The most recent massacre, the one at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, took the lives of 6- and 7-year-olds. It has shaken our nation to its core.

The enormity of this devastation is incalculable. There are the small coffins of the victims killed during a holiday season at a tender age. It is also the death of the safety of a Norman Rockwellian. We now know that none are safe.

Here in the United States of America we are supposed to have Freedom of Religion. But I ask you: How can we have freedom of religion without having freedom from religion? How can you have the freedom to practice your personal religious beliefs if you must adhere to governmental laws that are based on the beliefs of any one religion?

The whole Christmas, Virgin Mary, Baby Jesus, Three Wise Men, no room at the inn, manger in a stable, star in the East thing is all about the Christians. This is their tale, their “shining star,” so to speak.

My partner Susan asked me this morning what I thought about the U.S. Supreme Court hearing the DOMA and Prop 8 cases. I just shrugged and said: “I’ll wait until they rule.”

For me to even say anything about what I believe will happen would just be pure speculation. Who even knows what lies in the minds of these Supreme Court justices? It is, after all, the Supreme Court and we all know that in some cases they aren’t doling out any sort of justice.

I read an article this week that asked the question: “When did you know you weren’t straight?”

For as long as I can remember – that’s how long I knew I wasn’t straight. Now – if you were to ask me when did I finally admit it and start living openly as a lesbian? Well now – that would be the age of 50 – ten years ago.