[iamkeri1]

Ms T.
Thank you once again for all you have done, for years now, to keep us all in the know about the growing universality of legality of same sex marriages.

Same sex marriages are legal in Florida!!! I am overwhelmed by this, as I never believed it would happen in my life time.

In 1971, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, I was a member of the Gay Liberation Front. We were doing class room information sessions at colleges, and providing speakers for clubs and organizations who would agree to work with us. At that time, homosexual acts were still illegal in many states. Police officers sweeping through a gay bar, arresting all patrons, particularly male patrons, was common. Our brothers and sisters were hauled off to jail, fined or imprisoned. Many lost their jobs and their families. Some lost their lives.

They, and those of us who survived; who marched, protested, voted, wrote letters, opened our hearts to our friends and families, celebrated every little victory, and wept over every little loss, have made much progress. Today I am proud and happy. It is satisfying to know that in some very small way, I contributed to this progress. It is another time to celebrate.

Now there are other things that I dare to hope to live to see happen: Marriage equality in the remaining states, SCOTUS decisions that federalize and confirm this equality, elimination of job. housing, healthcare and all other forms of discrimination against and among LGBTQ folk, etc

This is a happy and blessed day for me. Whether or not you are interested in marrying, Brothers and Sisters, in my state and most others, you are free to make that choice. May it soon be true for all people in all places.
Many many Smooches.
Keri