The Employment Non-Discrimination Act and “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” are being debated in Congress as gay marriage is being argued nationwide. President Obama recently addressed the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) National Dinner on the eve of the National Equality March; and the LGBT community finds itself at center stage of the civil rights movement, at last.

The problem: we are neither equipped nor organized to fight at this level, because we are unwilling to grow up, be responsible, and hear the real concerns of our opponents.

"I thank you for the wonderful life you've given me and my family. Oh my goodness, what a time we've had. Who knew you could get so rich by telling a few dirty jokes and saying fuck a couple of times!" - Bette Midler muses on the secret of her long, successful career. Trust me, Bette - if that's all it took, Bob Saget would be a national treasure!

I am an emotional shopper.

Having recently gone through the break-up of a 4-1/2 year relationship, which continues to be followed by silly crushes (big and small, all of which cause a roller-coaster of emotions) I find myself getting urges to go to the mall. All of the shiny new things and hip clothes make me happy. I enjoy looking at them, pretending that I can buy them all, and finally settling on the few items that are within my budget. My emotions are usually bigger than my budget.

For the second time in my life I went to the infamous Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco. My traveling companions for the trip were three couples- so I was expected to be the slutty one. I knew the weekend would be filled with chaps, jockstraps and leather harnesses and I had to ask myself if we would end up seeing more of each other than we had ever bargained for. The right wing is so fond of making fun of San Francisco values it got me to thinking, on weekends like this are we really liberated or a liability?

I know my straight friends never have to deal with things like this.