Atlanta
Pride
is
a
celebration
to
be
sure,
but
also
a
time
to
reflect
on
our
historic
struggles
and
challenges
of
the
future.
We
are
living
through
history.
The
gay
history
timeline
featured
throughout
this
issue
is
a
testament
to
our
direction,
the
roadblocks
placed
before
us
and
the
rich
past
from
which
we
all
come
or
overcome.
Where
are
we
now?
A
new
location
for
Atlanta
Pride
and
bi-coastal
recognition
of
same-sex
marriage
are
small
indications
of
how
much
has
changed.
Twenty
years
ago,
in
Southern
Voice’s
first
year,
the
question
was
whether
most
of
us
would
be
alive
tomorrow.
In
1988,
many
of
us
wondered
if
in
fact
there
was
a
future
to
even
consider
personally,
much
less
as
a
group.
Now,
we
speak
of
marriage
rights
and
equal
benefits
—
amazing
ideas
to
some,
fearful
and
hateful
ideas
to
others.
What
exactly
is
it
that
so
many
people
just
don’t
understand?
Corporate
America
understands,
with
extensive
domestic
partner
benefits
to
motivate
and
maintain
a
competitive
workforce.
Leading
countries
on
this
continent
and
Europe
understand
that,
in
the
words
of
the
California
Supreme
Court,
“no
state
has
the
power
to
determine
what
constitutes
a
family
unit.”
THAT
IN
ESSENCE
is
the
central
issue.
Taken
to
the
ultimate
conclusion,
how
can
our
federal
government
deny
(or
discriminate
through)
marriage
benefits?
We
pay
taxes
to
support
schools,
infrastructure,
Medicare,
Social
Security
and
a
litany
of
other
benefits
for
everyone.
Should
our
families
not
share
in
the
same
benefits
and
protections
granted
to
all
families?
The
debate
falls
apart
on
a
singular
point:
the
separation
of
church
and
state.
The
state
grants
rights;
religion
doesn’t.
“Same-sex
marriage
threatens
the
sanctity
of
marriage”
is
the
main
argument
of
our
opponents.
But
the
state
doesn’t
grant
sanctity
of
marriage,
only
marriage
benefits.
A
religion
can
and
should
marry
anyone
its
believers
wish,
but
not
dictate
discriminatory
practices
because
one
does
not
believe
in
another
family’s
structure.
Others
argue
these
decisions
should
be
left
to
the
individual
states
instead,
not
focusing
on
the
issue
of
federal
benefits
at
all.
TURNING
OUR
ATTENTION
back
to
Atlanta
Pride,
we
now
celebrate
in
conjunction
with
the
232nd
anniversary
of
our
country’s
Declaration
of
Independence.
I
can’t
think
of
a
more
fitting
time
to
celebrate
Pride
and
to
remind
us
all
that
we
live
in
the
United
States
of
America.
Founded
upon
the
principles
of
the
Declaration
of
Independence,
the
Constitution
and
the
Bill
of
Rights,
no
other
country
—
at
the
time
of
our
nation’s
inception
or
since
—
has
so
eloquently
and
deliberately
communicated
the
triumph
over
what
we
call
today
conventional
wisdom.
This
weekend
we
celebrate
our
independence
and
the
Constitution.
The
strength
and
longevity
of
our
democracy
is
founded
upon
each
generation’s
willingness
to
fight
oppression.
This
ongoing
battle
provides
for
civil
rights
and
personal
freedoms.
One
might
say
our
marriage
rights
are
not
of
consequence.
But
these
freedoms
are
guaranteed
under
the
Constitution,
a
perfect
document
designed
to
correct
itself
to
serve
the
times
in
which
we
live.
In
1808,
was
there
a
need
for
same-sex
marriage?
In
1908?
Perhaps,
but
then
there
were
no
federal
marriage
benefits.
So
the
lack
of
marriage
rights
did
not
create
a
second
class
of
citizenry.
In
2008,
it
does.
What
we
are
now
living
through
is
a
natural
evolution
of
our
society.
I
AM
REMINDED
of
a
personal
event
that
has
even
greater
meaning
now.
Several
years
ago,
I
drove
through
Dalton,
Ga.,
and
stopped
at
a
national
chain
fast
food
restaurant.
A
young
family
had
walked
in
behind
me.
The
youngest
boy,
about
14
years
of
age,
wore
a
t-shirt
that
said,
“I
am
proud
of
my
Confederate
ancestors.”
My
sensibilities
were
shaken.
“How
could…?”
I
thought.
But
now,
I
see
that
t-shirt
in
a
different
light
and
I
too
am
proud
of
that
boy’s
Confederate
ancestors.
Our
country
today
is
stronger
because
of
this
group
of
people
who
were
so
terribly,
ethically
and
morally
wrong.
That
historic
fight
became
the
beacon
of
light
for
the
rest
of
the
world.
It
is
our
right
and
obligation
to
correct
grave
injustice
inflicted
upon
us.
As
Americans,
we
have
no
choice.
Our
fight
now
insures
that
future
groups
with
future
oppressions
can
and
will
still
be
a
part
of
this
great
experiment,
the
United
States
of
America.
Life,
Liberty
and
the
Pursuit
of
Happiness.
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