Americans from all across the country, included federally elected officials, celebrated National Coming Out Day this week.
According to the Human Rights Campaign, this annual day is to celebrate closeted homosexuals who have dared to "come out" and openly proclaim their sexual orientation.
28 years ago, on the anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, we first observed National Coming Out Day as a reminder that one of our most basic tools is the power of coming out. One out of every two Americans has someone close to them who is gay or lesbian. For transgender people, that number is only one in 10.-Human Rights Campaign-Human Rights Campaign
Gay rights has turned into a big wedge issue, as both its opponents and proponents have used it to drive their respective political agendas.
Does Texas have a constitutional right to defy Supreme Court on protecting its border?
Those either opposing or supporting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) movement and its efforts tend to be part of the fringe elements of both the Republican and Democratic Parties.
For the most part, LGBT types and other Gay rights activists see Republicans and Conservatives as being the Big Bad Wolves who hate homosexuals and their lifestyle. The same can be said for those so-called "crunchy Christians" who see homosexuality as an biblical "abomination" and must be stopped at all costs.
Because many of these fringy amigos within both political parties have a big say when it comes down to voting, it is no surprise that those aforementioned elected officials tend to support what their constituents are railing against.
The divide among Arizona's congressional delegation on this issue is pretty clear. Arizona, like Florida (more like pinkish-blue) is a state that is considered "red" because of how Arizonans vote in presidential elections.
#LoveIsLove and #YouAreYou. Be proud of your story and know that you have support. #NationalComingOutDay https://t.co/mGwcrTzvBe
— Ruben Gallego (@RepRubenGallego) October 11, 2016
Interestingly enough, Rep. Gallego was the only Democrat to tweet in favor of the day. It's no surprise that congressional Republicans stayed away from this issue less than four weeks until the general election.
Most Americans believe that regardless of your sexual preference or orientation, all Americans are protected under the Constitution of the United States. Being straight does not give anyone special right or preferencec over those that are gay.
Now when it comes to same-sex marriage, well that's when the fireworks begin. Since June 2015, gay marriage has been legal in the United States after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the long-standing Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was unconstitutional.
Gay couples be allowed to marry and then lose half of their assets when they get divorced. It's the American way.
The Act was first introduced in 1996, passed in the Congress by overwhelming veto-proof majorities in both chambers, and then signed into law by then-President Bill Clinton.
Yes, Hillary Clinton and her husband supported DOMA.
