Your suburbia-bred, nose-to-the-grindstone, generally quiet, diligent, tending to conservative, analytical, reserved correspondent broke out of his shell last night and attended the San Jose candlelight vigil on the eve of the California Supreme Court's oral arguments regarding Proposition 8.
Warmly welcomed there by an MCC pastor and others whom I'd never seen before, I was given three different candles, and eventually found a work colleague and his friends with whom I hung out for the rest of the evening. It was two hours of chilly but enthusiastic waving at passers by who honked to show support and of making new friends. Men, women, black, white, Asian, Hispanic, all religious persuasions, young and old (I talked to two guys who had been together for over 20 years, one had a white beard like a summer trim for Santa Claus), all were there to show support for equality in marriage rights.
It was amazing to be amongst a group so large who all felt so keenly about this issue. And clearly the response from those who drove by was supportive. Great fun to wave, clap, cheer. And actually, for the first time in my life, take a truly public stand in support of a hot political question. Exhilarating.
Work colleague and his partner invited me to dinner afterward and we had a great time. They were polite, inquisitive but not pushy, articulate, obviously well-educated, we talked about everything from politics to rugby (of course) to travel to Gaugin to the merits of free-range beef, all with total ease. I felt so welcomed, so comfortable. An exhilarating evening. I thought of all my friends in Salt Lake and made sure to give my applause and cheering a little extra oomph on your behalf!
05 March 2009
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3 comments:
Glad you were able to attend. I was working all day, so no such luck.
Love you man. Really, I do! :)
that's good you went. if i was there, i'd be right along side ya.
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