If you vote for Donald Trump, please decline our wedding invitation.
For many people, this election has been about private servers and grabbing privates. It’s become a debate over who is the least disliked, dishonest, and unfit. We’ve graded on a curve and determined that both candidates are equally flawed and that this isn’t a race between a Secretary of State with over 30 years of public service versus a reality TV host; it’s a choice between the broken Establishment and a radical Washington outsider. And it’s for these reasons, I believe, this race has become so close — diluted confidence that has left many voters undecided and unsure. It’s also why I don’t see any value in writing an article trying to convince you why Hillary Clinton is a better candidate, leader, and human being than Donald Trump. If you haven’t figured that out by now, you probably never will.
I’m writing to talk about the most important thing in this election that has received the least amount of attention: policy.
The Republican and Democratic parties have the most polarized platforms in modern politics. And both party leaders acknowledge it. I have many issues with the GOP’s platform. But there’s one issue I will make my issue. Our issue. And maybe your issue.
This is a picture of Rob and me with our dog Max. That’s our house in the background. We’re an interracial, same-sex couple. We’re also engaged.
I proposed to Rob less than two years ago, just months after the Supreme Court ruling to legalize same sex marriage. Rob said, “Do you think people will look at us differently because we’re interracial?” I laughed. “Or because we’re two dudes?”
Racism and homophobia still exist. We’re not naïve. But we believe in the progress of our country, the promise of equality, and a normal life. Today, that promise could be broken.
The 2016 GOP Platform states it will “repeal Obergefell v. Hodges,” denying same sex couples the right to be legally married.
We’re planning a wedding for next fall that may or may not happen based on the outcome of this election. How completely insane is that? As insane as telling a woman she no longer has the right to choose what she does with her body. As insane as tearing millions of immigrant families apart. As insane as waiting for another school to get shot up. As insane as reintroducing economic policies that caused one of the worst recessions in US history. What the hell are we doing?
I don’t believe everyone voting for Trump is a racist, homophobic, xenophobic, sexist bigot. I believe many of his supporters just don’t see or feel the real impact of his policies. And to those people, I am asking you to please look around at the millions of Americans who do — to look at the platform and understand that basic human rights, safety, and equality are at stake.
To our friends and family, if Hillary Clinton is elected president and Rob and I are still able to get married next year, and if you voted for Donald Trump, please don’t attend. I’d love to say it isn’t personal, but it is. And more than that, it’s principle. Do not come celebrate something the candidate and party you voted for condemn.
Whether Donald Trump becomes president or not, your vote and the policies you’re supporting will have real consequences that may effect you more than you think.
