Since we do not have to only define marriage and family politically, culturally, financially, symbolically by gender among heterosexual couples, but rather can defined by non-gender specific variables, such as who has the time to cook dinner and read to the kids, the exclusion of same-sex couples who do exactly the same thing fails the duck test.

Pride, much like the gay community in general, has changed considerably since its inception decades ago, shifting its tone, message, and underlying purpose as the times changed and the political and economic realities for gays and lesbians changed with it. For many it has been a welcomed change, for others, however, there is a feeling that Pride has lost its original mo-jo and instead been replaced with something very different than was ever intended.

The issue of gays serving openly in the military was once upon time at the height of the culture wars; however, over time attitudes changed, and the only hurdle that remained was the politics of it all. Initially gay and progressive voters seeking an end to the policy saw much hope in President Obama on the campaign trail, and believed him to the candidate that would push for the repeal of the policy once elected to the office. However, once in the White House the same level of enthusiasm and confidence transformed into skepticism and cynicism, as the administration seemingly tried to table the issue of repealing the policy in favor of other priorities.

In the wake of the HIV/AIDS epidemic many state legislatures rushed to pass legislation that would make it a felony or misdemeanor to transmit HIV to another individual, whether intentionally or not. Recently HIV transmission criminal cases, which are generally few and far between, have come under increasing scrutiny by HIV advocates, who suggest the various state laws that criminalize transmission only reinforce the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS and do little to actual curb transmission rates.

While the bill that will repeal the 1993 law commonly referred to as Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell has yet to make its way through the Congress, most observers believe that the issue has been settled and now we patiently wait for the sausage making process of passing legislation has its way. There is no doubt that there are still individuals who continue to fight what they consider the good fight and advocate for the law to stay in place, and even some who desire the Congress go back to the pre-1993 policy; however, for all intents and purposes even they acknowledge that they are beating a dying horse.

The resurgence in popularity of libertarian values within the modern conservative movement has unintentionally resulted in the marginalization of social-conservative issues within the conservative movement, particularly on issues related to gay and lesbian Americans. Not surprisingly many anti-gay conservatives are concerned their foot hold on the Republican Party and conservative movement is slipping.

The phrase “Gay is the New Black” has been around for a long time, but has recently gained greater popularity within and outside of the gay community as gay-rights activists take to the streets to protest of anti-gay legislation or in support for marriage-equality measures; and coordinate state-wide campaigns across the country. There is the unsettled debate over whether or not it was ever appropriate to refer to something as “the New Black”, in particular something such as gay-rights, an issue with which some prominent elements of the African-American community has not had the best of relationships.

It is not impossible to be both gay and have conservative beliefs and values, the two are not mutually exclusive; however, your average person cannot help but be confused as to how gay Republicans or conservatives can not only stand by but in many cases support a political party that does have their own interests at heart. It would be akin to National Organization of Women, NOW, supporting a political party that advocated a campaign to repeal the 19th Amendment.

The marginalization of gay people by mainstream society according to liberationists was a blessing in disguise and they embraced it. Liberationists would argue that it allowed the gay community to develop a unique identity, which they believe is now at risk of being condemned to history if the assimilationists ultimately get their way. And to some degree here liberationists may have a point. Much like the earliest Christians who had to develop their own means of communicating, networking, and gathering in secret in a pagan dominated world that sought to persecute them, gay men and women have seemingly always relied on their own unique language, symbols, gathering places, and stories to communicate with each other.

Senator-Elect Scott Brown’s victory in Massachusetts this week not only potentially puts President Obama’s effort to reform the nation’s health-care system on the chopping block, but also carries with it the possibility to derail any meaningful legislation targeted towards LGBT people for years down the road.