July 31, 2003
Yesterday, When I Was Mad
I realize that the whole of Middle America is not against gays and lesbians. I am from the Midwest, and I know there are tolerant people that live there. My comments yesterday were clearly out of frustration and anger. What I'm angry about is the fact that people everywhere are getting so lazy in their actions. So many people are satisfied letting others tell them how to think and act and vote, be it the ignorant, racist politicians and their religious ethos or the religious fanatics themselves. Never before have I thought organized religion is such a detriment to our society as much as I do now. It's as if some people can't—or won't—think for themselves anymore. It's too hard, or it's too much trouble, so whatever our representative/minister says is OK with me. Regardless. I was really heated up yesterday, and thankfully the heat has gone, and now I'm just my jaded, cynical old self again, shaking my head in disbelief that some people are really that ignorant.
I have wanted to move out of the Bay Area for a long time, looking for some other place that would be better for me. And now I think that it is the best place for me. Every time I stray too far away from this region of California, whether I'm in the state or not, I am quickly reminded of how lucky we are to live here. There is a great deal of diversity here, and for the most part, it's peaceful. That lends itself to creating tolerance among the citizens. I'm not saying that the Bay Area is perfect, because it's clearly not that at all. I'm saying that there are far fewer hate crimes (reported) in this area based on any difference that we have than in other parts of the country, and I think that's because we all have to live and work together. We have to get along. And having a large gay and lesbian population helps that all the more.
I wonder what it will take to make people realize that we are no threat to society or marriage or their children. I hope it doesn't take too long.
