Ray DeForest: Gidget Goes Hawaiian

By Ray DeForest, TTP: When I was a kid I used to love watching all those fab “Gidget” movies. I wanted to learn to surf, have parties on the beach and dance to my favorite tunes surrounded by friends. Oh wait, I pretty much do that these days! Anyway, I did long for those fun filled days in the surf. I also loved the TV show starring Sally Field, “Wait’ll you meet my Gidget, you’ll want her for your valentine…”. I never missed an episode. My number one favorite of the movies was “Gidget Goes Hawaiian”. Hawaii seemed so far away and so filled with wonder…and honeymooners! It seemed that young couples in love would fill the beaches sipping exotic drinks decorated with fruit and an umbrella. (yeah, I know, I do that now as well!) I thought to myself, I want to go there on my honeymoon! I want to sit on those groovy beaches, with the person I love and celebrate that we are married.

I actually just returned from a vacation to Hawaii with my partner. He had never been and I showed him the islands that I have been to many times and loved. He marveled, as I have, at the beauty and wonder. We sat at a restaurant on Waikiki beach that was decorated “retro Hawaiian” and we both thought it was too cool for words! I was Gidget, of course, and he was my Moondoggie! We were surrounded by honeymooners at every turn, sharing their new bond in life. We talked about sharing our love in a ceremony, like these “mooners” just had, and that we hoped New York would be the next state, our state, to pass the gay marriage act.

Well, New York just decided I wasn’t equal to those “mooners” and I would have to go elsewhere to celebrate my love for my partner. It makes me sad.

Sen. Ruben Diaz, a conservative minister from the Bronx said, "If you put this issue before the voters, the voters will reject it, let the people decide." I’m confused. A Marist College poll released Wednesday showed 51 percent of New Yorkers support legalizing gay marriage. So if the legislators are saying let the people decide, we should be allowed to marry!!! Can someone help me understand these people and how they make decisions? Politics! Honestly, for any one reading this that doesn’t understand gay people in the world, it’s really pretty simple. Didn’t you watch “Gidget” like me? Didn’t you also want to surf and be with your friends having a good old-fashioned beach party like me? Didn’t you swoon a little when Gidget finally realized that Moondoggie was her real boyfriend too? You did? Well see there, we are truly so much alike. We all want the same thing. Equality for all. Not so difficult!

So I sit in front of my TV and pop in my copy of “Gidget Goes Hawaiian” and watch for the umpteenth time. I sip a Cosmo decorated with fruit and an umbrella, and I wonder if Sen. Rubin Diaz has ever seen any Gidget movies? Maybe he should, he might lighten up a bit! I guess I still have my dream.

Hugs and Love.