In the spirit of Internet memes, Democrats in the U.S. Senate should make their own: “Backs gay marriage…doesn’t run for re-election.”

On March 27, North Carolina’s U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan became the first sitting senator from this state to endorse marriage equality. It was a historic move that broke years of mostly negative opposition on the issue from other North Carolina candidates.

Folks looking for signs that rational behavior and common sense might be slowly creeping back into the national political discussion must be at least a little encouraged these days.

Last week former Democratic presidential candidate, George McGovern, passed away at age 90. If he was at all cognizant during the Democratic National Convention this year he would have seen a convention somewhat reminiscent of his own in 1972.

I am an out and proud Christian. I am a fiscal conservative. I am also a lesbian, so let me just say how psychologically damaging it is to be told by complete strangers that what you do in the privacy of your own home is unnatural, you’re sick in the head, that the right man hasn’t given it to you the right way, that you’re going to hell, that you need to be fixed, that you’re probably a pedophile, that you are destroying the institution of marriage or that you are bringing the wrath of God upon your country. This is what the Republican Party does and these are the ideas it supports.

As of September 20, 2011, the discriminatory law known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ceased to exist. No longer will patriotic gay and lesbian Americans need to hide who they are in order to serve the country they love.

Darryn entered the foster care system as an abused and frightened child. By the time he was 16, he was struggling with new fears and painful misconceptions about his sexual orientation. Fortunately, his foster mother treated him with unconditional love, creating an environment in which he could heal and feel free to explore his identity. The sense of self that his foster mother nurtured in him through her warmth and respect helped him emerge a strong, confident adult. Darryn’s experience shows how a foster family can change a life.