...which motivated me, this past night, to finally compose the fan-letter I've been meaning to send him for years. Text:
Dear Mr. Newsom:
Even though we’re all sitting and expecting to hear bad news about Prop. 8, there was one glorious moment, some years back, for which I wanted to thank you: It was Friday, Feburary 14, 2004, when I drove and walked over to Van Ness, to see the couples lined up down the block, waiting for their marriage licenses.
And it was irresistible. I was nothing like these people – a suburban, middle-aged white guy in a “traditional”, heterosexual, monogamous marriage – but the joy, the rightness of the moment, the real sense of achievement and progress, were palpable. So, I did what anyone with common sense would do: I applauded, and walked around giving my best wishes.
I’m sure many other people’s work also went into that moment, but you were the one who set that into motion, who said “No, we’re going to make this happen. Not in ten years, today.” Judge Kramer, the California Supreme Court, and everyone else reacted to what you did. And it is not forgotten.
Rarely do we get the chance to do something that truly makes a difference. You did. That’s a rare and valuable thing. The setbacks of the moment will pass; what you did was one for the record-books. The history books, actually: With one bold action, you pole-vaulted straight into the ranks of the good guys.
Needless to say, you will always be welcome at my family’s table, and, when marriage is made right, my wife and I will drink a toast to your honor.
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Date: 2008-11-06 12:13 pm (UTC)Dear Mr. Newsom:
Even though we’re all sitting and expecting to hear bad news about Prop. 8, there was one glorious moment, some years back, for which I wanted to thank you: It was Friday, Feburary 14, 2004, when I drove and walked over to Van Ness, to see the couples lined up down the block, waiting for their marriage licenses.
And it was irresistible. I was nothing like these people – a suburban, middle-aged white guy in a “traditional”, heterosexual, monogamous marriage – but the joy, the rightness of the moment, the real sense of achievement and progress, were palpable. So, I did what anyone with common sense would do: I applauded, and walked around giving my best wishes.
I’m sure many other people’s work also went into that moment, but you were the one who set that into motion, who said “No, we’re going to make this happen. Not in ten years, today.” Judge Kramer, the California Supreme Court, and everyone else reacted to what you did. And it is not forgotten.
Rarely do we get the chance to do something that truly makes a difference. You did. That’s a rare and valuable thing. The setbacks of the moment will pass; what you did was one for the record-books. The history books, actually: With one bold action, you pole-vaulted straight into the ranks of the good guys.
Needless to say, you will always be welcome at my family’s table, and, when marriage is made right, my wife and I will drink a toast to your honor.
Very Best Regards,