Tony Kushner Responds To The Repeal Of Gay Marriage In Maine

Yesterday voters repealed a state law passed in May that legalized gay marriage in Maine. With 53 percent opposed to the law, Maine now has the dubious honor of joining 30 other states in which gay marriage has lost when put to a popular vote. As the news broke early this morning, acclaimed playwright Tony Kushner offered this exclusive comment to OUT:

“The news from Maine doesn’t make me depressed, but it does make me angry. I’m angry that bigots, cretins and theocrats get to vote on whether or not their fellow citizens are entitled to equality under the law. Our basic right to equal treatment is guaranteed by the US Constitution and should not be subject to state referendums. I’m angry that the Catholic Church and the Mormons, tax exempt under the increasingly laughable pretext that they have something to do with God, pump millions upon millions of dollars into this wicked campaign to promote bigotry and perpetuate human suffering, while supporters of LGBT equality pay taxes for the privilege of continuing to be not-fully enfranchised sub-citizens. I’m very angry that we’re being forced to fight for equality on a state-by-state basis. We are American citizens and we are entitled to 14th Amendment protection in every aspect of our lives, in every state in the union. I have no doubt whatsoever that LGBT people will soon accomplish this, but I’m angry at the setbacks, of course, in Maine, in California, which do nothing but hurt real human beings and gain no one anything that any sane human being could possibly want. And I guess I should add that I’m angry at the LGBT community’s lack of effective national political leadership, our lack of a coordinated national strategy, but there are signs that maybe this is beginning to change. And I guess I should add that I’m angry at myself: I didn’t send money or help out in Maine, so who have I got to be angry at, really, other than myself? On the other hand: 47% for marriage equality is a number that should hearten us and dishearten the bigots, cretins and theocrats. So let’s get back to work.”

Somber Reflection

This has been an extremely busy week thus far. Therefore I won’t be able to add much on here except for a few photos that we took on Halloween when George and I were on the “Strip.”

Many of my fellow bloggers are going through some very tough times. All I can do is offering my sincerest well wishes. It may not be much of a comfort but I do know what most of you are going through and I feel for you. You are all in our thoughts.

With so much pain and suffering one has to endure in life, you would think people know better than to inflicting even more on other people’s life. But after yesterday’s election results in New Jersey and Virginia, as well as the Gay Marriage defeat in Maine, I’m seriously questioning the human condition in this country. So much for freedom and equality in America. But I expected as much and will just leave it at that.

“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others.
And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.”
-Dalai Lama

The sky has found its limit here...and it’s the ceiling.

Light fixtures at Planet Dailies.

Planet Hollywood colors.

City Center’s Aria.

Arc de Triomphe...Las Vegas style.

I Now Pronounce You...

...well, not quite.



But today makes George and I an officially partnered couple. We’ve been a couple for over five years, mind you. However, today it’s officially legal as well. The new Domestic Partnership laws go in effect as of today in the State of Nevada.



We are “Domestic Partnershipped.”


Okay, that does sound hokey. Is there another word to describe this more appropriately? It surely doesn’t have the same ring like “we are married,” but that is what it feels like to us at least. Even if our relationship and our newfound rights are not recognized on a federal level. But all that doesn’t matter for now.


George and I are a happily partnered couple and we are finally being legally accepted as such in Nevada. The state’s motto is “Battle Born.” What a battle it has been for the LGBT community in this state. But we prevailed and now it’s time to celebrate. And we hope there will be more celebrations like this to come for every state in this country in the very near future.


Links to the web sites of the local newspapers and their contribution to this historic day are here and here.


Congratulations to everyone involved and all the best for the future.


George, I love you with all my heart.

Change only for the Straight?

We received an anonymous and interesting comment in response to my last entry and regarding Proposition 8 in California.

Los Angeles Times

We think it’s a bit unfair to say that gay activists let us down. There were more than enough LGBT organizations out there to inform us about what was going on regarding Proposition 8 ever since it succeeded to be put on the voting ballot. We’ve been following the print and television news for months and also read countless articles, opinions, blogs, comments and strategic plans how to combat this unfair proposition.

