On
a recent Sunday, I officially joined a Unitarian Universalist church
in Seattle. Not even 24 hours later, I bussed down to the state capital
with a bunch of church members for a rally.
How’s that for acting speedily on my faith? Especially as I’d
only just discovered that I have some.
Admittedly, this particular rally was a no-brainer for me: it was all about
gay rights. Co-sponsored by the Religious Coalition for Equality and Equal
Rights Washington, Equality Day 2006 took place after the House had passed
the anti-discrimination bill and as the Senate was taking it up. Last year,
after almost three decades of trying, the bill failed by one vote in the
Senate. This year, failure is as palatable as Brussels sprouts.
Add to that the fact that we in Washington have been waiting for the state
Supreme Court to announce its decision on gay marriage approximately since
Truman was president and I knew I had to be on that bus to Olympia.
A fortuitous decision, I realized as we boarded, when I heard an older
church member introduce her friend to one of the ministers. “We each
have a gay child. Isn’t that great?”
Our contingent included lesbian parents with their toddler, high school
students and both of the church’s ministers. It seemed to me most
people on board were straight, and if I’m not careful, I could go
into a paroxysm of gratitude.
Soon after we arrived, the steps of the Capitol were lousy with Unitarians.
So many banners were in evidence that a rabbi from Everett joked to our
minister, “The Unitarians must run the printing business.”
The steps filled up and the rally was underway. The Seattle Men’s
and Women’s Choruses performed a ditty called “I Do” whose
lyrics included, “Who wants to blow a fortune on flowers? Scribble
invitations for hours and hours? Open stupid presents at bridal showers?
Who wants to say ‘I do?’ Well I do.”
Another highlight for me was when three leaders from the Christian, Jewish
and Islamic faiths shared the dais. Each spoke compellingly and each quoted
from his faith tradition on the necessity of pursuing justice, even when
it’s not popular. These three worked well enough together that I
couldn’t help but nickname them Larry, Curly and Moe. I’m weak
that way.
Gov. Gregoire remembered back to 1977 when the first brave souls started
this legislation. “Finally after 29 years Washington state will pass
the civil rights bill!” From her mouth to the ears of the many Gods
in attendance.
After the remarks, songs and prayers concluded, it was time to seek out
our state senators. I hung around on the Capitol steps a while longer,
watching as “Catholics for Justice” and Wallingford United
Methodist Church and Ingraham High School posed for group photos. It was
indeed a day to record.
My friend Bobbie and I located Sen. [Ken] Jacobsen’s office and entered
long enough to shake hands and hear him say he thought it looked good.
All this optimism from politicos. After last year’s crushing loss,
I’ll believe it when I see it. And probably not even then.
Bobbie and I dipped into the cafeteria for a bite. A state trooper stood
in line, a few feet from a man sporting long hair, a beard and a delicate
skirt. Ah, democracy.
We ambled back toward the buses, enjoying the sun I suspected would be
nowhere to be seen in Seattle. Bobbie asked two bus drivers where our bus
was. She said that we came down with a group of Unitarians. One driver
replied, “I’m with the Jewish folks.”
Wrong bus. Right day. |
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