My Oyster

Fighting for Equality...

Today thousands of people descended on Pennsylvania Avenue on a warm, sunny Sunday to keep pushing for civil rights.

I was there with friends.  It was moving to be a part of it.  There was a march here in Washington in 1993.  That was not even a year after I had I come out and moved to DC.  This country has changed so much in the past 16 years - but we have so far to go.

There were a lot of people in the GLBT community who said we didn't need another march and that the time and energy would be better spent in other ways.  But I think there is something pretty powerful about coming together to take over the streets of the Capital and demand change.

I always enjoy the signs.  They really can be pretty entertaining and insightful.  The handmade ones are a good reflection of the individual.  Here are some of my favorites...

And my favorite from the day...

And there is more work to do.

Now that I can't get married...

 

...are you better off?

That was one of my favorite signs from today's DC protest of Prop 8. The gays are not happy.

Today we marched from the Capital to the White House to show our anger and disappointment with the November 4th banning of gay marriage in California under Proposition 8 there.

This is the first time in the history of this amazing country that we have actually taken away the rights of a single class of Americans.  And we did it by voting.

As exciting and historic as was the night of November 4th, the vote on Prop 8 stung. 

It really proved that despite the progress we have made as gays in this society - to the point of being almost trendy - we are still very much second class citizens in a country that is happy to keep us in our place.  We have great hopes and expectations of our new President.

Today there were marches in 300 US cities.  It was great to be out with my community and our supporters in Washington.

Here are some scenes from our march...

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Election Update #6...Wow - Only in America...

Quite a night. Only in this country can this happen.

I think my favorite shot was of Jesse Jackson. Crying at Grant Park.

Election Update #5...This is how I am calling it...

Here are my picks - state by state.

Red - Closing at 6pm
Orange - Closing at 7pm
Yellow - Closing at 7:30
Sage - Closing at 8pm
Bright Green - Closing at 8:30
Light Blue - Closing at 9pm
Dark Blue - Closing at 10pm
Purple - Closing at 11pm
Plum - Closing at 12am
Lavender - Closing at 1am


Alabama   McCain  
Alaska    McCain
Arizona    McCain
Arkansas    McCain
California      Obama
Colorado   Obama
Connecticut   Obama   
Delaware    Obama

DC    Obama

Florida    Obama
Georgia    Obama
Hawaii    Obama
Idaho    McCain
Illinois     McCain
Indiana   Obama
Iowa    Obama
Kansas    McCain
Kentucky    McCain
Louisiana    McCain
Maine   Obama
Maryland    Obama
Massachusetts    Obama
Michigan    Obama
Minnesota    Obama
Mississippi    McCain
Missouri    Obama
Montana    Obama
Nebraska    McCain
Nevada   McCain
New Hampshire   Obama
New Jersey    Obama
New Mexico    Obama
New York    Obama
North Carolina    McCain
North Dakota    McCain
Ohio    Obama
Oklahoma    McCain
Oregon    Obama
Pennsylvania   Obama
Rhode Island    Obama
South Carolina    Obama
South Dakota  McCain
Tennessee      McCain
Texas    McCain
Utah    McCain
Vermont    Obama
Virginia    Obama
Washington    Obama
West Virginia    McCain
Wisconsin  Obama
Wyoming    McCain

Sister Suz is having a viewing party tonight. We are all betting to see who comes the closest. 

 

I hope we will all feel like winners by the end of the evening.

Election Update #4...Good Citizenship and Good Dental Hygiene Go Together...

And even better than the fact that I had a good checkup is the very good news that my dentist, from Beirut and a registered republican in Potomac (that's Maryland), voted for Obama.

He said he has been getting some grief from friends for supporting Obama, but that he had taken the time to go to the Obama website and learn about his policies.  He has even been correcting some of his friends on their misconceptions.

He also said he could handle a little wealth redistribution.  So could his friends.  He thinks if there is some more tax equity, it would probably even bring more patients to him. 

Election Update #3...Just gettin' my vote on...

That's my ballot. :-)  Schwing!

 

I chose paper.  Even though I work in the technology industry - I didn't want a computer ballot.  I wanted to hold it.  See it.  Feel it.  Enjoy it.  Then slide it into the box to be counted.

I love how McCain and Palin do not even show up until after Ralph Nader and Cynthia McKinney.  Who is that? 

Election Update #2 - Lines in Columbia Heights...

Isn't it beautiful?!  Lines around the block at my polling place at 14th & Clifton.  At 7:30 in the morning.

I was headed out for a bike ride and will vote mid-day.

More Columbia Heights neighbors voting...and making history...

Election Update #1

The first "win" goes to Obama - and it's actually a loss. A Redskin loss. The Skins lost (28-6) to the Pittsburg Steelers last night - at home.

In every presidential election year, the Washington Redskins home game prior to election day has accurately predicted the outcome of the national presidential election.

If the Skins, being the home team, win the incumbent party maintains control of the White House. If, on the other hand, the Skins lose the opposition party gains control of the presidency.

OK, so not every presidential election year. The string was broken last time with Kerry (figures). But other than that it's been right since 1936.

I will take those odds.

Nonstop Election Coverage...

Tomorrow is a big day. 

To chronicle an historic moment, from my perspective and from the nation's capital, I will be taking my camera around town with me as I go about my business.

I will try to post updates and pics throughout the day.

The World Series is Over...Now It's Time to Focus on Politics...

Tonight was the, I dunno - 50th?, Democratic presidential candidates debate.  65 days until the first votes are made in Iowa.

I think Hillary continues to kick butt in these debates.  She is the most Presidential.  She has the most substantive answers.  And tonight she was facing some pretty withering attacks from an increasingly desperate John Edwards and Barack Obama - who said nothing of substance.  I have no idea what this guy wants to do - aside  from make change.  ZZZZ.  She kept her cool.

Hillary did get caught at the very end of the debate unprepared to take a stand, or at least a consistent one, on Governor Spitzer's plan to give illegal immigrants drivers licenses.  She wobbled on that one.

I wish that Brian Williams or Tim Russert had asked Barack Obama about the homophobic "ex-gay" minister that he continues to involve in his campaign events.  This minister says gays are a "curse" and are "killing our children".  Not only does Obama refuse to get rid of this bigot, but he has been trying to justify keeping him around by saying that many african americans share his views. 

Gee that is a real profile in courage Barack.  Thanks for your civil rights leadership.

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