Exercising A Right

As pleased as we were with the outcomes of many of the elections that happened this fall, we were once again saddened by the ballot initiatives that limited the rights of same sex couples in California, Arkansas, Florida and Arizona. We decided to join in the nationally organized protest that took place simultaneously in cities all over the country and in ten different countries. Anne and the kids made posters and we joined in the crowd that gathered outside of the county government building in downtown Minneapolis. A number of different people spoke to the crowd, mostly city and state elected officials. The most inspiring speeches were from a lesbian pastor (married to her partner, both mothers to an 18-month-old) and the Minnesota family that is featured in the movie For The Bible Tells Me So.

I'm glad that Della and Bjorn were able to participate in a peaceful demonstration and the whole experience opened the door for us to talk as a family about human rights and how those rights have to include the gays and lesbians that we know. I hope everyone will continue to have this conversation with their families, their neighbors and their co-workers. We need to talk about it at home, in school, at work and in church. We need to keep talking about it until we're sick and tired of talking about it. Then, find somebody else to talk about it to. Love is better than hate. It's time to change people's minds. One person at a time.