Happy Pride Month!

As I'm sitting here in my hotel room in Massachusetts, I find it quite fitting to write this post. June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Pride Month. And here I am this June, in the wonderfully ahead of its time progressive state of Massachusetts. Nearly 10 years ago, almost 4 years before any other state, Massachusetts legalized equal marriage.

I just wanted to take a moment to recognize some of the strides we have made as a nation since last Pride month.

It has been a wonderful year full of progress! Boy scouts of America officially overturned their policy banning gay scouts by a large majority. The issue of DOMA is now in the supreme court. Outcome is unknown, but it is amazing it made it there. Regardless of the decision, marriage equality is making its way through the states like wildfire! These states, some through ballot issues and some through the courts, granted equal marriage rights to all citizens. This makes 12 states plus DC, which means nearly 1 in 5 US Americans now live in a state that grants equal marriage rights! The most recent, Delaware, Rhode Island and Minnesota, will be going into effect this summer.

Washington (state) - December 6, 2012
Maine - December 29, 2012  
Maryland - January 1, 2013  
Delaware - July 1, 2013  
Rhode Island - August 1, 2013  
Minnesota - August 1, 2013

Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon and Nevada are poised to soon follow suit.
And, its looking like repealing the (un)constitutional marriage amendment in Ohio will be on the ballot this November, so that is wonderful news! Hopefully the citizens of Ohio will vote to be on the right side of history! Recent polls show the majority of Ohioans do now support equal marriage, so hopefully the ballots will reflect that.

President Barack Obama is the first US President to publically give his support for equal marriage, and has declared June LGBT Pride Month. He did so for the first time last year, and has once again this year. While I may not support him on many issues, is right on this one. Every citizen of the USA deserves the freedom to persue their happiness.

The tides are finally changing, and hopefully soon we will all have the right to marry the one we love. We are not at the end of the tunnel, but glimmers of light are finally beginning to pierce the darkness.

Remember, being gay is not a choice.
But being hateful is.

Choose love.