What I don't understand about all these people against gay marriage is this: how can they not see that not allowing gay marriage is an obvious case of discrimination? This is exactly like saying that a black person and a white person can not marry. It's absurd.

(BTW, the San Francisco Chronicle has a good opinion piece today that says the above much better than I can, if you want to read more.)

Then again, I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and it's been over two years since I've visted my childhood home of Indiana where such beliefs are more common than they are out here. I had to have Richard (who decided not to rush off and marry his partner Ricky tomorrow, even though they've been calling one another husband for years, as they don't want to make any rash decisions) point out to me that for many people, homosexuality is simply beyond the scope of their understanding. And, while I needed to be reminded of this, I still think it's high time we got some education about homosexuality in place; people need to learn to deal with other people being different.

I've been all weepy on this topic ever since I first read the article yesterday about Phyliis Lyon and Del Martin (who have been together 51 years and were the first couple married yesterday -- they were quickly followed by another 89 couples yesterday and even more today, not to mention the estimated 300-500 expected both tomorrow and Monday). I wanted to go down to City Hall after work and hand out flowers to waiting couples, except that I don't have the kind of money you'd need to buy that many flowers, especially not at pre-Valentine's Day prices. I'm not gay -- I'm somewhat bi, but I genearlly prefer men and I'm going to happily marry Tim -- but I'm just so happy for all my gay friends. Hell, I'm happy for all the gay strangers I've never met who are experiencing such exhilaration and joy as they never thought possible. Even if it's eventually overturned, the people who are being married in City Hall right now have had a day of acceptance and bliss that you can practically feel buzzing throughout the City today. It's beautiful, amazing and I'm so happy, so happy. Even though I'm not down at City Hall, I'm just pleased to have been in San Francisco on the days this historic event is taking place.