So Just How Far HAVE We Come?

Frank Rich's Op-Ed in this morning's New York Times looks at how far we have come in racial equality in this country. Only a handful of generations from a time when blacks lived in slavery, we stand on the threshold of electing a black president. Amazing and wonderful indeed.

That progress made me reflect on what it's like to be a member of the sole remaining minority subject to institutionalized persecution and marginalization in the U.S. In achieving this remarkable milestone in racial equality, Barack Obama openly expressed his official position that gays and lesbians should continue to be less than equal citizens, denied the right to marry.

I responded to Rich's column by submitting the following reader comment:

(Update: From over 550 reader comments on this Op-ed (so far), mine was chosen as one of only 11 "Editors' Selections" by which "NYTimes editors aim to highlight the most interesting and thoughtful comments that represent a range of views." You can see it published in the Times here.)

I will be thrilled if Barack Obama does indeed win on Tuesday. It is a testament to how far this country has come on race. Unfortunately, it is also a testament to how far we have yet to go on another form of bigotry: homophobia.

It is sad that Obama had no choice but to openly renounce same-sex marriage. Gay rights have so far to go in the U.S. that any serious candidate for president must not only be heterosexual, but must specifically avoid expressing support for full equality for gay citizens.

I do not envision living to see an openly gay president elected (I am 50), but I would be satisfied to see the day when a candidate who openly supports same-sex marriage will not be committing political suicide by doing so.

The strides that blacks continue to make have been led in large part by the actions of our leaders, sending a powerful message that racial equality is not simply a matter of toleration and acceptance, but mandated by our government through the force of law.

We are watching helplessly as our fellow citizens hold our fates and lives literally in their hands though their votes on issues like Prop 8 in California. Only when our leaders make clear by example that the "F" word for gays is as horrific as the "N" word for blacks (and it is) will we have the opportunity to be equals in our own country.