David Paterson's Vision

Yesterday, Governor David Paterson directed the state of New York to honor same sex marriage licenses performed outside the state. David Paterson is my new favorite person.

When David was a kid, and his parents would go out of town, he and his brother would stay with dear family friends, Uncle Stanley and Uncle Ronald. From this morning's New York Times article, it appears that the governor remembers their time together fondly. It sounds like the gay couple in young David's life took good care of them.

Here's to Stanley and Ronald. The article doesn't mention where they are today. If they are still alive, I'm sure that the 'best political team in the Milky Way' will track them down this morning. I'd be sad if I find out that they are no longer alive because they missed a day and a decision from their nephew that says a great deal about them -- about their visibility in a time when the risk was great. And about the influence they had on a young man who grew up to be governor and whose commitment to diversity is unwavering:

"I was raised in a culture that understood the different ways that people conduct their lives. And I feel very proud of it."

The story of David's two uncles offers us two lessons.

First, it reminds us that visibility is the key. It doesn't matter what the issue is. You cannot understand what you cannot see and you cannot accept what you do not understand. More and more Americans have Uncle Stanleys and Uncle Ronalds and with these relationships, gay rights move from abstract to quite real. And with that reality, inaccurate and often bigoted stereotypes begin to fade. And the education process can begin.

Secondly, it reminds us of the need for allies. We need straight men and women in positions of leadership who see understand that securing equality for gay and lesbian Americans is a civil rights issue, a human rights issue. But most importantly, we need those leaders not to just know that but to feel that. It won't be enough for it to be an intellectual exercise -- it must come from the heart.

There was such clarity in Paterson's remarks yesterday and a refreshing authenticity that is sadly unique in politics today. With little to gain politically, I had this sense that Paterson felt compelled -- that of course the decision came from his head but it also came from his heart.

It is a visionary leader who is able to bring the practical and the emotional together -- drawing a compelling picture for us of what can be done with what we dream of and hope for.

A powerful and authentic display of vision. From the blind governor of the state of New York.

Comments

[LorettaSingbiel]

"It reminds us that visibility is the key. More and more Americans have Uncle Stanleys and Uncle Ronalds and with these relationships, gay rights move from abstract to quite real. And with that reality, inaccurate and often bigoted stereotypes begin to fade. And the education process can begin.

The blind CAN lead the (bigoted) blind!

CHEERS to The GLBT Community, AND to Governor Paterson!

Stay safe, healthy and happy,
Love, Loretta

[standforpeace]

There is a power in solidarity that can right even ancient wrongs. The privileged and powerful recognize that and do all that they can to separate those who could only benefit for true alliances. And for so many of us who have been shoved and kicked it is so damn hard to let go of whatever privilege we do have. If we're Black and straight at least we're not gay. If we're gay and white, at least we're not Black. If we're poor at least we're not undocumented workers. But we need to realize is that this kind of logic is a twisted comfort when what we need to be doing is building a more just community for every single member. Good on David Patterson for recognizing the need for justice rather than just us.

[LorettaSingbiel]

WELL SAID! standforpeace!!!

WE THE PEOPLE need a Declaration Of Independence from hate and fear and hopelessness and inequality....A Declaration Of Independence for ALL AMERICANS, and not just for men of power and wealth....A Declaration Of Independence that recognizes women, that recognizes people of color, that recognizes those who have no wealth and no power, and that recognizes people of all sexual orientations!

Stay safe, healthy and happy,
Love, Loretta

[Necron99]

In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms.
The first is freedom of speech and expression -- everywhere in the world.

The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way -- everywhere in the world.

The third is freedom from want -- which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants -- everywhere in the world.

The fourth is freedom from fear -- which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor-- anywhere in the world.

That is no vision of a distant millennium. It is a definite basis for a kind of world attainable in our own time and generation. That kind of world is the very antithesis of the so-called new order of tyranny which the dictators seek to create with the crash of a bomb.

To that new order we oppose the greater conception -- the moral order. A good society is able to face schemes of world domination and foreign revolutions alike without fear....

Franklin D. Roosevelt's Address to Congress January 6, 1941
http://www.wwnorton.com/college/history/ralph/workbook/ralprs36b.htm

[ChiMan1]

Really ???

