After reading about this: Sonoma County CA separates Elderly Gay Couple
I'm reminded about something that happens in my own family. It’s not out of anger, mind, just a situation that burns me to my soul. My brother, that romancer in a ponytail, lives with one of the nicest people I know—and have known, apparently, since elementary school. She knew my family from when we lived in New York, where her family lived around the corner. Time passed and her and my brother ended up in the same space. My brother, not really forthcoming in the wedding ring department after two wonderfully dramatic marriages just kept it simple and moved in with her.
And after seven weeks together in Colorado, they have a common law marriage. Regardless of the fact this bear cave has been in existence since August 14th, 2001 (when the Otter brought my step cat with him and decided to stay a bit), my brother only had seven weeks. Seven weeks and he can help her, legally, on a mulititude of items. This would include helping divvy up her estate after her passing and making sure her family is included.
And people wonder what we are fighting for in all of our screaming, yelling and growling. This bear, for one, wants what the ponytailed brother has. We were raised the same, have the same feelings and beliefs—but he gets more because he is with a woman.
I don’t get it.
So Obama made this memo. I really hope it means something. I’m reminded of President Clinton who made many, many overtures to the bears of the world. And then, once in the White House, he actually did follow through, believe it or not, tackling gays in the military almost immediately.
SIDENOTE: Lesbians in the military are a given. Have you seen them? I mean, seriously. It’s almost redundant. But think of the bears. Yeah, they’ll have to shave off their beards, but with all the grunting and woofing? AND a gun? Massively appropriate…or not. Maybe that’s what they are afraid of.
Clinton hit a wall that created the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. He didn’t realize that Washington and the military, in particular, are not exactly places were decisions are made quickly or in favor of equality. They are full of myriads of people with their hands out waiting for their fair share. Being ‘equal’ is just too much of an ideal to really move on it. Poor Clinton was forced to agree to this terrible policy lest something worse comes forth.
Obama is in the same boat, folks, we have to be serious about this. He wants change, but there are too many people who have power that are waiting for some kind of payment. I’m reminded of the Republicans. They wanted all these concessions in the Health Care bill. This included the removal of anything related to GBL communities. So Obama and the House removed everything to keep them voting for the bill.
They voted against it anyways.
So now? No rights in the health care bill for my bear-brethren. The bill passed, but we’re screwed…again.
Obama is realizing that getting things moving in a system that is so stagnant is virtually impossible. I can only imagine what his face is going to look like at the end of all of this.
How can he get equal rights for gays and lesbians in a system that is so basically fucked over?
This memo, to me, is a show of good faith. But the fact is it means nothing. First, look at the story about the Sonoma County couple. This, my friends, is what Mr. Bespectled is looking at and panicking about. I worry, horribly about my Otter. If he were sick and they held me at the door? I’d be in prison for punching an elder nurse and taking out a doctor with two upper cuts and a face claw.
Of course, I’d be arrested and Otter would die alone. But I wouldn’t be allowed in anyway.
How can the red states not see this?
And poor Obama—he can’t get shit done these days with Republicans standing in his way with their hands out. There is no benefit in giving equal rights in their opinion.
Now comes the part you, dear reader, will hate. The church gives a shitload of money to the G.O.P. Think about it. Voting in favor of equal rights would mean that they would lose more cash, since the church uses queers as cannon fodder to provide for themselves.
I keep thinking about ticks on a mule for some reason.
I just wish he could do more for us then just a memo. Yes, it’s a show of good faith, and I know he’s trying. But I shouldn't have to be growling about this...I should be growling about how I was shortchanged at the coffeehouse or that hotels at D-Land are too expensive. Not about if my husOtter is going to live. That bothers me more....
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