What is all this talk about Marriage?

After leaving the liberal state of Massachusetts and traveling through the bible belt and into the southwest, I have come to the conclusion that the queer community is completely divided. I am very proud of the six states that have passed equal marriage rights across the country. I would also like to remind people of the many states that are far behind of these few fortunate states. 

The majority of the states in our country have been unsuccessful in passing legislation that protects the queer community in housing, employment, and hate crimes. Even in my home state of Massachusetts we have no protections that extend to our transgender brothers and sisters. There is something wrong with this and the mentality that each state is on its own. It is time that we reach out and help these states catch up. We need to unite and fight for these rights on a federal level. 

Lately, I feel the emphasis has been solely directed toward defeating DOMA (Defense Of Marriage Act). Why are we, as a community, not pushing for a nation-wide ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act) that would protect us in employment, or putting heat on the Senate to pass the Mathew Shepard Act that would protect us federally from hate crimes? This would bring us all onto the same page and really unify our community. Then, as a united force, we can take down DOMA. 

I am outraged at the slew of Gay activists that think that marriage equality is the ONLY and BEST cause to be fighting for. Marriage equality is not going to protect gay parents from being fired from their jobs; married or not! Marriage equality is not going to protect the transgendered person that is being evacuated from New Orleans during a hurricane when they are separated by gender! Marriage Equality is not going to protect our queer youth in our public schools!

 

So I ask you, where are your priorities? I am speaking out to my whole queer family and I implore you to give marriage a rest and together lets fight for the safety of our people before we go off and get married. Oh, and cut President Obama some slack!