Out of Many, One: A Collective Moment of Goose Bumps That Will Empower a Nation

My partner Don and I, along with our friends John and Efren, were so energized and invested in Barack Obama's campaign for the Presidency that even before his election, we arranged hotel and travel to be in Washington D.C. for his inauguration. We had campaigned in our hometown of Los Angeles for him and were elated with his victory. We four were determined to be a part of the historical moment when the first African-American -- and the first person to rouse America's hope in human possibility since Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy -- became President.

Arriving in the nation's capital the weekend prior to Inauguration Day, it became immediately apparent that this was a pilgrimage-cum-block party. It looked like something out of an old "United Colors of Benetton" ad. There we all were: women and men; young and old; Latino, Asian, and Native American; black and white, gay and straight, disabled and not.

We came from little places and big places; from near and far, yet we all brought with us euphoria, camaraderie, and a kindness that we shared despite the cold and long lines. In a word, it was brotherhood.

No matter whom we met, on the National Mall, in museum or Metro lines, every one was flying above the clouds because of our new president and the new promise and possibility for our country. But those who soared the highest of us all were African-Americans. As a gay person, it gave me such hope. Our struggle is not comparable to that of African-Americans. But gays have always been moved by the power of their dream and the dedication to their struggle to become fully part of the true American dream. Don and I want nothing less than that, too. And there are millions more just like us.

On Inauguration day the sun was vibrant; the air crisp and cold with a startling, yet pleasant sting of vitality when you inhaled. The only thing larger in size than the crowd was its spirit. Thousands upon thousands of hope-filled people were everywhere we looked, literally connecting the monuments with a sea of humanity. Outfitted in everything from their Sunday best and other finery to layered in blankets, American flags and Obama caps, we numbered nearly two million people according to estimates.

We came here, we Americans of every race and region and station, because we believe in what this country can be and because we want to help us get there, to paraphrase Obama's remarks at the Lincoln Memorial.

Our place of witness for the Inauguration was the House Foreign Affairs Hearing Room in the Russell Congressional Office building, as we were unable to obtain tickets to the swearing-in ceremony. In an august, wood paneled hall, with huge portraits of former congressional committee chairmen and large flat-screen TVs, we joined throngs of others. We were no less enthusiastic and no less bonded than our brethren outside on Capitol Hill and down the Mall, just a great deal warmer.

And when finally that moment came, when Obama stepped out onto the platform and the ceremony began, I felt goose bumps. More than just a singular sensation of goose bumps but a collective, simultaneous national sensation of goose bumps from all those in the Committee Room, in front of the Capitol, everywhere!

"The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history ..." said President Obama. To carry-on the "... the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness."

Throughout the inaugural ceremony, like everyone else we cheered, we wept and we prayed. And yet, through the range of all those emotions, it was that involuntary tingle of those collective goose bumps that stayed with me.

Now, as a gay men, the greatest Inaugural challenge for us was President Obama's choice of Rick Warren to give the Invocation. Warren is a mega-church pastor in Southern California and is a man who opposed the marriage of same-sex people equating it to pedophilia and incest. Coming from Los Angeles, we know about Warren.

You see John, Efren, Don and I also campaigned for No on Prop 8, the hateful and hurtful California state proposition that overturned the State Supreme Court's ruling that gave Don and me the right to marry - as we had done on June 29. Political strategists and pundits say that we lost because of the likes of Rick Warren, the Mormon Church and others who applied the worst Karl Rove-type tactics to conduct a disgusting and divisive, fear-based campaign.

As I listened to Warren give the Invocation, I found it hard to believe that the he could respond to the brotherhood of Obama and yet deny me my marriage to Don.

And, as I listened to our new president speak so powerfully and eloquently that it was time to carry-on "the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness," my mind flashed to Rick Warren.

I thought, does Reverend Warren believe this? Will he be changed by what is happening here today? Will he practice what Obama preaches? Will he apply what our President says to gays and lesbians who want to marry?

