Reflecting on the Amendment

As Mother's Day comes to a close, I'm sitting with my laptop on a beach house porch overlooking the ocean at the mouth of the Cape Fear River on Bald Head Island, NC.  The beach is my favorite place to be. My family and some friends are inside playing Wits and Wagers and tired from our time on the beach. The blender has begun to whirl.  

My day started with a rare run with my husband during which we explored a few miles of the island together.  This is our first time to visit, and we might have found a favorite vacation spot.  It almost seems too perfect here.  The island is secluded and restorative and just what I need now because I am in the midst of an existential crisis.  I thought it had passed, but it returned with a vengeance.

Since my last published post, I wrote a post and wrote an essay in my head during a 10 miler.  Actually, I was ruminating and expanding on my thoughts about the passage of the amendment in my state that defines marriage as between one man and one woman.  I restrained myself from posting my thoughts.  When I started this blog, I wanted to keep politics and religion out of it.  After all, they are usually not topics one broaches at a polite, social gathering among a diverse group.

I have found it difficult to stay silent here because I consider myself an advocate for the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender) community.  I am a counselor through education and training.  Counselors are not supposed to keep silent on issues such as this.  This is who I am.  So, if you read my blog, know that I must be genuine.  I voted against this amendment.  Most voters in the Triangle area where I live are like minded and voted against it; however, most rural voters supported the amendment.  Through social media I watched as friends on both sides of the issue posted reminders to vote their way and then friends, on both sides, were either upset, angry, hurt, bewildered or a mix of these following the vote and ensuing comments.  People on opposing sides think the other side is just wrong.  

I feel guilty because I am able to escape somewhat from LGBT issues.  I am not currently a practicing counselor.  Heck, I'm on an island accessible only by ferry or boat, inhabited with affluent residents with cultural capital.  People who are gay or love those who are cannot escape from their struggle for equality at the hands of the majority -- at least not in today's world.