The promise of America grounded in the Constitution, contained in our Pledge of Allegiance, inscribed on the Statue of Liberty and enunciated by generations of our nation’s leaders is that America stands for liberty, for justice, for equality for all. This has been America’s Pride.

To honor all servicemembers without regard to their sexual orientation is commendable, to pursue the United States’ value of equality is honorable, and to support those actions is genuinely American.

My daughter is dying.

“Oh, oh, I’m so sorry!” You are stunned. You clutch your heart.

Of course you are sorry, but my daughter is dying.

“How terribly sad for you,” and you fall silent, uncertain what to say.

But it’s more than sad. My daughter is dying a slow and frightening death.

“Oh, dear,” you comfort, “that is so tragic.” And you thank your god it’s not your child.

But it’s worse than tragic, even worse than that. My daughter is so young, so beautiful, and she is slowly dying before my eyes.

This weekend is Gay Pride in San Diego. I was (considering) not going to the festivities this year, thinking that it's going to be the "same old thing." However, Wednesday evening, my partner Patrick D. Riedling and I experienced a very disappointing situation that left me wondering ...

I’ve been thinking quite a bit about Harvey Milk, and what he said.

“The only thing they have to look forward to is hope. And you have to give them hope.”

I’ve been thinking about it, because some in San Diego’s LGBT community plan to turn their backs on Carl DeMaio’s contingent in Saturday’s Pride parade. I think this is misguided.

We choose what we want to cultivate. Look forward, chin up, smile; say, “yes,” and say, “love.” You will cultivate hope and good things and progress.

Turn your back, cast your eyes away, and shake your head. You will cultivate nothing.