Today was history. Today all the cynical conversation we had about our bigoted state gave way to justice and it was ruled that South Carolina's ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional.
I was shocked to wake up and read the news. I thought for sure I would hear news of this sort years and years from now when I was picking up some hypothetical children from school.
I made the rounds: a Facebook post with the link to the news story, a tweet, a text to mom and friends about 'someday' finally arriving. The day goes on. News about the Copper Beech killing, lunch of chicken fingers, some math homework, some online shopping and a weird feeling that nothing was different.
Of course, so much is different. While the wedding receptions decked out with excellent barbecue and southern charm under the palmetto moon are still months to come, the wheels have been set in motion for true marriage equality. A U.S. district judge's ruling holds more clout than the petty hate propagated by Governor Haley and the like.
As I perused the various articles and updates on the developments, it's Haley's comment made in October in regards to gay marriage that leaves me unsettled. "This administration will continue to uphold the will of the people," she said.
I fear that, despite the clarity of one judge and growing numbers nationwide, the people still possess a will to hate and discriminate against a group of people. Bigotry and ignorance aren't self-aware. That's why they hang around so long. Hate will not wash away easily with the ruling of a judge. It must be endured. We must hear the idiotic appeals and read the tacky bumper stickers.
The appeals will come. People will fight and thump their bibles on the backs of happy couples. Ridiculous arguments about the definition of marriage will spill out over the population. Like a cat without claws, they will paw helplessly at the legs of change like their out of date ideals will influence anyone.
But I know in my heart that we can endure, bisexual, gay, lesbian, transsexual and ally alike. We can do it because we have each other, for better or worse, for richer or poorer.