When Pastor Rick Warren steps up to the microphone to deliver the invocation at Barack Obama's inauguration as the 44th President of the United States, the world's television cameras will pan the surrounding dignitaries--Senators, members of Congress, diplomats--then they'll focus on the faces of the crowd, millions of Americans crammed together in the winter cold, straining to witness this historic event.
Here's what they'll see: pinned to the lapels of the overcoats of every man, woman and child that is willing to wear one will be a small white ribbon, tied into the shape of a knot. One, after another, after another, after another, these white knots will bear silent but eloquent testimony to a future America where marriage equality is a reality. These white knots will represent hope, just as Barack Obama does.
The White Knot is the brilliant brainchild of Frank Voci, who I interviewed several weeks ago here on my Air America Radio program, "Politically Direct." At the time, I thought the notion of displaying a small symbol of support for marriage equality was the ideal reaction to the horrific passage of Proposition 8 in California. I suggested to Frank that the Obama inauguration would be an excellent opportunity for a quiet affirmation that was non-political, yet visually--and numerically--effective. It seemed like the perfect day to demonstrate support for for a new beginning in America.
