BLOG: Visions of Future Gay Pride Weekends

I did not attend this year's gay pride celebration but crosswalk minutiae aside, everyone I have spoken to who did, said it was very cool. It was fun and welcoming and silly and funny and perfect and lovely and about a million other words that speak to its virtues.

Our president and veep supporting equal marriage and June being declared Gay Pride (GLBT Pride) month probably added a frisson to the party that was a hope that seemed unattainable in past years. It seemed a perfect moment. I wish I had gone as I have in the past.

Assuming the Mayans goofed and the Long Count is not the same as down for the count, I would like to paint a small scenario for next year if the GOP wins the White House and even more control of this country. There will be no crosswalks to argue about; no floats, no Grand Marshals and probably lots of private parties of the American citizens the GOP considers sinners. There will be no reason to celebrate Gay Pride because homosexuality will have been shoved back into a closet from sea to shining sea.

American men and women - considered evil, perverted and sick will be treated just that way. The next man who could become POTUS will tar and feather the GLBT community and undo all the forward advances that have been made. The rescinding of DADT is not chiseled in stone. The idiotic DOMA could be back on the books and the lives of a portion of our compatriots demonized by fiat, Congress or Executive order.  

Why do I suggest this could happen? Because it could. Because keeping this country safe from theocrats, homophobes and wingnuts who want to keep this country safe from anything they don't believe in is our cause. Ours. Straight and Gay.

So here is what I suggest - I suggest that all of us who do not want to even entertain this Orwellian version of American history get out the vote. Work for the party of your choice - but consider what exists as a possibility and then decide who that is. If you have money to donate - let it be for this in large amounts. The wave of bigotry, hate and ugliness that is engulfing our country is terrifying. And I am straight, married and will never need pro-choice. Think about the wonderful weekend we all saw happen here and make sure it happens again and again.

Crosswalks or not.