keeping it in perspective

with the passage of proposition 8, the lesbian and gay community suffered a blow to be sure but i feel it helps to stop and take stock of just how far things have progressed. it is especially telling that here we are no longer closeted but out and fighting for our right to marry but this is not the case in many countries. nations that embrace islam typically tend to put homosexuals to death. in india(a democracy), homosexuality is illegal and punishable by up to ten years in prison. indian males are often subject to blackmail in order to keep their secret safe while their lesbian counterparts fall victim to rape. yes, we still have a long way to go in this country but we also have much to be grateful for as well. we also owe a debt of gratitude to those that went before us, demanding equality. i believe with perseverance that we shall erode the final obstacles but i sincerely hope that when that day comes, we then turn our attention to our fellow activists in other countries that do not look so tolerably on our kind. here is to equality the world over.