While I am thrilled with Obama’s election, this week also saw some major hits to LGBTQ rights. Same-sex marriage was banned in California, Arizona and Florida and Arkansas passed a bill blocking the adoption or fostering of children by unmarried couples- a measure aimed at prohibiting same-sex couples from raising children. Amid the celebratory conversations with friends this week, it seemed I was the one contributing the “yeah, but…” to each conversation. I hate to be a downer, but I’m angry and I found myself disappointed with some of my friends and fellow students who seemed so high on the Obama win that they failed to notice or care about these setbacks. 

I don’t know that I ever want to get gay married. In an ideal world, I think marriage would be left to religious organizations and all couples would have civil unions and equal rights. However, I think we’re a long way off from that arrangement and these bills are reminders of the massive discrimination facing the queer community. Coincidentally, I also happened to be doing research for a paper this week on “gender identity disorder” (which I’m arguing is not a disorder) and came across some statistics on violence directed at the trans community. According to one article, the murder rate for trans people is 17 times the national average, the highest rate of any minority group. I worry about the safety of my trans friends everyday. This is a problem.
So yes, let’s celebrate this historic election, but let’s also keep in mind the work that needs to be done if we are to live in a truly progressive country. I noticed that many people had the slogan “yes we did” posted on their Facebook pages and away messages- did- past tense. As Ethan pointed out in his entry this week, this is only the beginning and now we need to keep up the energy that’s been building and work in our local communities to bring about the change we seek.