WHAT I WISH TO SAY TO CONGRESS

American but less than equal. Growing up in a bi-racial family in the early 70’s in New York my sisters and I were told by strangers we were less than equal because we were mixed. Moving to a then rather affluent Marin County in the 1980’s, my predominately white classmates told me I was less than equal because I was black. At 17 I enrolled at San Francisco State University to study in a male dominated music engineering degree program and as the boys in my class proclaimed supremacy as I sat alone as the only girl amongst them, I was made to feel less than equal because I was a female. Despite the challenges that being a woman, black and white presented me all those years, there was never a moment I felt being denied the right to obtaining my goals. Regardless of the prejudices I faced, I never for once stopped believing I could be successful in anything that I worked for. That is until now. I am a 35 years old woman who is in a same sex bi-national relationship who is being denied my pursuit of happiness due to the unfairness of The United States Immigration laws. Its failure to recognize my relationship as well as those who have been married in other countries, defies all definitions of freedom that were embedded in my head during Civics classes. Same sex marriages should not be an issue that is determined by popular vote or state level. This is a civil rights issue and any discrimination towards same sex couples should be viewed as unconstitutional. In this day and age where greed and corruption is at its peak, I find it difficult to find a reason why the United States forbids me to be with the someone who makes me a better person, and therefore a better American. To say that America is not ready for such a radical change in our society is an excuse that is full of hate and shame for I am sure that this kind of rhetoric was stated when women fought for the right to vote or when slavery was abolished. If not now then when. I believe in America and I believe our country has a duty to show the world that Freedom is not for a selective few. I ask that you help push forward legislation that helps those like me be able to be a member of the American dream, the American Freedom and not one who is separate and unequal.

Where to begin?

2008 has been a wild year. Ive seen and met wonderful people. Drove across America. Followed my favorite band on tour. Secured my feeling that i am with the person i want to spend the rest of my life with. Yet 2008 is ending on a sad note. One that i am yet to come to terms with. The vote of Prop 8.

8 has always been my favorite number. But on Nov 4th the number took on a different relevance. What has our State or our country become. That is a silly a question because we all know that hate and bigotry and nonacceptance has always stood in the forefront of America.

I thought we were improving, evolving even. I had hoped we were at least. Yet when i stood out in the pouring rain with my No on 8 sign , side by side by angry Yes on 8 supporters screaming at me horrid names, it was brought to my attention we have not improved.

Reading blog after blog I'm still left with amazement. There are those who believe this isn't a Civil rights issues. Or that the No on 8 people should just sit and take the fact that a legal right has been taken away. The Yes on 8 people are OK with this, for now, but would they be if it were their rights?

If being Gay is so destructive, then why hasn't the world dissolved already. Gay people have been around as long as I can remember and i haven't seen the 2nd coming. People try to destroy what they cant control or don't understand. I know it is pointless trying to discuss this with some people as their ignorance is abundant and their ears are shut to reasoning.

If Civil Unions were the same legally then maybe the issue of Marriage wouldn't have come to this. But its not. I want to marry my girlfriend and i want to be able to say I AM MARRIED. I want no misunderstanding when i say it. I want no room left available for someone to say " Oh you re not really married...you have a civil union"

I stop myself and think about all the money spent on Prop 8. How many people that could have been fed. How many children could have been clothed. How many homeless could have been helped. But the money was spent on trying to destroy personal happiness of people that most Yes on 8 supporters cant even put a face to. I went to Catholic school and i clearly remember that it was not taught to seek out to destroy peoples lives..or their families.

As a woman who is half black and half white, i have grown up never truly fitting in with one culture. But thats ok. Because i was taught that we all are equal. No one is better or worse. That we should embrace our differences. We should show compassion to those we do not understand.

But what California has shown me...well 5 million Californians that is, Is that i am not equal. That my relationship is not equal. That my money is good for taxes but my equality comes with a price. Its 2008 already. When do we stop telling the next minority group its their time to sit in the back of the bus. When do we all realize that we need to work together.

We've already practically destroyed our planet. Our children are getting some of the worst educations possible. Crime and Violence is at an all time High. We have two wars going on. Economic Crisis comparable to the Depression of the 30's. Shall i go on. Together we stand Divided we fall.

Lets create more love in this world and stop all the hate.