History was made last night when Barack Obama was elected to be the 44th president of the United States.  I, as well as my whole apartment complex knows this of course, because  my neighbors across the way, who just so happen to be black, announced it at the top of their lungs to everyone in earshot when it was final.  I smiled. 

That’s an accomplishment that just very few years ago would have been unthinkable.  A black man becoming president?  Somewhere Martin Luther King and Malcom X are grinning ear to ear.  I think it’s awesome, and it’s a huge step forward for this country. 

However, there’s some sad news as well.  News that I’m very unhappy about, and although I’m proud that my country can finally move ahead in the matter of racism, it’s taken a huge leap backward in equal rights. 

Of course, I’m talking about Proposition 8 in California.  Or Proposition H8 as it’s commonly known, because it is just that:  Hate.  Pure and simple. 

Proposition 8 is all about defining the act of marriage as one between a man and a woman.  This simplistic definition is based on outdated religious beliefs and pointless tradition, and is in no way applicable to modern times.  Furthermore, this amendment to the constitution of the state of California is in itself unconstitutional.  It’s nothing more than absolute discrimination, and that’s not a point for debate.  I don’t care what your religion, tradition, or personal beliefs are.  Discrimination is WRONG.  People who voted yes on this should be ashamed of themselves, and really need to take stock of their values.  This isn’t about religion.  This isn’t about politics.  This is about the freedoms our constitution guarantees us.  This is about right vs. wrong.  You let your country down tonight.  You made the wrong decision.

So although we’ve taken an important step forward, we’ve also taken a big step back.  It’s frustrating to me that we keep getting closer and closer to being an equal people, yet when we finally have that opportunity, we spit in its face and shoot it down, all because of some outdated beliefs and total ignorance. 

I take solace in this though, and read my words carefully.  The day is coming.  A couple of decades ago, if you’d have asked anyone if there would ever be a black president, they’d have laughed in your face.  What happened tonight was proof that ideals and traditions and values can and will change.  I look forward to the day when it happens again, and everyone can have the rights they deserve, not only as Americans, but as human beings.  Apparently that day isn’t today, but it’s coming.  That day is coming.

Congratulations to Barack Obama.  You’ve moved our country forward.  I have two words for you:  Thank you.

To all the bigots and haters in California, people who can’t move past the last century, people who can’t seem to grasp the idea of equal rights, I have two words for you too.  Care to guess what they are?

By now, everyone has seen this magazine on the newsstands:

It’s a shot of Clay Aiken holding his new son and exclaiming to the world how he’s gay and always has been.  No one in the entire world was surprised.

Unless… you live in Utah County, Utah.  If you live there, and you happen to shop at Macey’s super-conservative-mega-expensive grocery stores, you saw this:

It’s a good thing to know Macey’s is protecting my kids from horrible, evil gay people.  I was worried for a while.  After all, instead of teaching tolerance and understanding, I’d rather we just cover it up, because if you close your eyes and hum really loud, you don’t have to see the real world at all.  As a bonus, I’m glad that you’ve covered up the gay people, but in doing so you’ve managed to draw more attention to the anorexic stars of the new “90210″ on the magazine next to them, so my kids can idolize them and grow up to be sickly little stick people.

I ask:  Which of these covers is more offensive?

People, there is seriously something wrong with the attitudes of the American public.  All this talk about “Proposition 8″ in California has got me all riled up.  Worse, I hear it a lot because I live in Utah and the Mormon church is leading the crusade against gay marriage by championing the whole thing and viciously protesting it, all the while maintaining that the church is “neutral” in political affairs.  What a crock of horseshit.  Religions need to stay out of this thing.  Marriage is a civil union, not a religious one, no matter how much you’d like to believe it.  Sorry, but that’s the truth.  Religions get no say in the matter of marriage at all.  None.

I’ll lay it out this way.  There are changes coming.  Just like 40 years ago, when black people were finally being recognized as the human beings they are, changes are coming.  You can’t stop them, you can’t close your eyes and wish them away, and you can’t pray them away.  Changes are coming, and you’d better just get used to the idea that gay people are still people just like any other people and they deserve the same rights and privileges as any people do.  This WILL happen, and you WON’T stop it.  Mark my words all you bigoted haters and judgmental jerks, it will happen.

Put away your attitudes and your hate and your bibles and accept reality.  Change is coming whether you like it or not.