Politics...

So, for the first time, EVER, I had to stand in line to get into my polling place and vote. I know some of you are thinking that odd since I live in Manhattan, but it's true. I have had small lines to contend with, but never ones that wrap around the block. I am home sick today, fever, aches, cough, running nose, congestion...yada, yada, yada. I summoned all of my energy and showered and walked over to vote, knowing that early was better than later.

I studied Political Science in college, and I remember one of my professors in one of those first Poli Sci classes asking why we got into politics. I remember listening to everyone's answers: they wanted a career in public service, it was a good major for law school, etc. My answer was a little bit more flippant, but definitely closer to home. When I was a kid, my uncle ran for Mayor of the next town/city over. He had put one of his campaign signs in my grandmother's garage, on top of the cabinet where all of my toys were stored. I didn't know it was there, and opened the cabinet, only to have the sign fall off and hit me in the head/nose. Quite literally, Politics hit me over the head. That's the flip part. The reality is, politics has always been part of my family's discourse. Growing up there were always conversations about politics. My grandmother and aunt were very outspoken democrats and I remember always admiring them for having the courage/conviction to go up against most of the rest of my family when it came to politics.

When I registered to vote, I was of course a Democrat. Those were ideals that I could stand behind. I am definitely more liberal than other members of my family. I rememeber wanting to be able to be on my grandmother and aunt's side when the discusstion turned to politics, even before I could understand those conversations. They believed what they were talking about, and even I, as a child, could see that. My first presidential election was for Clinton's first term in office, and I was able to hear him speak not long after that election. It was really awe-inspiring - whether you believed in him or not.

My dad is worried about my politics, more so than my sexuality. Even to this day, the one thing he'd like to change is the Democrat in my, not the gay. When I came out, I remember him asking if I was still a Democrat. I, of course, answered yes. He asked if we could work on that. That was the extent of his concern over my coming out (at least the concern that he voiced to me). For me, I think the liberal, Democrat and gay all go hand in hand, so to speak. They are all a PART of who I am as a whole.

Politics has been a part of my life for so long, and I've been thinking about it alot lately. If you haven't done so yet - GO VOTE. I don't care who you're voting for, get up, get out and vote. Excercise your right to be heard.