Monday, April 27, 2009
Making Sure Everybody Counts
Boy, was I relieved when Judd Gregg turned down Barack Obama on heading up Commerce.Not only did his rejection start the spreading of the inevitable news that the Republicans weren't up to helping to change the paradigm of politics as usual, but his remarks on not wanting to implement Obama's policies on the conducting of the 2010 census actually gave me a little hope. Judd Gregg can keep his sweaty paws off my data, thank you.
One of my closest friends, restless and retired, decided to work for the census this spring. She endured several days of the worst training experience of her life in order to earn the official census worker badge and the cool little computer that she carries around her town to confirm addresses.
Since she lives in the People's Republic of Vermont, as some New Hampshire residents like to call it, it didn't take long for one of the address confirmees to ask her if there would be a place on the official census form for recording the presence of same sex couples.Apparently not.
As half of one of those couples, I have mixed feelings. There is a certain comfort in invisibility, as those of us who still witness discrimination on a daily basis will tell you. There's a whole lot of attention I can do without.
Back in the 70s I went with friends to see Rita Mae Brown at the Women's Building in L.A. on the Fourth of July. (Remember, Zipdrive?) Those were the days when she was speaking to women, especially lesbians, about empowering themselves by revealing themselves. "If everyone came out, there would be no more prejudice, because everyone would know someone, etc. etc. etc." Yeah, many of us thought, and if everyone was Christian, or Muslim, or whatever, there would be no more religious conflict. And how about that esperanto? Time to give it a shot.
This was all before before Rita Mae got rich from writing all those smarmy kitty mystery
novels became chief Poobah of the hounds at her local hunt club and then began writing smarmy hunt club mysteries. Back when she referred to the porno-violence in our culture.But I digress. It's only now that attitudes have shifted sufficiently, at least here in the PR of VT, that I can peek out enough to contemplate matrimony. And the balance between letting the government know more about my internal workings and standing up for my rights is a tricky one. But for once I am willing to give it a try.
So Obama, in your (I hope) eight years, two terms as president, I am expecting you to grow up and understand that the marriage issue is a civil rights issue. I am hoping that you will understand that you can either do away with the tax advantages you extend to heterosexual married couples or recognize the marriages of gay couples.
Let future census forms count us all.
# posted by Lulu Maude @ 11:13 AM 
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Bravo Lulu Bravo!!!!!
There is a great writeup about Dawn's efforts to change homophobic laws in Maine on Sirens. It was yesterdays Daily Feature.
I still can not fathom why people are homophobic..it literally makes no sense to me.
There is a great writeup about Dawn's efforts to change homophobic laws in Maine on Sirens. It was yesterdays Daily Feature.
I still can not fathom why people are homophobic..it literally makes no sense to me.
I love that about eight years in office. Obama said that he believes in persistance; well he may need it. But if the GOP and the blow-dog dems stymie progress on healthcare and energy, I think our President will be able to hang them out to dry in the off-year election.
Funny my thought was Bravo! & when the pop up comment window appeared, Dusty beat me to it!
Well Bravo x2-- and as for the Census hand graphic (like the logo)-- but is that hand washed???
Well Bravo x2-- and as for the Census hand graphic (like the logo)-- but is that hand washed???
Yes, I do recall seeing Rita Mae Brown in L.A. with you, LuLu.
She was such a cutie back then.
But then, so was I.
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She was such a cutie back then.
But then, so was I.
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