Celebration  

Tonight we are going to a party.

I mean a PARTY.

We, in Massachusetts, are celebrating the last three years of gay marriage rights, AND the unbelievable victory on June 17th, 2007 when MORE than three-quarters of the state legislature voted PRO-GAY MARRIAGE.

The Legislature defeated the ballot initiative that would have left the rights of a minority up to a majority by a vote of 151 to 44.

I’m taking my oldest son, Ben, with me tonight. Not only because he helped with a fundraising event at our house, being asked to help serve and clear the dinner-

I have to clear the plates? He asked in horror. I didn't even get to eat at the table!

But also because it’s a historic night. My god, who out there thought we’d have gay marriage in our lifetime? I didn’t. It was a dream, sure, but it was like asking Santa for a pony.

No one really gets a pony.

Well, except for Allan, one of the kids dads. But that’s another story.

Tonight, we are going celebrate being the first state in the country to have gay marriage. We’re going to celebrate the 151 state legislators that voted against discrimination, who are now a part of history.

Gay marriage.

I’m taking my son because I want him to soak it all in, along with too many ginger ales, and way too many grown ups asking him how old he is and does he like school.

It’s not about being gay or straight or bisexual. It’s about civil rights. It’s about equality for everyone. Same rules, across the board, no messing around with different words or titles, same access to insurance, to benefits, to visitation, to divorce, to government benefits…

Oops. Not true. No government benefits. I guess we know what the next step is…

But tonight? We dance!