here is crucial in these final days. Now we're making it much easier for some of you to join us for a little longer.

We're giving hundreds of you a FREE night stay in a Portland hotel.

You can work a couple shifts on Saturday, get a good night of sleep, then grab a Sunday morning shift before heading home. You need to commit to at least two volunteer shifts for the first night. You can stay one night or all five if you are able to keep volunteering each day. Stay as many nights as you can!
ALL of our out-of-state volunteers should register at Drive for Equality.org. To take advantage of the free housing offer, you MUST sign up at Drive for Eqaulity.org. Hotel availability will be verified with you at least 24-48 hours before you leave home.

Can you come to Maine for at least a half-day or longer to protect equality? http://www.driveforequality.org

It doesn't matter if you have a car or not – when you sign up at Drive for Equality.org just check the rideshare box to connect with a driver or with passengers to share the trip and split the gas. Our secure anonymous system let's you post a personal message with your name and location while keeping your contact information private.

Now is the most critical period of this election precisely because together we've identified tens of thousands of supporters. Now we need to verify that those supporters actually vote. Face to face contact is by far the best way to do this.

No experience is required. If you are traveling as a group, or in a carpool, we can usually match you in a shared room. Marriage equality has lost 30 consecutive elections. We're SO close to winning...and losing...again.

Both us and our opponents have the statistically the same number of supporters. The winner will be the one who get's their supporters to the polling place. We NEED your help.

Your short trip CAN make the difference. Join us for GOTV: http://www.driveforequality.org

-Jay

Jay Cash
Director, Drive for Equality

Today at the White House

It is on the White House live streaming video schedule:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/live/

===


October 28, 2009 6:05 PM EDT

President Obama Speaks on Hate Crimes Prevention Act

The White House

That's where I'll be. Take a peek. I promise not to do rabbit ears on the President...

Headed to DC

I am honored, humbled, to have been invited to witness the President signing the Hate Crimes Bill. This is the first, the very first, piece of legislation to be signed into law that includes TRANSGENDER.

Truly honored.

My kids... well... I told them, I'm going to the white house, guys.

They look puzzled.

How long you gone for? asked Jake.

Till Thursday.

They all looked at each other and yelled, TACOS!!!

Hmmm.

There is much still to be done. This is a significant historic step, but only a step. It benefits me if I'm dead or beaten. I want to change the way society views us, all of us, so senseless beatings, brutal attacks based on angry stereotypes end.

I don't expect it all to end. Lynchings still happen. But when they do, there is horror in the reporting, not just on the back page, crammed between sales ads.

I want more. I want an inclusive ENDA, I want an end to DADT, I want my marriage in Massachusetts recognized by the federal government.

I want life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Just as clearly, and without question, as my boys want tacos.

Playing Fair

Can I rant for a few moments? It's that kind of day.

After standing in the rain, coaching my son's soccer team with a single parent- you know, the straight white guy who has not volunteered to coach but feels absolutely comfortable telling the coach (me) exactly what to do when- constantly in my ear while my group of 9 and 10 year old boys ran around in delight on the muddy field, I was frustrated.

Not because we lost- the other team was bigger, pushed a lot and my kids kept checking the sidelines to see if the donuts had arrived- but because there wasn't really anything I could do.

Sure, I could have yelled at the parent to get to the other sideline, where he was suppose to be, but what really is the point? This is not the World Cup, they are just kids and an hour after the game, none of them care what the score was.

It's one of those situations there really isn't anything to be done in. I'm starting to feel the same way about Maine. The other campaign is lying, sending around obscene images and tying them to "the homosexual agenda," in a way that is very reminiscent of what happened in Massachusetts. Meanwhile, the entire porn industry goes merrily on it's way shelling disgusting images to appeal to heterosexual men.

You can't respond because it won't matter. People who believe that, will believe that. There are people who believe "God Hates Fags," as if God would hate, and use such foul language. And yet those folks feel nothing is wrong with having their young children hold those signs up. Because God would want them to hate and be angry, too.

I'm not sure where that is in the Bible but... I've only read it once and it was a long time ago. Maybe they've changed it.

I want to shout "Cheater!" to the Yes on One people, who have used total and complete lies- gay sex will be taught to kindergartners- to scare people into believing a vote will save doe-eyed, blond girls from evil.