Well, I don't know what Rick Warren will do to answer President Obama's call, but I will take my lead from the President. I will extend my hand to Rick Warren if he will unclenched his fist. I will encourage my homosexual brethren and our heterosexual friends and supporters to do the same. We will reach out to build and create a better understanding with those who don't understand or misunderstand us. We will go to churches, temples, mosques and town halls to begin a dialog in hopes that they will come to know that we are not much different from them. Our love, our devotion, our desires for our children's future and for the future of the communities and the world in which we live and contribute, is little different from theirs.

We know the power of the "patchwork heritage" of which Obama spoke that vibrant, crisp Inaugural afternoon. And John, Efren, Don and I will answer the President's call to service, to be a part of something greater than ourselves, because we believe in what this country can be and because we want to help us get there.

We are ready to help make American anew. Not just anew in causes for gay people, but anew in causes for all people.

In these critical days following the Inaugural ceremony, I still feel those incredible goose bumps. I hope Rick Warren does, too.

Comments

[5pants]

Bravo!! Beautiful & honest post! Thank you.

Many things went through my mind as I watched Obama’s Inaugural. It was a liberating day on many accounts. For one, Bush’s shackles of oppression were finally gone. In its place America chose a polar opposite; a man who is intellectually curious, someone whose swagger is limited to his walk & not his actions, someone who battled through both a tremendously tough primary & general election (winning both fairly) through which he listened whole-heartedly with sincereity & authenticity to the people’s concerns & dilemmas.

The only thing that would have made my Inaugural experience “perfect” would have been if I could have been so lucky to have shared it physically side by side my 3 sons. I truly believe that our youth are key & paramount to the end of bigotry & discrimination. This new generation is keenly aware that the “old” ways are tired, unfair & do not work. One day my mostly lily white & VERY in-the-closet community will cease to hypocritically hide behind their Christian mantra of what is right & wrong. Slowly but surely progress is being made & with Obama at the helm & our youth leading us by the hand I have no doubt that this is the beginning of something great!!

Kudos to you, Steve, for seeing a light of hope…certainly it is a new & hopeful beginning of us all coming together no matter our age, race, creed, sexual preference, ability…we all want the same

[nerfgon]

Great post. It was truly an amazing day. We too share your feelings and look forward to a new world under the new administration.

[mom2sons]

Thank you for the post. It was great, and just as you said. There was a spirit of oneness. The people I met were all awesome. I did the concert on Sunday and volunteered at the Stadium Armory filling bags for the troops on Monday. My whole experience was unbelievable. I cried on Tuesday, just hearing him take the oath of office. As an AA woman, finally the world gets to see that we are no different from any other people. I am truly proud of my country. Diversity like I've never seen it. Got to take great pics at the MSNBC booth too. Great pic of Rachel!

[ManyColored]

It's one thing to support the guy. It's another thing to get carried away. Don't make a deity out of him. He most probably is as smart as Jefferson and has the judgment of Lincoln, but he has to work with a congress who is in everybody's pockets and of whom most are airheads. If you expect miracles, go to Lourdes. He will do a slow, incremental, careful job, and change what he can (which won't be much). You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. I will be more than satisfied if he gets us on the right track, but I expect no significant turnaround, and neither should you.

[nkhogan]

Nice post. Thank you for this. I really appreciated your final comments especially about Rick Warren. I can only hope he will be changed by what he witnessed. Thank you for being willing to extend a hand if he will unclench his fist. I don't know if he ever will, but your attitude and openness towards him and others like him is what will prevail in the end and help you win your struggle for equality. Please come to churches, mosques, synagogues and dialog with us. People need to hear your story. It is your personal stories, dreams, fears, ambitions and struggles that will sway them, not angry rhetoric. Extend your hand and you'll be surprised by how many extend their hands back (of course not all will, but many will).

It was an awesome day and I was there too, proud to be witness of this historic occasion. What an amazing day.

[Jane Kagon]

What a wonderful first hand account of the Inauguration! Your description of the euphoria and camaraderie you experienced is truly moving Reading of your joyful experience,, of your spirit of inclusion, your optimism and your grace in wanting to extend a forgiving hand gave me goose bumps! Thank you.