What we have won in regards to rights

I had a very interesting experience tonight that made me reflect on where the world has come.  I went out tonight with my two roommates for frozen custard.  Okay now before you get all high and mights the frozen custard is not the great realization I had come to.  Let me give you a little background on our little household configuration.  I am a Hispanic single gay man in my forty's.  My one roommate is a straight white male engaged to be married in his twenties.  The last roommate is an African-American female divorced from a man and a lesbian.   Oh and there are two dogs both 3 years old in they house as well.

Now at first glance the reaction from some would be oh so what no big deal.  But look at where we have come by looking where we have been.  Prior to the 60's and the civil rights movement my male roommate and I riding in a car with an African-American woman would have drawn some less than kind comments.  She would not have been able to order with us and would have been told to use a different  counter.  As a Hispanic man I would have gotten less that great service as well. Our White roommate would have been served and only would have received comments about being with non-white people. 

Prior to the Stonewall riots of New York both my lesbian roommate and I would have been fearful of being arrested or even beaten for our sexual preference.  Because of some brave drag queens at the Stonewall bar in New York do we have the ability to be open about who we are.  Now that is not to say that it is safe to be open about our sexuality.  In some parts of this country there are some who feel it is okay to beat up a gay man or a lesbian woman.  There are places in this world where some feel it is right to keep rights away from men and women because of their sexuality.  June traditionally is the month when communities across the country and around the world celebrate gay pride.  It is not just a time to party, which can be lots of fun, but a time to celebrate the rights we have won thus far.  It is also a time to reflect and see what fights are ahead of all of use. 

We as a society have come a long way in securing rights for human beings in this country and other places.  However, we still have a long ways to go.  I am glad that events in the past have lead to a time I can have the roommates and friends I have of different colors, ethnic backgrounds, and sexual identity.  I am a far richer person and hopefully it helps me make a difference in this great world of ours.