Happy Paper Anniversary!

Today's the 1st anniversary of a remarkable thing -- the Commonwealth of Massachusetts granting marriage rights to same-sex couples. So to all the old married folks celebrating today and over the next few months, I say mnohaja lita - many years!

Andrew Sullivan, longtime champion of the institution of marriage for gay couples, posted the following today:

A MOMENT TO CELEBRATE: Today is the first anniversary of the full civil liberation of gay citizens in one state in the United States. I'm celebrating. I do not believe for a second that we are going to lose this battle, because I deeply believe in the truth and justice of the cause of equality, and I believe that, in America, that cause always wins in the end. Setbacks are inevitable. But the progress we have made is astonishing by any historical standard:

Above all, we have changed consciousness. In civil rights movements, that's what matters and that's what endures. People forget that two decades ago, homosexuality meant simply sex for most Americans - and unsavory sex at that. Or it meant counter-cultural revolution. Or left-wing victim politics. By fighting the marriage fight, we changed the terms of that debate. We co-opted the language of our enemies - the language of family, love, responsibility, commitment. We did this not simply because it helps us win over the middle of American politics. But because it's actually reflective of the reality of many of our lives ... The next generation will grow up - gay and straight - fully aware of the existence of marriage as an option for gay couples, even if that option is in another state or another country. That will deeply and subtly change social expectations for gay men and women; it will alter sex and dating; it will counter some of the homophobia and low self-esteem that strangles some gay youth. It will tell the next generation of homosexuals: you have a future. That future is one of love and commitment and social integration. It is not assured. But it is conceivable.

Time to thank all those people - gay and especially straight - who have had the courage to support us, and to see that, in America, equality, fairness and human dignity is everyone's business.