My Soapbox

A couple of years ago CD and I were in D.C. visiting one of her old high school chums. D.C.! I know I may be a bit of a idealist, but I have a very soft spot for our nation's capital. I have this undying belief that we are a nation that is built on its citizenry. And I really really believe in the bottom of my heart that we can make a difference, we can over come our differences and be this amazing light in the world.

I know we aren't there. I know it takes moments of national and international tragedy for us to really realize how great we are. When we stop worry about the "me" and the "you" and come together as the "we" ..WE are powerful. WE raise money. WE take care of our own. WE take care of our people.

Interestingly enough, my post isn't even about how great WE are. It is more about how sometimes I'm still surprised how far we have to go.

This was the first time I'd met her friends and honestly was quite taken back by how living in the D.C area wasn't an amazing experience for them, based on their stories. There were criticisms of foreigners not knowing how to drive and labels thrown left and right, all to my surprise. Being just introduced, I tried my darndest to hold my tongue. And for awhile I did. However, as we were getting ready to potentially meet up with friends of friends, I heard the wife whisper to the husband as we loaded into their car, "Do you think we should call them and warn them?"

DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD CALL THEM AND WARN THEM?

It took me a second to realize they were talking about us. They thought they needed to call their friends and warn them about us. About me and CD. WARN THEM. I was beyond flabbergasted.
I was offended and hurt and angry that CD's friends thought they would have to warn ANYONE about us EVER. And so....in my own way (grin), I let them know exactly what I just stated above.

CD, was not pleased.

She is much more of the peace-maker. I am much more of the non peace-maker. I just couldn't get my mind around that thought. These people know her, love her, invited us to stay with them so they could meet her girlfriend, and then slapped us, our love and our being in the face. In D.C.!

WHAT?

So....after an angry night of defensive reasons and crying, the next day we all went out had a few beers and kinda not talked about the night before.

I've never forgotten it. I've chalked it up there as one of those things that I can't believe has happened b/c I've fallen in love.

So....a couple of years distance removed from the situation and CD's friend was in town. They had dinner and apparently this topic came up.

Huh...I am still shocked at this next statement... CD's friend told her that she said that b/c she wanted to make sure nothing violent happened.

SHE WANTED TO MAKE SURE NOTHING VIOLENT HAPPENED.

WHAT?

I'm so confused how you can invite a friend over have the thought of "Hey let's see if so and so want to meet up" and then think, "Hmmmm I better warn them there are a couple of lesbians around so they don't get violent"

I asked CD if it sounded like an apology. She said it sounded more like guilt than an apology.

And that's how it sounded to me.

It's crazy how powerful WE are. WE can build each other up. WE can tear each other down. And WE can justify each and every variation in between. And for what? B/c when the planes strike or the earthquake hits, we aren't asking for orientation or tax brackets or an insurance card. WE are reaching out hands, reaching into pocket books and coming together as people, as brothers, as sisters...as we should.