Surfing through the morning programs is really sad.

[Hatchling]

Today, of course, is Valentine's Day and all of the programs are doing V-Day segments. They are showing newly married couples, married couples who have kept their love fresh and alive for decades, and advice for dating couples who are getting engaged to be married. All of the couples are hetero.

Married. Something that is not allowed for us. So this entire day is a slap in the face to our community.

I am just so saddened. And angry.

[Newsjock]

1. If it'll make you feel any better ...

This morning's San Francisco Chronicle has the obligatory Valentine's Day story on its front page, but it's about same-gender dating services.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2008/02/14/MNUKV1KH5.DTL
http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/hr.asp?fpVname=CA_sfc&ref_pge=map&tfp_map=USA

[pbca]

2. Stop by anytime

There is a free country just north of you

[Tyo]

4. Thanks

Believe me, we know. And we're counting on you guys to keep it that way. Look south long and often and don't ever become what you see down here.

[pbca]

5. I'm a dual citizen

But was never really an 'American' at heart I don't think. If I'd made a list of everthing I admired and took pride in in the states, and a list of everything I was ashamed of in the states - Canada has 95% of the first list and 5% of the second. Right now we have Harper, who is conservative but if you compare policy by policy he is closer to Clinton than Bush.

There is almost no chance of Canada reversing itself on Same Sex Marriage, abortion is not really an issue here, the death pentalty is unthinkable (we won't even deport someone to a country where they might face the death penalty), the list goes on and on and believe me, people here look south daily

I happen to be a heterosexual but I strongly recommend that you come up to Toronto for pride (basically a week long party in May) and if you want to get married you can (you don't have to be a citizen).

[Tyo]

6. Toronto is on our list

Would love to go there. Partner has been before but not me. As it is though we spend so much time (and money) in Vancouver we ought to be given at least honorary citizenship. B-)

[Not Me]

8. I bought a condo there last summer.

I am going to rent it out for 8-10 years until we retire. Then it will become home.

[hulklogan]

9. I second the recommendation for Toronto

I lived there for three years and I miss it every day.

[meegbear]

7. Or Massachusetts ...

thank you very bloody much.

[Warpy]

3. However, those of us who are the old boomers

remember a time when everything in the GLB community was way underground, and a T community was science fiction. At least in the cities, you're allowed to have clubs and bars and parties and enough people in the larger community who respect you for who you are to make life a lot more tolerable. Plus, you don't have cops following you and a lover around, ready to arrest you should your hands brush against each other as you're walking down the street, something that happened to men they found "swish" or women they found "butch." Those laws are finally so toothless they don't bother.

The world has gotten better for you in the time I've been alive, probably because so many people my age took a look at it and its silly prejudices and simply refused to play along.

Yes, there's a long way to go before prejudice finally dies and civil rights are extended to us all. However, you've already come a long way. There is something to celebrate today. It's not everything, but it's still something. Next year, everything.