A Hope For Thanks

On the eve of Thanksgiving, I want to pause to reflect on a few of the many things for which I hope to one day be thankful for.


I hope to be thankful for a movement that swept this nation that helped all kids finally feel safe and secure in their schools. For legislation that helped to make bullying not only illegal, but socially unacceptable so all children, no matter how far "off from normal," can be confident that they’ll be protected against physical and verbal abuse. They will take hope in their peers now wearing purple once each year in memory of those whose lives were lost or destroyed due to bullying, not to protest an on-going problem.

I hope to be thankful that no one can be legally fired from a job just because they’re gay, lesbian, or gender non-conforming. The passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 201? will cap a long, hard battle led by openly LGBT members of Congress and their many straight allies who believe in justice and equality.

I hope to be thankful to those LGBT citizens openly serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard, and the brave activists who made their service possible with the repeal of DODT in late 2010.

I hope to be thankful that I live in a nation that fully understands that the right to basic health care is fundamental, and a sign of a compassionate society.

Mostly, I hope to be thankful to live in a country that accepts and values the relationship I have with Brad – and that we are both parents to our beautiful son, Kyler. I hope to say that not so many years ago, I feared he would live in a country where fear and bias prevented loving and committed same-sex couples from marrying, and where he’d be subject to ridiculous ideas that his family didn’t have the same value as others.

I am thankful today, however, for Brad and my son......my family. Each day I wake up and feel blessed in so many beautiful ways. I have love in my heart that also has a home in the hearts of two others. I am also thankful for all of my friends and family who have supported us and continue to support us as we build our family. We couldn't have done it without you!