What Truly Defines Me: We the People

On this path to Equality for all americans, it appears safe to ask the question, "Are you Gay or a Gay American first"? I am neither...first. I am an American first. Before we begin discussing how others can be more fair to the GLBT community, we might need to ensure we are being true to our american pledge as well.

We want secured borders, safe schools and places of employment, as well as freedoms to speak, worship and to protest. That's not to limit all of the things in between, but for one moment, should we burn the flag of that which offers us so much that others would spill their blood to have?

Just as equality came to women,President Woodrow Wilson in 1920, urged Congress to pass what became the 19 Amendment which prohibited state and federal agencies from gender-based restrictions on voting,the american process should not be ignored to move the political agenda in our direction.

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the 15th Amendment eliminating skin color from voting elibility, therefore awarding people of color their voice in 1964.

Today, President Obama raises two daughters that look just like mine in the White House and could very well be the president who give me and the rest of the GLBT a voice...even within our american-ism. Today my daughters are not "female americans" nor do I consider myself an "African American"...I am an American. And after this equality battle is over, I will still be just an american.

The Father of daughters who have a voice thanks to the Womens Sufferage Movement; I am of african descent, yet with a strong voice within the electoral college thanks to Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement; I am Gay...and speaking Out-loud in the Gay Rights/Equality Movement!

German chancellor Angela Merkel, who was reelected on Sunday, is expected to name out politician Guido Westerwelle as vice chancellor and foreign minister in her new administration, reports The New York Times. Let's get this right; a gay "Vice President"? Well, way to go Germany!

Westerwelle, 47, is the leader of the pro-business Free Democrats, which captured 14.6% of the vote on Sunday, posting the most significant gain of any political party. Merkel met with Westerwelle on Monday allegedly to negotiate the formation of a new center-right government that would partner the Free Democrats with Merkel’s Christian Democrats.Westerwelle has been out about his sexual orientation since 2004, when he took his partner, Michael Mronz, to Merkel’s 50th birthday celebration.

Mronz, an event manager, met Westerwelle in 2003, according to the German newspaper Bild.Westerwelle believes that Germany is becoming more accepting of gays and lesbians and hopes that the younger generation recognizes the progress. "I can only tell all young gays and lesbians to not be disheartened if not everything goes their way," Westerwelle told the Berlin gay magazine Siegessaeule.

"This society is changing for the good in the direction of tolerance and respect ... though slower than I would wish."Merkel expects the negotiations to move quickly and wants the new government formed by November 9, the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.