Issue date: 11/19/08 Section: Editor Columns

Politics often make little sense to me.
Case in point: the 2008 election, though a monumental win for one of the most progressive presidents in the history of the country, also ushered in one of the most reactionary propositions ever suggested.

Of course, I'm talking about Proposition Eight, which amended the California state constitution to restrict the definition of marriage to a union between a man and a woman only. It effectively eliminated what had become a civil right for gay Californians, and seemed to be an uncharacteristic election result given the overwhelming majority gained by the Democratic Party.

The passing of Proposition Eight has proven to be yet another moment in our country's history where fear, narrow-mindedness, and overall ignorance has prevailed. The refusal of many Americans to accept or even begin to understand gays is a notion that's hard to swallow.

But the election of Barack Obama seems to have ignited some hope among both gay and straight Americans for a renewed sense of understanding and openness among citizens of all sexualities over the next four years.

Case in point: more than 100 former military leaders came forward this past week with a statement urging for the repeal of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy enacted under President Clinton in 1993.

The policy stated that gay Americans could join the military, so long as they keep their sexuality secret. Though a step in the right direction, the rule served as a mere band-aid on the larger problem of segregating homosexuals from military service.

Retired Admiral Charles Larson, a former Naval Academy superintendent, is leading the petition and, according to an article from CNN, stated that the policy created "a lot of witch hunts" and "a lot of people were turned out on that basis."

The article goes on to note that the former military members are hoping that President-Elect Obama will repeal the policy and enforce even more tolerant legislation, adopting an open sexuality policy with the military like most of the United States' allies, including England and Israel. It's a suggestion that Obama has spoken about favorably in the past, so the likelihood of such reform taking shape seems a definite possibility.

But while the hope for expanding the rights of gay Americans is certainly more likely with our new President-Elect, the results of Proposition Eight reminds us that a bigger problem may remain: creating an open environment for those of all sexualities in the United States.

Continued...

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