We’re making them nervous. I know that because the headlines are getting stranger and more off-the-wall by the day. Each day I read the mainstream press or watch television news broadcasts I see a sure sign we’re winning the battle and I don’t think I’m being overly optimistic.
Let me explain.
Back in 2010 wow, it feels weird to say that I, like most of our readers, felt hope diminish when an ultra-conservative Florida Legislature took over in Tallahassee. There was also a feeling of dejection when the same happened in the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. Many of those fears came true and the conservatism in power now is unlike anything we’ve seen or nearly three decades.
But through that conservatism comes proof that we’re making progress because those talking heads who oppose us are having difficulty hiding their panic. And that gives me hope.
Watermark, like most news operations, has covered the ongoing drama surrounding California’s Proposition 8 battle since voters approved the ban on same-sex marriage there in 2008. Our online editor, Jamie Hyman, is constantly updating our page with new information pouring out of the courtroom. One day it can look like a victory for our side the next it swings the other way.
But now, with so many legal experts backing Judge Vaughn Walker’s ruling that Prop 8 is unconstitutional and California politicians refusing to support the constitutional amendment, Prop 8 backers have resorted to deep desperation.
Walker, who retired earlier this year, told the press he is gay. What would normally make few waves awoke the conservative folks, who immediately voiced their opinions, claiming Walker should have rescued himself from the Prop 8 trail because of his
Wait a minute.
If he were straight, couldn’t we have made the same argument? In fact, if their crazy notion that his sexuality makes him ineligible to rule on Prop 8, can’t we claim that straight lawmakers in Washington who battle to keep the Defense of Marriage Act are genetically biased as well? We could go one step further and claim that Caucasian judges should not be on the bench when a white supremacist is on trial for harassing killing an African-American person.
It makes no sense.
Another sign of panic on the Right came out of Houston this month.
The FOX network has always fascinated me. Its regular broadcast channel, home of The Simpsons, Family Guy and a long list of reality shows, is always cutting edge and on the progressive side of society. But the organization preaches against equality on its cable news channel.
So we shouldn’t have been surprised when the FOX affiliate in Houston ran a special on whether television was becoming too gay. I doubt it was an accident since it ran right after the recent Born This Way episode of Glee. The short version of the feature went something like this: A reporter asked members of right-wing groups if promoting acceptance of LGBT youth on shows like Glee was harmful. Their response was that it was and that promoting a positive look at homosexuality was like peddling drugs to a drug addict.
How stupid.
My argument is that shows like 700 Club promotes religion, which is responsible for almost every war in the history of our planet. Both the issues surrounding Judge Walker and Houston’s fear of Glee are frustrating, but I rather look at them as signs of progress. Panic is typically a sign that someone finally realizes they’re losing the war.
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This year I was asked by the Pride & Passion organizers to join their host committee. I accepted and I am excited about the upcoming official launch of Pride season on May 21 at the Tampa Museum of Art. The annual celebration not only honors the LGBT community and serves as the official launch of St. Pete Pride, it also promotes and supports the museum’s programs and exhibitions. Each year, Pride & Passion brings out more people and becomes more celebratory and I expect the 2011 event to be no different. I’d like to invite all of our readers to attend the amazing evening at the downtown Tampa landmark on on Saturday, May 21, at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at TampaMuseum.org.
