The last 24 hours have contained moments of both unspeakable excitement and incredible disappointment. I thought I might say a few words about both…
First, the good news is that we will have a new president in White House in January, and even more exciting, a president that people actually like. Domestically, Obama was elected by a margin greater than any other democratic president since Johnson. Internationally, the Los Angeles Times reported that if it were a global election Barack Obama would have won, “not by a landslide, but an avalanche.” I had tears in my eyes as I listened to Obama speak last night. I felt energy that I have difficulty explaining. Luckily, my little sister sent me a text message this afternoon that said “Your hero won the election. How do you feel? Was it orgasmic?” Although I have never claimed that Mr. Obama is my hero, I do have to say that his election was teetering on orgasmic (thanks Lacey).
Despite overflowing enthusiasm for the change on the horizon in America, I am filled with disappointment in my home state. I thought I had prepared myself for the worst, but today I still find myself shocked and angry at the voters for passing a proposition that will inject discrimination into our state constitution. I am troubled that people continue to use “God” as a means of rationalizing their fear and hatred despite the fact that our country was founded on the basis of separation of church and state, not to mention universal freedom. The stripping of my rights to marry has been both degrading and humiliating and I am awestruck that “separate but equal” style prejudice has made its way into what I once regarded as the most liberal and progressive state in the nation.
In the aftermath of the election (and my first set of business school mid-terms) I am both emotionally and physically exhausted and have begun a struggle to decide if the glass is half-empty or half-full. For now I am optimistic. Obama’s election and the expansion of the Democratic majority in Congress indicate that change is coming, it may take time but eventually we will get there. Seeing the incredible support for the “No on 8” campaign from young people on the UCLA campus, gay and straight alike, has made me hopeful that change is inevitable as the American youth comes of age.
As you might imagine, the fight for gay marriage has only just begun. First there are close to 2 million ballots that have still not been counted that could change the results. I am fully aware that this prospect is improbable but I feel strongly that every vote should be counted. In addition, there have been several lawsuits filed challenging proposition 8 results by the ACLU, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Lambda Legal, Santa Clara County and the cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles. The argument is that proposition 8 results will not just amend the constitution but revise it which means it must receive approval from the state legislature. The merit of these lawsuits is unclear at this point and I have read both positive/negative commentaries on the probability of them making a difference. So do stay tuned, I know I will.