So... they teach straight sex in kindergarten?

I asked my middle son, after watching the last batch of outrageous lies, were you taught about sex in kindergarten?

He looked at me like I was nuts. No.

First? Second? Third grade?

No, Mom. That's stupid.

Well, they say we teach gay sex in schools here in Massachusetts because we have marriage equality.

Mom...no.

Did teachers ever talk about marriage at all? Same sex, opposite sex, any kind of marriage?

No, Mom.

Surprise, surprise.

But like standing on the soccer field today with my most annoying parent at my side, there is nothing to be done. No more ads will change any minds. The last, and only, thing to do is to knock on doors and get people to vote. To listen to their neighbors, one last time. Because it is about Maine, the people of Maine, and no one else. Not NOM or the Pope or a kinky street fair that happens in San Francisco that is only for consenting adults.

We can only hope people can see through the lies. Understand that if there is a God? Nothing ever said about God has anything to do with hate.

As those folks knock on doors one last time, it is with cheer, good feelings, and hope. Because we will not stoop that low.

One of my kids at halftime said, let's push 'em back! I said, no. That's not soccer. You play with your head and your feet.

The tide has changed. Marriage equality, for this nation, is only a few years away. When it happens, I want to look my kids in the eye and know that I played fair. That our movement played fair.

Even if I really want to photoshop Peter LaBarbara's head onto a leather daddy body and send that in an email. (Or find a very real photo of him "researching" the decadent gay lifestyle he is so obsessed with.)

Change and Change Again

I'm listening to Zachary and Jake wrestle upstairs- they are sharing a room so my sister can stay here. She has been half the time in Ogunquit, half the time here. I've become quite spoiled- she helps with the cooking, shopping and laundry. I gotta tell you, it's pretty nice. Not to mention to have someone here in the house when Ben gets home and I have to be out picking up Zachary...

I'm not someone who adjusts easily to change, but slowly, over time, I've come to see my sister's being here as wonderful. (And not just because she reads my blog) Yes, the house is very full with six of us, two big dogs, and one very lonely cat who has decided to be a dog, too (I must get a picture of her between the two of them, snuggling). Yes, I do not get the same amount of quiet time as I used to. But there is something really special about watching the boys grow in their relationship to her. To watch her change, before my eyes, into a person who is not obese, who is not dependent on people who are using her, who is starting to see some value in herself.

Oh, she still drives me nuts. She is my sister, after all. But I realize I wouldn't trade it. I wouldn't want her to leave.

And Jake and Zachary seem to enjoy the close proximity- although there have been a few skirmishes about Jake having the nerve to actually touch stuff in Zach's room. After a few days, Jake goes back to his room, all is calm again.

We were all watching glee last night- yes, we lifted the no tv rule because Ben had asked to watch glee- it was the end of a good night. The stove had started smokin' bad when I went to preheat it to make some dinner, so we ended up with pizza and a salad.

Happy boys.

And chocolate cake- Morgan really did send me a cake. I loved that. I told the family that Jeanine may bring home the bacon but I brought home chocolate cake.

Jake said, there is bacon??

But as we watched that show, I realized something. This may seem silly but... I realized I'm almost fifty. That in nine years, the boys will all be out of the house. We've been trying to figure out if we redo the garage into a carriage house- something that will require a ridiculous amount of paperwork and permits- or add on to the house, which would be less paperwork but more chaos. In the meantime, we've stalled on some basic things because we don't know what we're going to do and it seems silly to, say, paint the house if we're going to tear part of it down.

In four years, Ben will be gone. My first bird will have flown.

For some reason, it hit me hard. After everyone went to bed, Jeanine and I talked. What do you see in ten years? I've always thought we'd sell this house, buy a condo in Boston, and spend half our time in Ogunquit. Jeanine agreed. We discussed instead of adding on anything, maybe all we needed to do was to redo the basement so the boys could have a 'hang out space.'

I stopped, for a moment last night, and didn't think about how to get through the next day, week, but what was on the far horizon. We no longer have years and years before we'll be on our own. And I know now, there are some things I will not compromise on- I can never go back to Jeanine working in the film industry. It was awful. Never again. I'm no longer so insecure about myself that I have to give everything over to please someone, in hopes they will love me.

