I’d Just Allow A Fragment of Your Life to Wander Free

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DOMA, DPchallenge, Elton John, Elvis Costello, Empathy, Equality, gay marriage, George Michael, In A Town Called Malice, love, marriage, Music, Prop 8, San Francisco, Supreme Court Ruling, teachable moment, The Jam, What's So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding

I’ve been a teacher for twelve years, and we teachers know lessons when they bonk us on the head. Ok, let’s be fair–we know them before they actually arrive. Last night, I thought about today’s newest decision from the Supreme Court. We Californians, especially San Franciscans, knew that a verdict on the legality of Prop 8 would be coming up before the summer recess. We held our breath, like we have done from the bittersweet moment Obama was elected (progressive) and Prop 8 passed (regressive).

I need to make it clear my personal stake in the overthrow of DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act). I am fortunate enough to be a straight, middle-class, well-educated white female. If I were a man, I would maybe have only a slight leg up. I have always known my fortune in life–my parents granted it to me, and made it clear that I should use it to my advantage but never abuse it, or hold it over anyone else’s head. I am not married. But I hope to be someday. If I am lucky enough to find a good person, one who loves life, and completes me in some small way, I hope to share what so many of my friends and family already experience.

But, I have other friends and family members. Hell, we all do. We all have at least one friend or family member, regardless of how distant, that is gay or transgendered or bi-curious. They may not yet be born. They may or may not be out of the closet, for their

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