|
On Tuesday, some of us will have our voices heard in mayoral, congressional and gubernatorial races. Others will vote on a few referenda. The question is: Which voices will be loudest? I’d like to think that those of us who live in Maine, Michigan and Washington will vote first and foremost as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. Having our civil rights and the well being of our families in mind, one would hope for a NO on Question 1 in Maine, which asks whether the state legislature’s decision to legalize same-sex marriages should be overturned or not. Likewise, one would hope for an APPROVE on Washington's ballot initiative, which maintains the Senate's "everything but marriage" bill, which includes all the rights, responsibilities and obligations granted or imposed by state law on married opposite-sex people in a domestic partnership. And finally, we hope for a YES on Kalamazoo’s referendum, which asks whether sexual orientation or gender identity should be added to the city's non-discrimination policy.
These situations are obvious and pretty straightforward. I could not imagine a rational LGBT person who would not make these choices. However, when it comes to choosing a mayor, representative in congress or governor, how will you decide? Which of your voices will be loudest? That of the small business owner who dreads laying off employees due to unaffordable health care costs? The parent who is concerned about the declining standards of your school district? The feminist who strongly believes in safeguarding choice? The loyal Democrat, Independent or Republican? Or will the voice of the gay or trans person rise above the cacophony? In Virginia’s gubernatorial contest for instance, will you lend your vote to Bob McDonnell, even though he believes that we should remain second class citizens, having written in his infamous and revealing thesis that government policy should favor married couples over "cohabitators, homosexuals or fornicators" and continuing to argue that marriage is reserved for opposite-sex couples? Will you do so because you are a staunch Republican or an “independent” Democrat like Sheila Jackson, who believes that the social conservative will uplift the state’s economy? Or will you support the hapless Creigh Deeds in spite of his dismal polling numbers and the fact that he really is no less socially conservative than McDonnell, hoping that the DNC would make Deeds fall in line when it comes to gay rights? Or will you simply sit it out? For those of us in New Jersey, will you go for Independent Chris Daggett because he is neither Corzine nor Christie and is pro-LGBT? Does it matter that doing so would split the vote? Or will you choose Chris Christie because he is fiscally conservative, even though he does not support equality for all Americans? Perhaps you will go for Jon Corzine, though you might have reservations about his performance, because he has our back.
Then there are those of us in Northern New York who are debating whether Dede Scozzafava, Bill Owens or Doug Hoffman should be the next House Representative for the 23rd Congressional District. Who will you vote for and why? Which voice will you have heard? Some would argue that we are more than our sexual orientation. Agreed. But consider the fact that all other issues, interests and constituencies have more advocates and votes than we do. There will be enough people making sure that elected officials and government pay attention to the economy and health care. There are countless organizations and activists that clamor on behalf of corporations, small businesses, labor, education, the environment and others. You can bet that candidates listen to their concerns, and that those elected on November 3 will still have these mandates ringing in their ears when they enter office.
But we are the minority among minorities. Although more and more fair-minded people are coming to our side and fighting for our civil rights, we need every vote and as many elected officials committed to our cause. We need to be heard. So on Tuesday, come out and vote resoundingly gay.
 Posted by Erwin de Leon,
| Oct. 29 at
9:05 AM |
Permalink: http://www.washblade.com/blog/blog.cfm?blog_id=27838
 E-Mail
this blog post |  |  Sound
Off about this blog
|