Fifty. I'm almost fifty. It's not a bad thing, by any means. More of a realization. I'm not going to find a great career I love. I'm not someone anyone would hire, for the most part. I'm not willing to be an intern of any sorts and my qualifications are random, hardly contactable dots.

I'm good with kids, but please, don't ask mine.

What is next? What will Jeanine's work look like? What will mine? Will we move sooner, if Jake is in a private school? Will we still have the same paint coating the walls of our house?

I honestly don't know. All I know is that we have entered a stage of life that is very different from the last one. It requires thought and planning. I can no longer wing it from day to day. I no longer bounce back as quickly as I once did.

It's new and the same. Mostly, it is the first change of life that I am not anxious about or afraid of. I enter it with an amazing family all around me. I've donned many different hats, tried many different things so far in my life. What feels different is how capable I am.

I do not like change. This time, though, I will be ready.

I'm Having Cake...

but I thought I'd leave you all with this to watch

Serious Shortage at Home

Big drama today in the house. We are down to our last two rolls of toilet paper.

Years ago, a columnist for the Boston Globe, Diane White, wrote a fabulous piece on what families tended to hoard. Back in the 50's, there were canned good in case of a nuclear attack. Today? Toilet paper. On average, families, if I remember right (it was a long time ago and I can no longer find the column), had at least 10 extra rolls in their house.

I think that's pretty low.

Fear not, I'm on my way to the store to stock back up to about 20 rolls.

Ok, maybe not the deepest thinking today but... sometimes we all need a break.

Lots of Love... and Good Boundaries

Last night was Ben's birthday. 14 years old. It's hard to imagine my little baby with curls and a big giant smile all the time is 14.

Zachary called around 5pm- he and Walter had been in a car accident. Everyone was fine, but Walter's truck is totaled. For all our problems, our issues, when I pulled up to the truck, saw how wrecked it was, all I wanted to do was hug Zachary- and Walter. You know, Walter may drive me nuts but I love him.

Ben was a little difficult all evening, soaking in his birthday, being mean to his brothers and dropping the F bomb every moment he could. My sister finally said to him at the table, you know, not only would your grandmother have slapped either of us for such language, she would have taken the gifts back.

Ben found that amusing.

Ben also came home with a huge hickie on his neck. When asked about it, he got really defensive and I said, listen, bub, you don't even try to cover it up, you're gonna have to answer some questions about it.

It was just a game, he said.

It's middle school, mom. Kids do this.

You know, I went to middle school... I don't remember that.

Get with the times, mom.

I think I aged an extra ten years. I tried so hard to go with it, not create a big fight, but of course, I couldn't.

Maybe this is why I'm so tired all the time. I'm thinking there is something seriously wrong with me, and I need to make a doctor's appointment but you know, it's just the teen years wearing on me.

That or my constant 3AM wide awake, awake awake awake time. At least the cat is happy to be up with me.'

Remember the quote from that book? I gotta tell you, that shabby hotel is starting to look mighty good.

I love my son. I love him so much. He is a good, sweet boy. I know that. I know deep down he is gentle and kind. All he wants is acceptance from his peers. Very normal for any 14 year old. I try to pick my battles but I find myself pulled into the rabbit hole, and before you know it, I'm yelling, he's yelling, we're angry and nothing good is going to happen. I know what he's struggling with and here I am, a big giant available resource- and until he wants it? It means nothing.

For now, I'm going to give up sugar- any kind of refined sugar- and go to bed early for a few weeks. I'm going to try and convince my tired body that it can run, needs to run, and do it no matter how tired I am. I'm going to count to fifty before I respond to him.

Ten is not nearly long enough.

I'm going to try to keep my heart open and show him how much I love him, as often as I can. I'm going to remember that he and I are very much alike- which means I know a little bit about how to reach him.

Lots of love...

and good boundaries.

Big Dip for Big Money

We were all up in Downeast Maine this weekend, celebrating Walter's birthday with lots of steamers, mussels, lobsters and perhaps a couple alcoholic beverages. There were 18 in all, piled around an outside table quickly dipping our steamers into the butter so it wouldn't return to a solid.

I know. It's hard work but someone has to do it.