Additionally, there were numerous organizations and groups where people could join or donate either money or personal time as a volunteer to help spread the news how to defeat this measure.
Of course, this also meant that people had to be making a personal effort to actually do some research and seek out this types of groups and activities. Either on the internet or by calling or visiting their offices in person. In doing so, an interested reader and potential voter would have gathered enough information about the issues, the pros and cons presented by supporters and their opponents, and the opportunities to get involved or to visit meetings and rallies.

And here lies the problem. It takes effort to do these things. YOU have to make this happen. You cannot solely rely on the news or those organizations to come to you. They can only do so much and only succeed if you let them. America has become a society of convenience. If something requires the slightest effort on someone’s part, then no one will even attempt to make an effort. And if the subject matter is not interesting enough or presented all neatly and flashy, people tend to loose attention very quickly. Even if the issue at stake would greatly improve their own rights or benefits.

So, to say that gay activists let us down is not quite true. There were...and still are...more than enough outlets to inform and get informed on what happened. Besides mainstream media, there were many web sites and blogs. Some web sites were just recently created for the purpose to get the latest news out to the people and call for their involvement. If people are truly interested to get the latest news or facts about issues, then they’ll get them. They’ll make an effort to find the information. Eventually, the information will find them somehow. We live in Nevada, but we knew that it didn’t look too good for our side in California. Or Arizona. Or Florida. We even knew that the Swedish government is split on the gay marriage issue in that country.

We saw the news that Proposition 8 had a good chance of passing. So did many others, on both sides. Many people stepped up their efforts even more to do whatever they deemed necessary to either help or defeat this measure. The gay activists did everything they could to help us all achieve equal rights. And for that we thank them from the bottom of our hearts. Unfortunately, our opponents had more money, manpower and help from the outside to misconstrue perceptions and spread false information about the LGBT community.

However, we do agree on one thing. The apathy of many people when it comes to the right to vote, or politics in general. This is not a particular gay or straight quality. But gay people seem to be particularly indifferent when it comes to their own civil rights. If something is not exciting enough they couldn’t be bothered with it. We hate to admit this, but the majority of the gay community is indeed superficial and doesn’t take gay rights and issues very serious. When important issues are discussed then most gays will scream: “Boring.” While this certainly does not apply to everyone, that wide-spread gay stereotype however is for the most part very much true.

That’s why George and I aren’t part of the so-called gay scene. Whatever that means. We don’t fit their criteria and quite frankly...we don’t want to. If we do happen to attend a gay social gathering or go to a gay bar, others wouldn’t give us the time of day. Even if we just try to start a friendly, harmless small-talk with some people, hoping to break some ice. Most are too consumed with certain looks, appearances or some hierarchical ranking. It is next to impossible to be integrated into that clique if one doesn’t fit the expected label.

They can have that all nonsense. We already gave up on the notion to make even one decent friend and have come to the conclusion that there really is no gay community. Not in the sense of camaraderie or helping to make a difference for the good of the many. Gay...or straight, for that matter. At least not in Las Vegas. Our society has become very pretentious, suspicious and angry, but oblivious to everything else at the same time.

If we sound bitter, we’re not. It’s somewhat sad that it seems so difficult to make any friends. But that’s okay. It‘s their loss, not ours. George and I have each other. Besides, we have some friends, although they’re all living out-of-state. And if we get to see them every once in a blue moon, so be it.

Yet I’m still giving everyone the benefit of the doubt. Yes, even the gays. Despite the many dissapointments. Maybe one day they too will realize that fighting for people’s rights and the community’s well-being...or just giving someone the time of day...is far more rewarding than hearing the latest gossip of so-and-so or be up-to-date with the newest trends.

The people here in the United States just elected it’s first black president. Progress has been made. So there’s still hope yet. Maybe this is the kick in the butt that America, or Americans, needed to finally start shedding some of the prejudice and that fear of the unknown. Maybe the promised change will indeed come and help to open minds and hearts again down the road. Who knows? Time will tell.

Maybe we’ll see the first female president. The first gay president.

Like I concluded in my previous entry...baby steps.

Small little baby steps.

By the way...gay activists alert! November 15th, 2008 is National Day Of Protest Against Marriage Discrimination. So make your voice heard. Find more info on this web site:

www.jointheimpact.com We’re positive that there are many more web sites like this out there.

Make an effort, be involved, help change minds for the better.