Drew: YES WE DID!!!

Barack Obama won and the whole world is celebrating!

From a small tv in the lobby of the residence, the three of us have been glued to CNN International for several hours. The scenes of excitement and celebration are chilling to watch as it would seem as though America herself emerged triumphant from a long struggle.

And how about that acceptance speech?! Inspirational and empowering, to say the least!

However, in light of such a brilliant victory for our nation, there were unfortunately setbacks in the struggle for equality and dignity for all.

While I thought it had been removed from the ballot, Arkansas widely passed a ban on unmarried couples adopting children. Mainly affecting homosexuals, this initiative clearly holds the interests of self-righteous, right-wing prudes OVER the health and security of children within the foster care system. This measure brings shame not only to the state, but to this nation which claims to want the best for future generations.

Florida and Arizona both passed amendments to their state constitutions defining marriage as between one man and one woman. It would seem as though people still ignorantly think that they go to the courthouse and obtain a marriage license from God, rather than participating in a civil contract that aims solely to provide security and reduce eventual dependence on the government.

And in California, where nearly twenty thousand gay and lesbian couples have wed in recent months, voters actually enshrined into their state constitution something that REMOVES rights from its citizens. Aren't constitutions supposed to protect people? Seems like they are playing with fire.

So election night had its ups and downs. I'm thrilled that Obama was chosen in landslide victory, but the coattails of his message of hope, change, and equality were not long enough to combat this era's civil rights abuses.