Seize the Moment

This post is dedicated to my heterosexual friends, family, and acquaintances that tell me they "just don't understand" why we think we deserve certain things like gay marriage. It is also dedicated to the delusional that roam within the fold.

Today, on the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, President Obama, politics rules the universe. Many of 'us' avoid politics for various reasons. Some, because they feel nothing gets done... others still think that it just doesn't affect their lives personally. Understandable.

Or should I say, Understandable?

Today I watched the Inauguration with tears of joy streaming down my face. I've never felt that sensation before, and for those who have experienced success, struggle, pain, and suffering -- you know that politics is EVERYTHING... whether you like it, or not. Politics is in the office... on Capitol Hill... in your house... in your family... amongst your friends... it's always there.

Of course, I can't speak for you personally - but for me, I can attest to the success of adhering to a strict policy of not ever turning my back on the power of 'politics'. I wouldn't have this house over my head. I wouldn't have the car I drive. I wouldn't have the promotions at work. Quite simply, I refuse to let people step all over me... and I've been told many times what I can't do, where I can't go, and who I can't be. The painful thing is that most of the time, it was the people closest to me that dished out the harshest criticism.

Bottom line - we have to look out for each other and ourselves, and that's what politics is truly about. Seize a moment of change, drop the defeatist attitudes, and do something to better ourselves rather than rely solely on politicians. I, for one, feel really good about this day -- for more reasons than one. Now, will the Obama Administration actually do anything for the GLBT community? That remains to be seen. But, if we collectively lie around and do or say nothing -- then we will certainly have footprints embedded all over our bodies.

I, for one, would love to see our community stop feeding existing stereotypes that we are nothing more than empty, dirty, sex-loving, lusting fiends who will burn in hell. For the most part, I feel like our counterparts see us as soul-less human beings devoid of feelings, sentimentality, and all the other components of respectable human beings. I would love to see our community work harder to erase these thoughts -- and open people's eyes to who GLBT human beings really are.

However, more and more, I feel that we as a community are bringing most of our problems and difficulties upon ourselves. How can we expect those on the outside to respect us and treat us as equals if we are showing them exactly what they believe we are? After combing through many blogs that are GLBT oriented, it sucks to run across those that are nothing more than just hot male photos and outright porn. But, as I find those to the contrary, I'm certainly excited to add them to my list of blogs to keep up with.

After all... we are teachers; doctors; dentists; lawyers; community organizers; mentors; church-goers; law enforcement; military servicemen. We are EVERYWHERE -- and we have hearts and souls. We have friends and family in the military that fight and die for a country that generally hates them for who they are. In the face of adversity, we bleed with desire, ambition, and conscience -- and deserve to be much more than some bible-thumper's moral stepping stone.

So, if you have any recommendations for blogs, stories, and links that support this view of our community, please send them to me! Some talk about sexuality is natural and good -- as long as the blog or site doesn't focus entirely on that aspect of the GLBT community. I look forward to your recommendations and passing them along to those on the outside!