We Mustn't Lose the Faith.

Due to the recent decision by current Secretary of State and candidate for governor, Cathy Cox, concerning gay marriage and her support for a special session that would put it on the ballot, again, this November, some of my friends and once fellow supporters of Secretary Cox have decided that it would be in their best interests to not vote at all rather than vote for a candidate who is seemingly against them.

I can't disagree more. Although it is disappointing to hear that someone in whom we had faith and saw hope for a future of equal rights for all, has now, in the name of politics remind you, jumped on the bandwagon of anti-gay sentiment of those who we seek to remove from office, we can't allow this one decision to jeopardize the future betterment of our state.

This is tough, I know, but we have to put aside our hurt and vote for the candidate who has the most to bring to the gubernatorial table in '06. That person, my friends, is Cathy Cox. Cathy may believe that marriage should be for one man and one woman, but she also has a vision that would turn the current state of Georgia in the right direction. We don't have time to allow ourselves to become so offended by the game, that we refuse to play. It is, as we know, only by playing that we have any chance of winning at all.

Below is a copy of the email that I sent to Cathy concerning this situation.

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Dear Cathy,

I am writing to you as an EXTREMELY concerned Georgian and voter. As a result of your decision to support a special session to put the gay marriage amendment back onto the ballot in November, many fervent supporters are now rethinking their choice to vote and support you. Being gay myself, I must admit that it is a disappointing that you have decided to go this route, but I know that it’s politics. I don’t think that you abdicate inequality and the making of second class citizens through constitutional amendments, that’d break my heart. I understand the nature of the beast and that as a politician in Georgia and with the political climate of moral superiority that has and is sweeping our nation currently, that you can not come out “for” gay marriage or “against” an amendment opposing it, but I think that jumping on the bandwagon of those who seek to divide us might not have been in your best interests.

But I don’t come to lecture, I’m sure you’ve had enough of that. I attended the College Democrats conference in Athens earlier this year and had the pleasure of meeting you and hearing your plan for this state in person. I must say that I was very impressed by your candor and passion to make Georgia a better place. That is why I have been one of your strongest promoters here in my small town of Douglas, Ga. That’s not an easy task with Mark Taylor having such a strong base of support since he has ties to neighboring Alma. And now my job has gotten even more difficult. For now, even amongst my friends and once fellow supporters, I find myself having to rebuild faith and rekindle passion. My friends are hurt by your decision and are even talking about not voting. That is extremely disheartening to me because I know that you, despite this situation, are by far the most qualified and viable candidate and I want to keep my friends focused.

You have to understand that as gay men and women, especially being a college student – the future of the gay and lesbian movement of this state – we are always seeking to find that one politician who will unabashedly seek to validate us as people and fight for our rights. So to support a person only to find out that they have in essence “betrayed” us makes us feel like fools. It makes some think that you only care about their vote or their financial contributions and not them as a person, a citizen, a fellow Georgian. I know that’s not the case, but I don’t know how I am to convince others of that at this point.
You’re busy, this I know, but do you have any suggestions? I would greatly appreciate even the smallest response.

Thanks for your time and understanding,
Jake Jewell

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I know that's it stings to feel betrayed, but let's not sacrifice what we know to be best for us all for what we view as a personal vendetta. That's not in keeping with the character of the Democratic Party or that which sets us apart from those we oppose.

Take care.