Lesson of hope from "Milk"

Just over a week ago I saw the new movie starring Sean Penn, "Milk."  For those who may not be familiar, it is the story of the first openly gay elected public official, Harvey Milk.

In the movie we experience Milk's attempts at running for office, until finally winning in 1977.  The film goes on to show the struggle that was California Proposition 6 in 1978, better known as The Briggs Initiative.

Prop 6 was an attempt, introduced by conservative state legislator John Briggs, to ban homosexuals and anyone who supported them from teaching or working in California's public schools.  The Briggs Initiative failed in California, but Oklahoma and Arkansas actually passed such measures prior to 1978.

The film roused within me myriad emotions.  Sadness, anger, confusion, excitement, empathy, and perhaps most the most prominent, hope.

California's Proposition 6 in 1978 was an awful thing, no discussion should be needed on that point.  As a former teacher, the thought of not being able to practice such an honorable profession because I'm gay is deeply distressing.  This is a profession that is starving for thoughtful, compassionate people to join its ranks, and to think that there were once individuals who believed gay people (or anyone who supported them) shouldn't be allowed to do so is frankly disgusting.

Enter: hope.  You see, I felt hope because I think you would be hard pressed to find people today who would even consider proposing such an initiative.  Well, perhaps with the exception of Michele Bachmann.  But the important thing to take from this is that progress has been achieved.  The view of homosexuality in the United States has come a long way since the days of Anita Bryant and John Briggs.  I'm certainly not suggesting that the journey to equality is complete or even close for that matter.  However, the finish line doesn't seem quite as far off as it once did.

So, in the words of Harvey Milk, "I'm here to recruit you."  Let us join together as one people, Americans, and finish this journey to ensure equality for all.  Many thought we would never be where we are today, let's show them that we can reach the finish line.