91 years young and ready for marriage equality

      Saturday morning I was one of 14 canvassers walking the streets of Saco, Maine.  I was grateful for the sunshine and warm weather because to be honest, there is nothing better than getting a tan while protecting marriage equality.  After knocking on a few doors I became slightly discouraged because I realized that maybe more Mainers were out enjoying the sunshine just as I was.  Didn’t they know that they could enjoy the sunshine from their front yard?? I mean, really – they could have left to go run amok outdoors after I had talked to them about marriage equality!

      Anyhow, I walked up to this house and I noticed that there was mail clipped to the mailbox and I immediately thought, Yes! Good indicator that someone might be home!  I knocked on the door.  I heard a faint, “come in!” over the tv that was blasting – and I looked inside the house and saw an older woman sitting on a chair.  Immediately the nerves took over.  Although I have canvassed before and have had many conversations about marriage equality – for me, there is something about talking about LGBT issues with older people that just intimidates the heck out of me. 

      I opened the screen door but remained on the porch and introduced myself.  I went through the script like I had been trained to do and when I asked her, “Do you support marriage for same-sex couples?”  I did not get an immediate response.  In fact, her response came what seemed to be an eternity later and she said, “I just don’t understand what all this rubbish is!” In my head I prepared myself for what she might say, but before I could even start on the talking points she said, “They’re not any different than anyone else! Everyone should just leave them alone and let them get married!”  Quickly I realized that she might have thought I was with the opposition and I replied, “I fully agree with you” and than asked her if I could fill out the pledge card to vote NO in November for her.   I received a very hearty “Absolutely!”

      The most touching part of my time with her was when she shared her age (91 years young) and specifically told me, “history, as I’ve lived it, has a habit of repeating itself.  When I was born, women couldn’t vote, now look at us!  I think the things that have changed have been an improvement –  and let me tell you this, every time a little bit of change is among us – all the yahoos tell us the world is going to end and it’s going to ruin life on earth as we know it!  And guess what? The day is still greeting these old bones of mine.” When she told me she was worried that she might not be able to make it to the polls because she doesn’t drive anymore, I assured her that we would find a driver to take her to the polls on November 3rd. 

      Starting the day off I thought getting a tan and identifying a couple of supporters was going to be my bonus of the day, but truly the real gem was her.  If I could, I would drive her to the polls myself.