An Open Letter To Family, Friends & Followers

Dear Friends, Family & Followers,

It's just days before the election and I wish I had the time and money to sit down with each of you, travel to your city to spend time with you, and have a thoughtful conversation with you.  I know you've probably gotten your ballot by now, and some of you may have even cast it.  Mine's going out tomorrow.  If you have yet to cast your vote, I hope you'll listen to what I have to say and take it in to consideration when filling in those little bubbles on your ballot. 

This is a very important election.  I'm just gonna take it from the top in regards to what is important to me right now. Rip off all the bandaids. Referendum 74.  Re-Electing Barack Obama.  Getting some Senators and Congressmen in DC who will get off thier ass and get something done!

Referendum 74, if approved, will legalize same sex marriage in the State of Washington.  It's time.  It's time for us to take care of this, and get past it, so we can focus on other struggles that need attention, and there are many.  I'm a lesbian.  I want the right to all the other rights my fellow Americans have.  It's that simple.  I deserve it.  I pay taxes.  I've had my perils with our legal system and I have respected the outcomes.  I work hard, I contribute in a positive way to my community, I'm a dedicated and loving friend, sister, daughter, fiance, mother, employee....need I go on?  You get the point.  I, and every other member of the LGBTQAlphabet soup  deserve our rights.  As Americans.  If you are on the fence about this, I implore you to ask yourself why. 

Is it because of religion?  Because if that is your stance, I would ask you, should we rule our country by YOUR religion?  I thought America was the home of the free.  Seperation of church & state.  LEGALLY, I should be able to get married.  I don't have to do it in your church. Frankly, I don't want to.  I just want my rights.  I don't want a partnership that I've dedicated myself to over a lifetime, that I've invested myself in, to fail me at the end of my lifetime because laws don't recognize it.  If you think that gays can't raise kids and have a healthy family dynamic, I invite you to come over to my house.  I think we do pretty well, thankyouverymuch.  I think you would think so too, if you gave it a chance.  Disfunction is human nature and happens in all families.  Trust me, I speak from experience.  Gays are not what makes disfunction.  I see these Reject 74 signs around and they say "Marriage=One Man+One Woman".  Says who?  I'm asking sincerely.  ...and if you reference the bible, I'm gonna ask you to get me a meeting with the actual person who wrote it.  I've always had a little bit of a hard time with the bible because it's kind of like the telephone game to me.  It's been passed down and it's contents so distorted, I feel like it lacks credibility.  I respect your right to believe and have faith in and follow whatever you wish.  Can't you respect my right to live my life how I wish?  If you can't, quite simply, I think you are unreasonable, and I wish you would look at that.

Are you afraid that it would weaken the definition and respect for the institution of marriage?  Well my friends, I ask you.  Is it only straight people that are allowed to do this?  I mean, come on.  Kim Kardashian just had a sham of a marriage, arguably for the publicity.  Britney Spears was married for less than 3 days.  Newt Gingrich left a a wife battling a serious desease for his mistress.  Til death do us part hasn't and won't be disparaged by the gays any more than it has our hetero counterparts.  There are high divorce rates and broken heterosexual families all over the place.  Let's not pretend that straight people own the sanctity of marriage.

Please, please look inside yourself.  If you need to ask yourself what Jesus would do, please, think about that.  Because I think jesus would be on the right side of history here. 

My friend Ruby Aquino summed it up well in a Facebook Post today:

First of all, I am a PERSON, a HUMAN BEING. I came into this world just like you, sat next to you in class or the pews at Church, at times shared the same views, pay my taxes just like you, perhaps have a few laughs, or even became best of friends. But the world we live in, I am given a label, put in a box, ostracized, oppressed, and judged for being "ME". I do not ask for sympathy nor will I ask for acceptance. All I ask for is the same rights granted to every free citizen. LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. PLEASE VOTE "YES" ON REF#74.

Vote to approve 74 people.  Let's move on to the next struggle.

In regards to re-electing Barack Obama, it must happen.  If we have Romney as President, those of you who vote for him deserve exactly what you get and I, along with millions of other Americans will resent the fuck out of you.  Sorry, real talk.  Romney has pivoted on policies so many times, how the hell can you trust what he'll do when he's carrying about the atomic football?  You really want that mans finger on the button?  You think he'll create jobs?  This man who practically invented outsourcing?  Please girl, please.  You think he's going to make your finances better?  Unless you are preparing to install an elevator for your car, he doesn't give a fuck about you.  Let's be real.  He's a bully, as demonstrated by the debates.  You want that in charge of our foreign policy?  You want another 9/11, more war?  COME ON!  That's what got us into this mess!  You are opposed to Obama care?  Please read the legislation before you make up your mind on that.  There are issues that need to be tweaked, sure.  There always are.  But FINALLY, we are going in the right direction.  Voting Republican because it's all you've done your whole life?  Go rouge.  It'll feel good.  You afraid of the black man?  GET OVER IT!  ...and if you are a woman voting for Romney, SHAME ON YOU.  For reals.  His comment on the Lilly Ledbetter act was to make no comment about whether he supports it or not.  He supports a ban on abortion.  What?  Is this 1952?  Lastly, if you know me, and you love me, think about how his policies on gays will affect me and my family, my community, my friends.  If you can vote for that and feel good about yourself, I don't mind saying you make me sick.  Sorry, again, real talk.

I struggled with whether or not to write this and given a less busy schedule I am sure I could be more cojent and argue more positions on things.  It's as simple as this.  You are either on the side of moving forward, about progressing, about making things better, or you want to relive George W Bush's terms all over again.  To me, there is no question.  NONE.

Step away from Fox News, do some online research, and not just of your favorite newscasters, bloggers, public figures.  Reach beyond that.  Then make up your mind for yourself. 

...and don't tell me you aren't voting.  I think that is the most irresponsible, un-American thing you could possibly do.  If you live in this country and benefit from it's infrastructure, it is not only your right to vote, but it is your responsibility.  Don't let them steal this election!  Not again. We've been there.  We don't need to relive that drama.

Get your vote on people!  Then celebrate with me on November 6th, late into the night

I'm counting on you!

XXX


L.A.K.