It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Depending on who you ask, of course.
October is officially behind us, taking its plethora of Pride and Halloween events with it, and the Thanksgiving table is almost set. Christmas enthusiasts are well into decorating and those who aren’t as holiday-centric are humbugging about Mariah Carey. It’s just magical.
November has always been an interesting time of the year to me. My birthday is the first week of December, so as a child its 30 days were spent reminding folks of that fact. Thanksgiving was exclusively for that purpose, prepping people to pass the gravy and prepare their presents.
The month has taken on new meaning as I’ve gotten older, particularly after I came out. It wasn’t long afterwards that I was able to vote for the first time, and within a few more years my perspective on November shifted forever.
Barack Obama won the presidency Nov. 4, 2008, showing me that real change – with the necessary work behind it – was possible. It was the first time I felt like the political process had power.
“If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer,” Obama said that night.
I thought he was captivating then, and after all this time still do.
“It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, Black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled — Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of red states and blue states; we are, and always will be, the United States of America,” he continued.
I still remember him saying “gay.” It was the first time I felt like someone who would become the nation’s president had seen value in someone like me.
“It’s the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day,” Obama added. “It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.”
The years since have seen political losses and wins, among them marriage equality. November changed for me yet again six years ago when my husband and I were wed Nov. 12, 2016. Happy anniversary, Wade. I love you.
It’s all helped me realize how important the political process is, given that my civil rights have been on the ballot in every election of my adult life. This year’s been no different.
We’ve just come to the end of a very long election season, one full of calls, emails, predictions, texts and all the anxiety that comes with them. As I write this I’m on one end of it, with every key race impacting our community still undecided.
Once it’s published, we’ll know how the election will impact LGBTQ Americans and those of us here in Florida for years to come. So in other words, there’s still plenty of anxiety.
It makes it a little difficult to write a column like this, but I’m cautiously optimistic. I am most of the time, perhaps because of landmark victories like we had in 2008. Thanks, Obama.
It sometimes gets me in trouble, like in 2016 when I was sure our nation would do the right thing and didn’t. Other times I’m rewarded with a sigh of relief, like in 2020 when most folks finally did.
I’m not naïve, however, and I know there will be losses to mourn. I just know that whatever the 2022 election brings, I’m still proud to have supported LGBTQ advocates up and down the ballot.
Candidates like Charlie Crist, Val Demings, Eunic Ortiz, Michele Rayner and more will make a difference in whatever comes next, for all of us, and we can join them. We just have to keep showing up.
As a wise man once said, “Don’t boo, vote.” The 2024 election is just around the corner, so take a breather and then get back to work.
We check in with organizations doing important work of their own in this issue. The One Orlando Alliance details the results of their LGBTQ survey in Central Florida. In Tampa Bay, Equality Florida’s Tampa gala raises a record amount of funds.
In arts and entertainment, Nathan Lee Graham guides “Hadestown” through Florida. The mythical musical comes to Tampa and Orlando soon.
Watermark strives to bring you a variety of stories, your stories. Please stay safe, stay informed and enjoy this latest issue.
