LGBT Patriots
Commendable Americans Kiva Wilson, Sen. Adam Ebbin and Spc. Kushaba Moses Mworeko
Patriotism is a delicate expression. Too much, and you might easily veer into jingoism. Too little, and the pioneering American experiment – the 1776 launch of which we mark July 4 – loses all its promise.
Michelle Obama expressed her patriotism on the 2008 campaign trail by sharing, ”For the first time in my adult lifetime, I’m really proud of my country, because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback,” and plenty of Americans were touched by her sentiment. Then again, Bill O’Reilly took to the Fox News Channel airwaves to counter, ”… [M]ost Americans are proud of their country and don’t like it see it run down in any way. … I don’t believe Michelle Obama dislikes her country. I sincerely hope she does not, but this is a big deal. It is not going away.”
Americans do not share universal ideas about love of country.
Take the famous lines by Stephen Decatur: ”Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right; but right or wrong, our country!” Even when boiled down to the concise, ”My country, right or wrong,” the phrase might lose some popularity if those spouting it knew that the early 19th century Navy hero was arguably gay.
However you define patriotism, we think Kiva Wilson, Sen. Adam Ebbin and Spc. Kushaba Moses Mworeko are shining examples of a commendable American sort of it, LGBT or otherwise, and we hope you’ll join Metro Weekly in saluting them this July Fourth.
- Adam Ebbin: A Leading Legislator
- Spc. Kushaba Moses Mworeko: From Asylum to American
- Kiva Wilson: The Peaceful Patriot
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
