As a homosexual I have grown used to the fact, indeed, nearly accepted the fact, that I will probably always be a second class citizen so long as I live in the US and both parties pander to some degree to the religious right.

Nobody in the federal government wants to touch same-sex marriage or same-sex unions, just leave it to the states, right?But it's not a state matter. What about my federal tax benefits? What if I want to be with someone who isn't a US citizen (and still live in the US)? What about the highly questionable constitutionality of DOMA? These are things that have to be addressed by the federal government, and until they step in to do so my place in society will be less than heterosexuals.

/sigh
//at least I have slashies to cheer me up.

WFern: In the 1960s, interracial marriage was still left largely to the states. Today, that would be an unthinkable position. I won't pretend it's going to happen overnight, but I have no doubt that most of us will see gay marriage on the federal level within our lifetime.

I wish I could have your optimism. Yeah probably in 30 to 50 years time it'll be legal, but what the fark good will it do me then? Also as long as homsexuality is regarded as a choice, it wont get the same level of sympathy from some groups as being black got in the 60s. According to the nutjobs you can't help being black but you can do something about being gay.

bobbette:
Everyone thought that same way in Canada. But people kept fighting and we won. Don't give up or think it will "eventually happen". Over the past few years, visibility and acceptance have really increased. When Ellen is the most popular TV host in America, and she & Portia have a cover and spread in People magazine with their wedding photos... the more visibility there is, the more people even in the heartland are going to think, "Yeah, maybe this isn't such a big deal."

Work/donate/volunteer and most importantly, force the issue of equality at every level of government.

I do already. Don't get me wrong I'm sure at some point the laws will change (by the time the 52nd century rolls around certainly) but I doubt I'll see it at any point in my lifetime where it will matter to me as a person. I do work to gain visibility and equality for it as much as I can here in Utah, but even among Dems here the idea of gay people even openly existing in the state is sort of scary. For Utah, I'll be happy when I can't lose my job or my apartment because I'm gay. Everything else is just a pipe dream to me.

Oh and all my bitterness comes from living in Utah. Can't really afford to transfer schools and move though, sadly.

Polyhazard:
Ever notice that the many of the same people who claim homosexuality is a "choice" and shouldn't be a protected class are often the same people who are proud of their "choice" to accept Jesus and believe they should be protected from religious discrimination?

I definitely notice this, being from Utah. Apparently though "choosing" to be gay is more akin to choosing to snort coke than choosing to love Jesus. At least thats the argument as I've heard.