So, my auction kinda died. I was really ready to get back into it, but after the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, it seemed inappropriate to pretend to auction off my right to marry, even to raise money for GLBT equality.
But while I re-strategize, I thought it would be a good idea to hand someone else the mic. True, marriage equality is not a hot-button issue at the moment. But being quiet would be a big mistake.
Tracy Fletcher, a Portland, Maine resident who works as a caregiver for mentally disabled adults was hoping to marry her girlfriend, but was denied after voters rejected what the state's governor had made law. To watch this happen as a straight ally was bad enough, but I will never know what it's like to have my rights taken away like that. Tracy knows exactly how it feels, and that is why I'm giving her the floor. (The following was originally posted on Facebook.)
"My Name Is Gay" by Tracy Fletcher
In May of 2009, Governor Baldacci passed the law that allowed same-sex couples the right to marry. This was a moment that made me proud to be a Mainer. It finally felt as though the caveman mentality was diminishing and progression was the future. That feeling came crashing down when conservative Maine gathered the required signatures to put this law to popular vote. It leads me to question, why do we vote to put people into office if we can just as easily undo anything they pass into law? Why aren't we running this state on our own? Why waste state funding for their payroll?
I digress...
In November, the people voted against same-sex marriage 53-47%. The day following the vote, I remember waking up next to my girlfriend. I remember laying in bed with tears streaming down my face. I felt betrayed. Betrayed by all my "friends" who did not vote. I felt betrayed by those who were in favor, yet had better things to do that day. I felt betrayed by people who felt that I was sick. My state voted me a second class citizen. Some say we acted dramatic. Some say we took it too personally. How could I not? This effected MY life. As a state, you deemed my pursuit of happiness less worthy than any given heterosexual. So yes, I cried. I cried for days, weeks...I cry today. As I gathered with my community to mourn and regroup, we were met with gloating from "Yes on 1" voters. We were met with signs that read "Get over it."
*slight chuckle* Get over it. Why didn't YOU get over it when Baldacci, the governor that popular vote elected into office, signed in favor of my right to marry? No, you couldn't get over it. You refused to accept it because you felt it was wrong. Well, dear Mainers, we feel YOU were wrong and we will not "get over it." We will continue to raise our voices and fight for what WE believe is right. You see, there is a difference between us and them. They, conservative America, fight for the sake of winning. We, socially liberal America, have something worth fighting for. We have a purpose and something to actually gain from the battle. Rights. Equality. Love.
We are not inviting you into our bedroom. We don't want you there. What we share on an intimate level is between each other. Not you, society. However, we do invite you to see us for the people we are. We are your police officers, firefighters, medical professionals, caregivers, teachers, salespeople and lawyers. We are your co-workers, friends and family members. We are people who bleed, feel and love just as anyone else in this blessed world. We are not seeking special rights. We are not seeking to change or taint the meaning of marriage. We simply want to be included. We want to have the same legal rights and protections for our loved ones and families. Separate can never be equal. Please don't be fooled into thinking that domestic partnerships or civil unions offer even a remote equivalent to what marriage offers.
I am not sick. I am not evil. I am Tracy. I am a healthcare professional. I care for those who cannot care for themselves. I am in love with Trisha, an educator and graduate student. We both come from large families. We have the support and love of those around us. All we want is to have a binding lifetime commitment that unites us as one. How is this, what we have, possibly a danger to marriage?
Words are the greatest weapons we possess. They can cut deep to one's core, devastate a community and take lives. Words can also heal. They can lift spirits. Raise hope and save lives. I am begging you, the world, to please...stop the hate. Open your minds. Listen to what is being said. This world is being taken over by hatred. Our pettiness is unfair to our future.
Stop the violence. Erase the hate. Live and let Love.
Peace.
Thank you, Tracy! And don't worry - we won't shut up.