Celebrating Independence day reminds me how fortunate, and thankful I am to live in the USA and count myself as an “American.” The reason is freedom.
Two freedoms in particularly: 1) the freedom to love and marry who I want without government intervention and 2) the freedom to fly. But #1 is to love and marry who I want, Tim Kaiser in my case.
It’s a freedom I didn’t even acknowledge needing for much of my life, as I concentrated on my passion for flying. I just didn’t want distractions. I denied this to myself for many years I can no more change my attraction than anyone else can.
Who I’m Grateful To
People fought and died to escape tyranny. All kinds of tyranny.
They built a country based on rights, “of the people and for the people.” They wrote a constitution to survive the usual conscriptions of power that saddled humanity for much of its history.
Amendments were added enshrining more freedoms: that religion should not be forced, nor allowed as a test to serve in government. They enshrined the right to arm ourselves, to freely express, and a bunch of other things that don’t exist in many other countries. They negated the concept of “owning” people. They specifically gave all powers not listed in the constitution to the states and the people.
It wasn’t just these laws, though, it was people being willing to fight and die for what they believed in. Hopefully we never forget the sacrifices our veterans have made, including those who survived, but will carry awful scars to their sometimes-early grave.
Iranians are a wonderful people in most regards, but in their country, and a number of others, they would be fine killing me because I’m gay.
I have a lot to be thankful for living in these United States.
I’m grateful to my fellow Americans for collectively accepting me, and others like me, the way I am. You did so by voting, and by your actions and laws to limit discrimination that would otherwise prevent me from enjoying some of the same freedoms.
Fortunate
The artwork above, by David Silva, captures my sentiment better than these words.
Thank you America. And Happy Independence Day!
