A Difficult Choice
I have long been debating whether I should live in a state that votes 3 to 1 to codify anti-gay bigotry into mainstream law, or whether I should live in a state that defeats every single one of its Republican governor's politically pandering ballot initiatives. Well, that debate is over. Actually, last night's election had nothing to do with my decision to leave Austin and move to Los Angeles, which was made months ago, but I certainly feel glad about my decision today.
I've enjoyed my three years in Austin very much, and have met some wonderful people who have been very good friends, not just to me, but to my entire family. The generosity, humor, and overall rock-n-roll attitude of this place cannot be overstated. The state of Texas is another story.
Texas is largely misunderstood by the rest of the country. It's far more cosmpolitan, well-educated, and sophisticated than people might think, given the corrupt religious hypocrites it's sent onto the national stage in recent years. But because of those hypocrites, if anyone is going to fully audition the radical right's loony social agenda, it will be the government of this state. Today, someone said to me, "at least you don't live in Kansas." True enough. But who's to say that in 10 years, when my son is preparing to enter high school, the schools here won't be teaching "intelligent design" as well? I'm not taking that risk with my family.
Again, though, I'm not leaving town for political reasons. But if I were, I don't know if I'd be unjustified. So it's off to Los Angeles for me. Nothing could possibly go wrong with my life now.