We can't predict the future.
We can read polls. We can listen to political commentators. We can talk up Obama's spine-chilling speeches and talk down about Sarah Palin's off-the-script wardrobe freak outs. We can watch campaign funds and follow endorsements and hold rallies and put up (or steal) lawn signs.
But ultimately, we don't know for sure what will happen on Tuesday when millions of Americans cast their votes for various proposals, ordinances, politicians and our next president.
We'll still be biting our nails, staring at the TV without blinking, calling our friends and refreshing Web sites for updates.
Between The Lines will be in the mix with all the Michigan voters, at your election viewing parties, sharing the joy of victories, or lamenting the losses.
We've spent the last month or so hammering politics into our reader's heads, and we hope you have enjoyed our coverage of local and national politics, local and national proposals and ordinances and our slew of endorsements in our Voter's Guide.
We urge you to take your BTL Voter's Guide to the polls, and to visit http://www.pridesourcevotes.com. We urge you to read up on this week's political stories, including articles in our news pages on Gary Peters, the Hamtramck human rights ordinance and Proposals 1 and 2 on medical marijuana and stem cell research.
But right now, first and foremost, we'll urge you all one last time to "Vote! Vote! Vote!"
We know citizens of Michigan and America are sick of hearing it, but if repeating ourselves ad nauseum will get one more person to the ballot, it's worth it.
This election marks not only a huge change in history for the LGBT community and the U.S. at large, but could also be – if all goes well – the end of our lamentations over the 2004 election. Finally, we may be able to move on from the culture wars that have put our community in the midst of the wedge issues that put our rights in the hands of votors for so long and actually move toward a more unified nation, both on LGBT issues and others.
This election is historic, both in the obvious ways and subtle ones that we may not fully realize for years. A black, pro-LGBT rights president. A huge victory in marriage equality. Fairness on the bench of the Michigan Supreme Court. The first-ever open lesbian in the House of Representatives. Equal treatment for all in Hamtramck. All of these things – and more – hang in the balance in this election.
And months or years down the line, who knows? The repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and the Defense of Marriage Act. The restoration of health benefits to all Michigan families. National laws against bullying in schools and discrimination in public sectors.
We can't predict with complete certainty what will happen on Nov. 4. But we can hope. So make sure to vote. You could be part of a serious shift in history.
