I attended the inauguration and literally rubbed shoulders with all sorts of concerned and committed citizens, celebrating the second term of Barack Obama. Happily, we stood for hours in line, in the cold -- feeling the importance of the day and savoring the good cheer.
President Obama -- the man I supported with everything I got through two elections -- gave a full-throated endorsement of equality for the LGBT:
We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths –- that all of us are created equal –- is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall; just as it guided all those men and women, sung and unsung, who left footprints along this great Mall, to hear a preacher say that we cannot walk alone; to hear a King proclaim that our individual freedom is inextricably bound to the freedom of every soul on Earth.
Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law — for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well,”
Rev. Luis Leon gave a beautiful benediction, including reminding the world that the LGBT are made in God's image, just like everyone else:
We pray for your blessing because without it, we will see only what the eye can see. But with the blessing of your blessing we will see that we are created in your image, whether brown, black or white, male or female, first generation or immigrant American, or daughter of the American Revolution, gay or straight, rich or poor.
And then I finished the day surrounded by my close friends Tony and Chris, and spending the evening with my nephew Jason, who turned 22 years old yesterday, and eating delicious bundt and chocolate cake.
I don't think I have ever been prouder to be an America, an progressive and LGBT activist, and to be myself. Love is in the cold DC air...and in my heart.
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