My Velvet Revolution

[March 3rd, 2004] Last Tuesday, when I heard the president declare war on my people, I was shocked--both by Bush's proclamation, and by how mad it made me feel.

It's weird. Even though I predicted the ever-increasing visibility of queers among the mainstream would piss off uptight conservatives (see "The Gay Generation," Queer Window, WW, Aug. 13, 2003), I never thought they'd sink so low so fast. I figured they'd fight efforts to legalize gay marriage, but I never dreamed the president would propose a constitutional amendment to prevent states from even considering the option.

Nor could I have predicted how upset it would make me. After all, I have a relationship, a house and pets. What do I need marriage for? It's not like it'd give me any more reason to love my partner. And winning the right to sign a document that says I now get to live by the rules of a government that, until recently, considered what I do in the bedroom abhorrent--well, that sounds about as fun as going to the dentist. And I hate going to the dentist.

As a middle-class, white, gay American male working at a place where being gay is OK, I have an easy life. I was happy enough editing special sections (like this week's fashion guide) and writing this column, which normally appears in the culture section of this publication, where I talk about Will & Grace, Ellen and transgendered cops. But this week, my editors wanted me up in the News section--and, for the first time in my professional life, I wanted to be here, too.

That's because, at least at this time in our history, news and culture are hitched to the same star. Sure, I'm much more comfortable telling you what your favorite porn actor is up to or what I think of the new Kylie Minogue CD. But, for this week at least, I have more important things to think about.

And, guess what? I have George Bush to thank for this change of heart. Who knew that our so-called president, whom we didn't even elect, would force me to do the one thing I promised I would never do: grow up.

That's right. Until now, I have gladly sat on the sidelines of queer politics. All those ballot measures Lon Mabon tried to shove down Oregon's throat? Well, truth is, I didn't spend that much time fighting them, unless there was a good potluck or a dance party involved.

And this column? Well, I never wanted Queer Window to be about politics--mainly because talk of politics always seems so boring.

But now I have no other choice. My gut tells me that this is going to be the big fight. I can either sit it out in fear of what might happen--like I've done ever since my first junior-high dodgeball game--or I can buck up and become a loud, proud, outrageously pissed-off gay man.

I didn't sign up to fight in a culture war, but if George Bush can exploit the democratic process for his own political gain--to suck up to the bullies in the church pulpits--then why the hell can't I use my own bully pulpit?

George Bush has proposed that we use the federal Constitution to take rights away from a group of Americans. Think about that. Lon and his boys wanted to mess with the state constitution to equate people like me with pedophiles. Bush wants to go further. Last I looked, there's no law preventing pedophiles from getting married--as long as they're heterosexual.

That's why I am asking you brothers and sisters--queer and straight--to join me in this fight. Not only do we need to make sure George Bush doesn't get re-elected in November, but we also need to tell his right-wing supporters to suck our Florida.

I'm ready to hit the streets. Are you?