Twenty years ago I was watching the Berlin Wall coming down, beginning a five-week process of selling my stuff, saying my goodbyes to family and friends, and preparing to leave England forever. I felt lonely and forlorn: going to a country where, if they knew I was a dyke, they wouldn’t even let me enter the country, where the only person I knew was Kelley.
Last night I shared a lovely little bottle of Barbaresco with Kelley in front of our fire to celebrate being Everything But Married in the fine state of Washington. Now, instead of worrying that the government won’t let us be together, I know that if Kelley and I want to split up, we’ll have to petition the court. (It’s Federal vs. State laws we’re talking about, of course: apples and oranges–but still.) The wine was a gift from our friends and neighbours, Vicki and Ron, who went out and beat the bushes for votes, who talked to their friends and colleagues–who, in other words, are partly responsible for helping get this law on the books.
Who knew, twenty years ago, that pinko commie queers would be taking over the world by…blending in, by being welcomed. Germany in stronger for reunification. I think this country will be stronger once it stops limiting its citizens. Our neighbourhood is stronger for its inclusiveness.
How about yours?
Nicola Griffith 
I'm hoping it will be x < 20* years before people look back on these waves of irrational fear and wonder why there was so much strife and division over equal rights for everyone. *having a pre lunch mental block about fewer or less + my in-house copyeditor and Grammar Girl disagree, so you get algebra. Makes it a good day, right ; )
I've never understood people's tolerance for the stereotypical racist grandparents, & I don't intend to be forgiving for this generation's bigots, either.
I think any culture grows stronger for enfranchising more people. It is a no brainer.
lonelypond: algebra is fun.
mordicai: a no-brainer, absolutely. I guess the zombies ate their brains…
I've been wondering why zombie stories & movies are so popular nowadays. Oh yeah! [slapping forehead] — it's in recognition of these bigots & teabaggers all around!
(Lots of 'em up here in AK.)
Lillian and I tend to greet each other with “Hello, everything-but-wife”, although we are legally married, just to celebrate the fact that we do have these rights. I know there are some folks who are upset that Ref. 71 passed, but time will prove them wrong. In unity there's strength, and we're getting stronger.
When you say zombie, you mean Jesus, right?
Fran, Mordicai, the thing about time and memory is the bigots rewrite history. Oh, they say, oh no, I never voted to take anyone's rights away! (I never voted for Bush. I never voted for Prop 8…) But they did.
This country was founded and built by people like you. Willing to leave friends, family, and home forever. Despite feeling lonely and forlorn. Stronger. Yes.