For GLBT people

[dsc]

After the SOTU message I have remarked a couple of times that I now feel I am a gay man first and an American second. I feel uneasy saying and thinking that. I have always been raised differently than that. I am beginning wonder the extent to which I have over reacted. So the question is:

Do you feel now that you are GLBT first and American second.

Note I am leaving and don't know when I shall be back. I will respond when I get back. This is not a hit and run.

[Cannikin]

1. I've been 'out' for 10 years and never had issues....

Till Rove dug up this wedge issue.

[Rowdyboy]

2. That's precisely why I didn't watch SOTU

Have only seen one Bush speech in 3 years (immediately after 9/11). I had a pretty strong feeling it would be nasty. I love my country (just not its leaders) and hope to be able to continue to do so.

[Terran]

3. I voted no

The reason is that George Bush doesn't speak for all Americans, and I refuse to concede any such ground to him. If polls are to be believed (see this thread), then most Americans are opposed to institutionalizing discrimination against us, and there is an almost even split between those who support gay marriage and those who oppose it.

I see America as 'coming around' at last, with Bush and the people he panders to as the last roadblock. I understand things like this take time, so I'm not willing to abandon my devotion to my country over this issue. Bush will be bad rubbish someday, and someday we will have our rights.

Dirk

[dsc]

4. kick

:kick:

[foreigncorrespondent]

5. dsc, I didn't vote...

...with my not being American, but I want to say something.

People should always put themselves first, ahead of their country. Patriotsm is great, but unless you are true to yourself and your people first, then what is the point?

Be proud of who you are, and who you sleep with. Love, honesty, dignity, and truth are what makes a country great.

I got so angry a little while back. There was one of those threads about moving to another country. Like always I send the link to Sapphocrat. I don't do it for her to post in, but to show her there are other people who are thinking similar to her.

Anyway this was one thread that she had decided to post in. She basically spilled everything out. Explained that for us, we don't have the luxury of choice any longer. That in order for us to be together she must move away from the U.S. Some jerk replied back to her with a smart ass comment. I was very hurt.

That is the arrogance of patriotsm. People don't realize that sometimes there are just far more important things in life than a persons country.

You are no less patriotic for wanting to turn your back on a country that wants to deem you as a second class citizen. And dsc, you are no less of a patriot for seeing yourself as a gay man first, and an American second. That is what true patriotsm and loyalty is all about. my friend.

[dsc]

6. thank you

I have to admit that I am still in shock about this. I really was beginning to think we were on a positive trajectory that wouldn't stop but I guess we aren't. It just was a stunner. I hope your situation improves somehow as I have to imagine it is utterly frustrating. I can only imagine how angry you are as it is real for you and only theoretical for me.