The Awakening

A reader writes:

You wrote:

"When every gay person and every friend or family member of a gay person really, truly believes that the status quo is unacceptable, we will win."

I'm not gay. I don't have gay friends or family. This isn't about homosexuality. This is about civil rights.

I attended the rally in Portland, ME (no pictures, sorry) with my wife and 4 year old son. A lovely older gay woman in the crowd thanked me for coming, and I thanked her right back. I don't support gay marriage as a favor to gays, and I'm not owned anything for fighting discrimination. We don't--we shouldn't--need to rely on gays, on friends and families of gays, to ensure equal rights for all Americans.

I've got no special affinity for the gay community, but I'm an American and a patriot: I've got a special affinity for my fellow Americans.  I'll be damned if I acquiesce to such shameful hate and discrimination.

(Photo: Protesters cast shadows on the street as they take part in a demonstration to condemn the ban of same-sex marriages in Los Angeles on November 15, 2008. The same-sex marriage ban sparked angry protests across the nation with thousands taking to the streets in Los Angeles chanting slogans like 'Yes We Can.' By Jewwel Samad/AFP/Getty.)