Imagine seeing the redemption of the American dream from your home exchange apartment. How exciting to be part of a new chapter in history.
You haven't lost your chance. President-elect Obama will be sworn in on January 20, 2009 in a ceremony open to the public in Washington, DC. Home exchangers who want to connect with citizens in other places could do no better than being part of this momentous occasion.
As exciting as this election is in the story of America, my joy is tempered by sadness.
Florida, already a bastion of discrimination, passed an amendment to its state constitution banning any form of recognition for same-sex couples. Its cruel, over-reaching new law doesn't just ban gay couples from legal marriage, it states that no other rights may be given to such families through civil unions or domestic partnership.
Just before the election I received a very attractive swap offer from a Florida resident. This was my response:
"Thanks for the offer. Your home looks lovely and the location is great. Unfortunately, we were sickened to read of the cruel treatment of many same-sex couples in your area.
Recently, in Miami, a vacationer named Lisa Pond had a massive stroke. As she slipped into unconsciousness and died, untreated, at Jackson Memorial Hospital, her partner of 18 years and the couple's three children were barred from seeing her in her last few hours alive. The hospital staff cruelly told the family that they were in an "anti-gay city and state." and had no rights even though Lisa's partner Janice had the medical proxy forms proving she was Lisa's medical decision-maker.
Now Florida is voting on the cruel anti-gay Amendment 2 which bars all recognition and rights for same-sex families. Please contact us after Tuesday if Amendment 2 fails. If it passes, fair-minded people like us will simply be unable to set foot in Florida.
I'm sure you won't vote to make Florida a bastion of hatred and discrimination, and I am sorry that you will be affected if your state endorses bias."
It is important that we all understand that our votes matter. As home exchangers we can, and should, vote with our travel dollars to support communities that treat all their citizens fairly, and avoid destinations that enshrine bigotry in their laws. Here is the response I received from the Florida swapper:
"Thank you for the detailed response. I was not familiar with the Lisa Pond case, but your email caused me to research it.
Amendment 2 is one of those things that make me ashamed to be a Floridian, not to mention a human being. My youngest sister has been in a committed same-sex marriage for 14 years, and the idea that she would not be able to visit her spouse in the hospital, or that her son could not visit his "other mother," is sickening to say the least.
I certainly respect your feelings here and am glad that your email made me look farther into this. I truly wish I could say I don't think it will pass. Unfortunately, Florida is really two states -- the more urban, enlightened South Florida (although clearly there is intolerance and ignorance here as well, as evidenced by the Lisa Pond case) and the more conservative North. My prediction is that the South Florida counties will vote no on Amendment 2 but we will be outvoted by the North. If that happens, I have to think that our region, which includes Miami Beach and Key West and Fort Lauderdale, will do their utmost to distance themselves from this.
Intolerance is everywhere, unfortunately, and it can be disheartening sometimes to live in such a world. I hold onto the hope that goodness and fairness and justice prevail ultimately, and by living my life and teaching my children tolerance and respect I can help make up for the actions of others.
In any case, thanks again for provoking some thought on my part. Best wishes to you whereever you may go,"
What a thoughtful and compassionate response. Home exchangers are truly good-hearted people. Unfortunately, they may be negatively affected when the same cannot be said of their neighbors.
Boycott Florida.
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