Friday, October 23, 2009

WWII Vet on Same-Sex Marriage

Maybe I'm a sap, but this video of an 86-year-old World War II vet who supports same-sex marriage brought tears to my eyes.

We already know that many of those who oppose same-sex marriage, and even those who are neutral on the topic, are not persuaded by images of LGBT families pleading for equal rights. To many, we are too different. Believing us to be caricatures rather than human beings like themselves, we are seen as too different to garner sympathy. Accordingly, I would not discount the value a self-identified Republican, white, male veteran who happens to have a gay son and who also embodies the extreme Right's ideal of the Real American standing up for us.

To him, I say thank you sir, for using your authoritative voice for the benefit of people like me.

In an America where haters and intolerants have co-opted what it means to be a Real American, it is not often that LGBT citizens are made to feel that we too are part of the America that is worth fighting for. So thank you, also, for that.

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