Real queers cry at weddings

Photo: ABC/MICHAEL DESMOND

Yeah, yeah, I know we're all working on our best gay marriage jokes in the wake of the California Supreme Court decision to make marriage legal for gays and lesbians. That's because we're bitter queens, devoid of emotion and if there's one gift Paul Lynde gave our community, it was the knowledge that there ain't nothing so sacred that can't be turned into a punchy one-liner. Then again, Paul Lynde died miserable, alone and bitter -- and didn't even need to be married to get there. Ba-duh-dum!

Okay, maybe I'm just speaking for myself, but like a pink-furred version of The Grinch, a strange and heavy feeling seems to weighing on the empty cavity where I carved out my heart years ago. It's not just that I can get married, but also the relief in finding that I'm no longer a second-class citizen, coupled with the realization that's what I've been all these years, no matter how much I wanted to deny the injustice. And all this, "feeling" and "emotion", gross as it is, is actually kind of nice. So for the rest of you emotionally stunted, world-weary cynics out there, here's a little shock therapy to get your heart pumping again. Each have been carefully selected to reduce you to tears. Because really, you deserve a good cry.

If only Kevin had waited an extra week to get hitched to Scotty! Still, if the commitment-phobic gay lead of Brothers & Sisters can find true happiness, anyone can. And seriously, aren't we all just looking for a guy who will change the lightbulbs?

If fiction doesn't do it for you, the real life story of Fernando and Mike might get your tear ducts flowing. They were one of the couples married in San Francisco in 2004, which set off the events that led to today's decision. While their marriage was annulled, nothing now stands in the way of these two from legally marrying.

I used to think that some sort of civil union would satisfy my desire to be married, but I've come to believe that anything less than marriage is discrimination. Listening to the voices of people from around the country and around the world is a good reminder of how far we have to go, for something so fundamentally and morally necessary.

While I really wish this wasn't set to Jamiroquai songs, these photos of gay couples throughout history puts this day in context. How many loving couples lived their lives in secret and shame? How could we possibly ever go back?

What I want to see is a world full of YouTube marriage slide shows set to Josh Groban songs. Congratulations to Darren & Luke, who look as good in Speedos as they do in tuxes.

This one's my ace-in-the-hole. If the final scene from Angels in America doesn't move you, you ought to check your pulse. As Prior says, "The world only spins forward. We will be citizens. The time has come." You are fabulous, every one of you.

-- JAPHY GRANT

Ed. note: Want to make your own excited web video and set it to better music? Current is collecting vlog and text comments over here.

Comments

[Megan]

Omg, Japhy you are making me SOB at work. Not the first tears of the day, only the newest!

Not me. I'm happy with the ruling, support complete equality, etc., but recall Kinky Friedman's remark when running for Gov. of Texas: "Yeah, I'm for gay marriage. They have the right to be as miserable as the rest of us."

[Geoff]

Angels in America does it for me. If I ever need a good cry I just pop that one in.