A Fabulous 4th of July

Early this afternoon when the skies were clear (for a moment) I looked out my glass screen door and saw two little boys putting mini American flags on everyone's front lawn. I looked up my street and saw flapping flags and thought that I'm now a part of this America not just some disenfranchised minority without rights and who is barely tolerated to exist.

Things have now changed. I have the right to openly serve my country and to marry whom I love. Progress indeed. Now if the rest of the country will only grant the right to marry for everyone, our country will be even a better place to be a citizen. Momentum is with us LGBT. The future is ours if not only a little way in the distance. So in the meanwhile have yourself a FABULOUS and HAPPY 4th!!! Because we earned it.

Birthday Wish for Our Country

Why is it always so HOT on the 4th of July? I know, it's summer, and of course it's hot in the summer. But here in DC we always have a heat wave on the 4th. I can tell you of 4ths that I spent in shopping malls to avoid the heat (once it was Pentagon City, so I guess that counts at least as patriotic). I've also spent the entire 4th at home, having declined invitations to BBQs, pool parties and fireworks on the Mall.

But this year I want to brave the crowds, search endlessly for a parking space, and endure the evening heat -- all to be with a local like-minded community as it celebrates the birth of our country with music and a display of fireworks. In the past, I've watched the fireworks from the Mall on TV. (Kathleen even hates that. She says that they roll the credits before the finale is over---whatever!)

But I'm feeling a little patriotic this year. And I'm feeling a little hopful too! Maybe we can get Barack re-elected, and the world can continue to follow a saner path. That's my birthday wish for our country...and the world!