Maine vote a huge step back for equality and justice

I was really looking forward to announcing this week that Maine was to become the first state in our nation's history to uphold gay marriage at the ballot box. After all, the political climate was in our favor in the socially liberal, Libertarian-leaning state. With 25 percent of the precincts reporting 57 percent of the vote was in our favor, I allowed myself to quietly, unofficially celebrate the victory for gay equality.

Instead, equality foes get to celebrate their 31st victory at the ballot box. I hope they all slept well that night, knowing that they had deprived thousands of fellow citizens their due rights as Americans. That night, I pondered how fellow Americans could vote against a person's well-being. In the 21st century, where we claim to be so intellectually evolved beyond the ignorance of previous generations; when did our democracy become such that the majority can oppress a minority in such a gross, sweeping manner? When did Americans find it okay to vote against fellow Americans?

That 53 percent of voters in Maine sent a clear message to gay Americans across this country: You are not equal. Opponents of gay rights, specifically same-sex marriage, can claim what they'd like, but no matter which way you cut it the message resounds: You are not equal. The Declaration of Independence proclaims, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Of course, gay rights were the farthest thing from the minds of our Founding Fathers when that was drafted, but throughout America's history we have held tightly to that ideal. All men and women are created equal in this country - is this nothing but a farce? Or is it that we just cite this ideal when it's comfortable for us? Were only heterosexuals created equal during the birth of our great nation? I think not. That ideal of equality is a living and breathing notion that has persevered throughout our history.

As a country, we have evolved socially and moved past previous generations' shortcomings. We have freed those oppressed by the shackles of slavery, we have moved toward gender equality - yet still, millions of gay Americans live in an unequal, unfair world. Millions of committed gay couples are told every day: You cannot enjoy the right of marriage in this country because we don't understand it; because it makes us uncomfortable; because we have thrown out the main principles of our faith and misconstrued a couple of scriptures.

It is a farce. It is an utter farce that this country sends this message to an entire community. This message spurs hate and violence against the gay community every day. We have lost many great and valuable American lives because of the bigotry, hatred and misunderstandings directed at this community, and those 53 percent in Maine have done nothing but add fuel to the fire.

I don't normally take part in reading the Daily Kos; the blog is a little far-left for my centrist tendencies. However, I'm glad I stumbled across the following about the Maine vote: "… asking our gay friends for a little more patience seems incredibly wrong. They will win their cause …" When I read this, I was feeling rather defeated and shrugged it off. But then I thought about that proverbial silver lining, and remembered an article I read in May. CNN uncovered a major generation gap on the same-sex marriage issue that is our community's silver bullet. Among 18 to 34 year olds, a whopping 58 percent responded that same-sex marriage should be legal. To put that in perspective, not even a quarter of respondents 65 or older hold the same view. The perception held by those 58 percent will have a trickle-down effect on the generations below us, which provides a lot of strength behind the notion held by many Americans, for or against, that same-sex marriage is inevitable.

Following the Maine decision, I asked, "Now what?" Over the past week, I have found that answer: We must prevail. As the gay community, we must pick ourselves up, participate in the political process, and never be silenced by fear or hatred. The road to equality has never been an easy path. We must stand together and let our resilience persevere over the injustices brought against us.

I believe in that idea expounded by our Founding Fathers in 1776. I believe in this country. I believe in our community. I believe in equality.