October 11th: National Coming Out Day

I believe that all human beings are one at the cellular level. Our cells align themselves in different ways, which makes some of us blue-eyed, some of us brown-haired, some of us dark or light skinned, some of us gay, some of us straight. But at the very root, we are all the same.

We have certain rights as human beings, some of which have been made into law in order to protect us from abuse. Like the right to habeus corpus (oops, we lost that one), the right to a fair trial (oops, some of us lost that one too), the right to know who our accusers are (oops, that's gone too), the right to our privacy (Gol-darn! That's gone too!), the right to peaceful protest (Um. Ok, after the Republican National Convention, I guess that one's out the window too), the right to free speech (that one's teetering on the brink). Well, ok, we don't have many more rights left, so let's make sure we appreciate the ones we do have.

It took way too long for women to get the vote, for black people to win equal rights. Someday soon, I hope that America grows up and gives all rights to gay people: all the rights associated with marriage (no, civil unions are NOT enough so don't even go there), the right to be protected from discrimination because of our sexual preferences.

Today, because of a post over at pandagon.net, I found out that it is National Coming Out Day. So, I decided I've been in the closet for way too long. I need to be bold and declare:

I am coming out as a straight person who is an ally of gay people. I went over and signed The Straight For Equality Pledge. I did this because I love my fellow man and fellow woman. I want the best that life can offer to be available to each and every one of us. I'm not talking about material things. I'm talking about the freedom to love one another as we see fit. I stand steadfast and support my fellow human beings and will defend them, at every turn, against ignorance and abuse.

I urge all of you other straight folks out there to do the same.

And for those of you who are gay and have not yet declared yourself, I wish you the courage to do so, in your own time. As a person who just decided to start being myself at the ripe old age of 50, I can tell you that trying to be someone you're not can make you depressed, and physically ill. And while trying so hard to please others in order to be accepted in whatever silly game that was currently being played, I was depriving the world of my most exquisite uniqueness. So, be gentle with yourself, and be bold when you are ready. I'll be there in spirit, cheering you on.

For my friends in Arizona, California and Florida, please...

California: Vote No On Prop 8
Arizona: Vote No On Prop 102
Florida: Say No 2 Campaign