Oh, Manchester, So Much To Answer For

This man needs to be considered the new hero of homos everywhere. He's Gavin Newsom, the mayor of San Francisco. Why should he be considered a hero? Because after only 2 months in office - an office he only won 53%-47%, mind you - he's made one of the boldest moves of any major city elected official in - well, in a very long time. He's put his ass on the line and defied CA law by issuing thousands of marriage licenses to same-sex couples (over 2,300 by Monday night). Today it may all come to a halt as conservative groups file suit to both cease the gay weddings and make those already performed null and void. They might win - but they might not. Newsom's got cojones in great measure, and is showing just how big they are right now. He says he made this bold move in reaction to Bush's support for a Constitutional amendment which would ban gay marriage - the first time an amendment denying rights, i.e. legalizing bigotry and discrimination, would be added to that great document. I can give nothing but respect to a man who stands up in such a courageous manner for what he feels is right, public opinion be damned.

And brace yourselves, kids - especially my homo brethren. Karl Rove and his minions are about to engage in what's likely to be the ugliest Presidential race this country's seen in quite some time, and gays and lesbians are about to become to '04 what Willie Horton was for Bush I in '88. It may get worse before it gets better, but trust, it will get better, and those opposing gay rights today will be looked at in 30 years as we see segregationists today. As John Mellencamp sang back in '85, "You've got to stand for something/Or you're gonna fall for anything." Where do you stand?

Update: Yay! The marriages will continue until at least Friday.