I have been a human rights activist for a long while now, and I am looking at the repeal of the Defence of Marriage Act, and I have some grave concerns about this bill. I have been following the articles that have appeared across the country from the Liberal Left Coast to the Liberal New England States to the South and to the Mid-West. My worse fears about this repeal of the DOMA seem to be justified. Judging by the comments I have read from around the country it is misguided and dangerous.
The Traditional Family crowd seems more vile after the introduction of this Bill. It greatly concerns me that Barney Frank has not signed on to this Bill. He should have been a natural supporter of this Bill. So, I had to ask myself why he was not supporting this bill.
The repeal of the DOMA is going to cause great harm to the states that we have actually made progress in, and the states that we have made no progress in are going to be further solidified to their opinion. I have been watching the fight in Washington State where I currently lived. I had great hope that the everything but marriage domestic partnerships would be able to beat down the referendum, but after reading the aftermath when the repeal of the DOMA was introduced I can no longer have the option of being optimistic. Looking at the growing trend of hate crimes and bar raids this is going to only intensify the violence.
To all my queer friends please remember be safe, go out with friends, be mindful of public displays of affection, do not fight if you are attacked run, have a cell phone with you, make sure you have pepper mace, watch out for your queer brothers and sisters, but most importantly please be very safe. Remember the spirit of Harvey Milk, and remember the spirit of the Stonewall Drag Queens. Do not lose hope, but please be safe, be mindful, and watch out for yourself and family.
I hate to have to issue such a warning, but after seeing two bars raided in the last three months, and after seeing an increase in the reporting of hate crimes I urge you all to be safe.
