Thankful at Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is Thursday – like you didn’t know that.  I have always felt this is the best time of the year.  And not just for the obvious things, like days off from work, massive amounts of fat foods, booze, gifts, football, etc.  Like so many other people, I get a warm feeling at this time of year, feeling more attached to other people and to the communities around me, the communities that I am part of.  One of these communities is the Queer community, and as a gay man, I have a ton to be thankful for this year.

I am thankful for the activism shown by so many of my Queer brothers and sisters throughout this great country and around the world; I am thankful for our efforts around Prop 8, and, in the wake of defeat, for our ongoing commitment to turn a temporary loss into an ultimate victory. 

I am thankful for the ever-growing visibility and courage of Queer Americans, from the light-hearted yet opinion-altering force of Ellen Degeneres and her out and proud show, to the relentless spirit of Father Geoffrey Farrow of Fresno, CA, who accepted abandonment by his church rather than continue to accept a life of lies.

I am thankful for the courage shown by this nation in electing a young, smart and hope-inspiring man – who also happens to be African-American – as President of the United States, and for the fact that Barack Obama, in his acceptance speech before the entire world, directed the world’s attention to the inherent value of gays and lesbians as Americans, through and through.

I am thankful for my friends, my family, my dog Eric.  For the Cubs, for my health (what’s left of it!), for great music and for great times.

Most of all I am thankful for God’s gift to me, given through His divine countenance, which was to make me gay and to teach me to love.

I would love to hear what you are thankful for this year! 

Peace, brothers and sisters!

(Photo: Getty Images)