[splang]

Wonderful...I commend you for allowing an opposing opinion.

[splang]

Part Four

Their communites have the most violent murder rates and beatings statistics.
Not to mention the weirder the better, sexual acts. All pushed by insistent "pride".
And now, it's okay for them to get married and adopt children. It's not only okay...it's encouraged. And judges are re-writng laws. What about thses children? Is it okay all of the sudden to have two mommies? Or two Daddies? Our politicians pulled this crap on us and as a result I am ashamed to be called a Canadian. You folks should carefully consider what you are doing in the USA. Pull these renegade judges off the bench I say. They are not law makers...thay are law enforcers. Enforce the law...No! To "Gay" marriage....protect your children.

[LorettaSingbiel]

"Our politicians pulled this crap on us and as a result I am ashamed to be called a Canadian."

Thankfully, enough free-thinking, fair-minded canadians stood up for their GLBT Community, forcing backwards bigoted canadians to stand down.

I'd be ashamed if you were an American. Glad that the Canadians must deal with you...and not us!

"Enforce the law...No! To "Gay" marriage....protect your children."

I hope you haven't procreated...because God forbid should any of your children be gay, they would need protection from the hateful homophobic household that "nurtured" them to reject, rather than accept, their sexual orientation.

Stay safe, healthy and happy,
Love, Loretta

[elbzee]

Kudos, "A powerful and authentic display of vision. From the blind governor of the state of New York." Beautifully said!

I live in NY. Voted for and was excited about Spitzer, but only knew a little of Patterson. I'm thrilled that he's there! So far, I think he's done beautifully. Bravo David! Next move, we can finally do the right thing!!!

[bluestatelib]

"David Paterson's Vision" is the headline? "A powerful and authentic display of vision. From the blind governor of the state of New York" are the closing sentences? Ok, we get it - the governor of New York is blind. It's not cute or witty or interesting to work that fact into everything written about the man.

[blustate135]

David Paterson is my new favorite person too. Kudos Gov! I'm wholly impressed.

[SpoxLogic]

Also, how can any minority be against gay marriage?

Equal rights is equal rights. To say it is for some and not for others just doesn't make any sense. I am a hot-blooded male who loves the ladies, but I am secure in my own manhood, enough not to be homophobic (it's that lack of confidence and security in ones own manhood that drives homophobia - IMHO - I can't speak for what drives it in women.)

I was in the military and whenever I heard gay-bashing comments such as "I don't want any faggots coming on to me. And if they did I'd kick their ass!" - I'd ask the following:
Suppose every female you hit on thought the way you did. Suppose they beat the shit out of you for your unwanted advances? Also what makes you think you'd be attractive to a gay person?

They could never answer.

[djyman]

There is a great article on theroot.com today about minority opposition to gay marriage, which basically espouses your view point.

I agree that lack of confidence has something to do with homophobia, but interestingly there is an actual instinctive response by the brain. There was a study done on straight men where they were shown gay pornographic material while have a functional MRI. As it turns out, even in men who aren't homophobic, the first response by the brain was to trigger a fright reaction.

however, that is basically done by the alligator brain. So way to go homophobes, you're as smart as alligators. Kind of explains homophobic behavior, right?

[Charlio]

It's like we have gay marriage in Massachusetts & California now all we have to do is fill in the other 48 states. Those that already have civil unions & are almost ready to switch to gay marriage. Even Utah came out with a poll this week that favors gay marriage. Wow what a world to actually acknowledge equality. Now all we have to do is educate all the leftover groups of bigots to understand that marriage is a basic civil right that should be attainable by all Americans if they choose. For those who are uncomfortable with this check out our short produced to educate & defuse the controversy. It has a way of opening closed minds & provides some sanity on the issue: OUTTAKEonline.com

[LorettaSingbiel]

"Now all we have to do is educate all the leftover groups of bigots to understand that marriage is a basic civil right that should be attainable by all Americans if they choose."

What MARRIAGE has joined together ... let no BIBLE put asunder!!!

Stay safe, healthy and happy,
Love, Loretta

[anon004]

Joan- I'm as proud of him now as I was angered and ashamed by the NY Court of Appeals ruling against gay marriage in 2006. Now, if only some state legislators here can have some backbone and morals and do the right thing, we might even have gay marriage in this state in the near future.