One of the kids suggested a certain amount of money just might get them to jump in the icy water. As those few alcoholic beverages will do, a brave adult soul said, I'll do it for 50 bucks.

Allan, you really only had half a beer at that point.

Donald quickly said he'd do ten, I said I'd do ten... And then Allan said, I'll jump in for No on One. Whatever is raised, I'll give to the campaign. Within five minutes, we had 120 bucks.



And Allan, did in fact, jump in.



All for a good cause, he went in all the way. Because we're all pretty tight with a dollar, we had to see the head go under the water.



I'm going to ask that everyone jump in. Please. Between now and October 15th, the money needed for the last stretch of this campaign must be raised. Anything after that, while useful, isn't nearly as useful. The right wing is calling Maine "ground zero" and well, enough of that. It's not ground zero, just the water is about zero degrees.

http://www.actblue.com/page/noon1

Please leave me a note so I can tell Allan how much his dip raised overall- because the man deserves more than 120 bucks for his heroic efforts. Besides, it sure beats having to run 10K or walk 26 miles yourself.

You want to know what that money buys? Here's a list:

$10,000 * 1 day statewide television buy

*$8,800* 25,000 pieces of literature to ensure our supporters vote the
correct way

*$7,500 * 1,000 2'x4' road signs to put in high traffic areas for visibility

*$6,000 * will pay for needed turn out calls to 12,000 supporters

*$5,250* 1/2 day statewide television buy

*$4,000* will pay for needed turn out calls to 8,000 supporters

*$3,300 *we can blanket the state with radio ads for 3 days

*$2,800* we could hire 1 full time field organizer

*$2,300* gives supporters rides to polls around 4 key campuses

*$2,000* we can blanket the state with radio ads for 2 days

*$1,800* will pay for needed turn out calls to 3,600 supporters

*$1,600* pays for 4 field organizers for 1 week

*$1,200* will cover literature for one key precinct on Election Day

*$1,000* we can blanket the state with radio ads for 1 day

*$800 * pays for one field organizer for a week

*$720 * would fund 20 canvasses in key counties around the state on a
Saturday

*$550 * pays for one channel of cable for a day

*$420* pays for one much needed field organizer for a week

*$330* is 2 radio commercials to beat back their lies

*$210* pays for 70 $3/day cell phones to talk to targeted voters

*$186 * about the cost of 1 radio commercial

*$137* will buy supplies for 4 door-to-door canvasses

*$108* buys about 100 yard signs for visibility

*$72* will pay for signage for visibility for one weekend on a targeted
campus

*$66 *pays for about 20 $3/day cell phones to talk to targeted voters

*$54* buys 50 yard signs for visibility

*$36* will fund supplies for one door-to-door canvass

*$24* buys 20 yard signs for visibility

Please contribute, even if it's what you'd spend on coffee this week. Everything counts.

And then we'll ask Allan why on earth he had brought his swimsuit with him for Columbus day in Downeast.

Carrots, Giggles and Ninjas

I realized something this weekend.

I can't do it all.

I'm exhausted most of the time. I'm not doing anything well, just a lot of stuff half- assed. I'm done.

We had our last weekend in downeast. Too cold from now on, as we learned the hard way that first Thanksgiving we did up there. Sure, it's a challenge once but I have to say, I really don't like being cold. Never bothered me before but it does now.

Our island neighbor invited us to pick some carrots he had planted. They were delicious. The kids loved walking across the rocks at low tide to pick them, not to mention checking out the tiny spot of land always in our view from the porch.



As were the steamers, and lobsters and mussels... a day long food fest yesterday. It was fun to be with many folks, all celebrating Walter's birthday- a little late but hopefully not a dollar short. Donald, again, cooked up an extraordinary meal.

Today, we packed up, said goodbye to the house till next spring- yes, I will be eager to go way too early again.

But I am so tired. I can't do all I want to do. I know I have to accept the fact that the battle in Maine will go on without me. Actually, almost everything can go on without me- except my family. And right now, for many reasons, my family must be my focus right now.

After the party was mostly over last night, Ben sat on the couch with me and was the silliest I've seen him in so long. Sure, poop and pee were the highlights of his giggles but I saw my boy again. It was sweet. He is such a kind person, deep down.

