In my latest essay for Time Magazine’s IDEAS online, I write:
Sally Ride was the first American woman in outer space. Upon news of her death last week, media outlets and celebrities alike celebrated Ride as a hero. But under federal law, Ride’s domestic partner of 27 years will not receive death benefits or Social Security payments. Is that any way to treat a hero?
Even though the majority of Americans now support the right of same-sex couples to marry and more states are embracing marriage equality, 1,138 federal benefits including Social Security and family medical leave are still denied to same-sex couples even if they’re married because of the Defense of Marriage Act enacted in 1996. And while 60% of Fortune 500 companies offer domestic partnership benefits to employees— so unmarried same or opposite-sex partners qualify for health insurance, paid family leave and more — the federal government does not.
You can read the entire piece here, get outraged, and share it.
I swear, I didn’t know this was being transcribed word for word or I would have been more succinct. And dropped words like “Hegelian”. Sheesh…
Check out this long but worth it interview with me on AfterEllen, the lesbian and bisexual women’s culture and entertainment website.
AE: Do you have a favorite show to appear on?
SK: Oh, whose feelings am I going to hurt? [Laughs] You know what? I have to say – and I’m not going to name names on the progressive side – but I will just say that people have these ideas and part of is it that I think the more that we can break down our ideas of each other. Look, I am devastated to see the level of political discourse in general in this country lowered. And the name-calling and the nastiness, and the hate mail, and the vitriol on Twitter, and everybody gets it, left, right, and center. And as a queer woman, you really get it. And it’s disgusting. The more we can see each other as human, it doesn’t erase the political differences, but at least we can be civil. At least we can talk about what we disagree with and learn from each other and understand where the disagreements are, as opposed to just being reduced to the most base elements. I challenge people on all sides. I think we can all do a better job of reaching toward that goal and finding the positives in those we often resort to considering our enemies.
So let me just say that, in that sense, what people are always shocked to hear, Ali, is that Sean Hannity is one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. Sean Hannity is one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. I mean, he has — we don’t agree, but he’s a sweetheart. I think that Bill O’Reilly is one of the smartest people I’ve ever talked to. I have so much fun on Megyn Kelly’s set. I don’t think there’s been a single appearance I’ve done on her show that hasn’t begun before the cameras are rolling with one or both of us singing for some reason. You know, some of my Fox colleagues — I could go on and on and on. They’re thoughtful, kind people. They’re people. You know, just because you don’t agree with every single thing that every single person thinks doesn’t mean you have to… I think we can find that and celebrate that.
You can read the full interview here.
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