Zachary was in his "Calvin" mood most of the weekend- getting just on the edge of trouble, then laughing wickedly and running off. I worry he is too "good" too much of the time. It was nice to see him push it.

Jake had his best pal Logan with him. The two of them were playing gin, running around dressed as ninjas, and generally having a blast. It is a priceless friendship the two have- I hope they always have it.

That's what is important. Carrots, giggles, and ninjas. I need to remember I'm not the hub of the universe, that my participation will not make or break anything.

Except in my family.

Fire and Rain

I've had a hard time these last few weeks. Too many responsibilities, too little time to breathe. I miss my wife. She's been working so hard lately, in school for her masters degree and working a demanding full time job.

For some reason, I keep thinking about this song.

Cocktails for a Cause

Sometimes, the work of a volunteer is very very hard. This weekend, Friday and Saturday, there is a bar hop event in Ogunquit to gather volunteers.

I know. Cocktails for a cause.

If anyone is interested, please check in at 718 Main Street, Ogunquit. That's the campaign office. Tell them Sara sent you...

I'll be up in Downeast. Last weekend of the season there, and we'll be celebrating Walter's birthday, closing the place up, and generally having a good time.

It's That Time Again...

It's that time of year again... time to plan the much anticipated Halloween costume. I have to admit, the pressure is always on as I have created a small following that awaits each years outfit.

I still think when I dressed up as the principal of the school, I hit my peak.



The eyeshadow made it perfect. And the skirt was Walter's. Don't ask.

I have a few ideas, one I like the best is fairly entrenched in pop culture and I'm not sure my friends would "get" it because most don't read People magazine.

Any thoughts and ideas are welcome... I like to do something current, something catchy and am not against wearing a dress, as you can see.

Valued Members of Society

I'm ready for a week at the spa. It's been crazy around here in so many ways...

After the cat died, very sad and her sister is walking around the house meowing for her which breaks my heart, Ben was caught skipping class. Oy. As if that was not enough, the next morning I was rear ended in a parking garage. Nice. Then I got lost driving to Zachary's cross country meet in the middle of nowhere, only arriving in time to chase down the bus he had gotten on because I wasn't there. I was in such a foul mood on Wednesday, no one dared speak to me.

I wanted to crawl under the covers and stay there. If only I had that kind of freedom.

Today, I'm headed for Maine while Jeanine and the boys are going to Texas for a family gathering. I am eager to do some work for the campaign up there. The polls say we are ahead, slightly, and I personally never believe polls on this issue. People don't want to say, gosh, no, I don't think those pesky homosexuals should have equal rights. It just doesn't sound nice.

The other side has been saying gay lifestyles will be taught in schools which makes me laugh. Five years, almost six, into marriage equality in Massachusetts and I haven't seen one class in any of my kids schools talk about gay sex. It's a little sickening to see them throw kids out as bait for hate.

It's not about schools. It's about marriage equality. Adults entering into a legal contract that has government benefits. Duh.

Society changes, folks. We don't have slavery anymore and I for one, think that's a good thing. I know there are some who don't, but for the most part, it's one thing we can agree has been a moral benefit for our society. Treating people equally, whether it be women, or people of color or LGBT folks, is a good thing.

Maybe someone should send a note to Buju Banton that his anti-gay lyrics are costing him serious cash. Call me crazy, but calling for gays to be shot and burned in a song is just wrong. Calling for anyone to be killed in a song, is just wrong.

And don't even get me started on the misogyny.

In Maine, real people, real Mainers, are lining up to be in ads, give testimony, in support of marriage equality. As pointed out by local columnist local columnist Bill Nemitz, "Stand for Marriage Maine has attached four – and only four – faces to its televised ad campaign. And of those four, only one person is actually from Maine."

Um... does that tell you something?

As I head off to Maine today, I do so with the hope that my kids will witness a change in our society that reflects our values- that everyone is welcome. That you judge people for who they are, not what they are. That there is nothing 'traditional' about exclusion. That as Americans we truly value individuals beyond a marketing slogan. That marriage equality is the first step of many to acknowledging that LGBT people are their brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, cousins, and they deserve to live without the threat of violence, loss of employment, housing, medical care... oh the list goes on and on.

We are valued members of society.

Even if caught skipping class.