A historic moment falls a little flat.
I want to begin by calling out a resounding "YES WE CAN!!!" Whatever their political affiliation, I think most everyone can agree that the election of Barack Obama to the Presidency of the United States is a testament to what a great nation we truly are. I'm overjoyed with the success of Obama and his democratic colleagues, and I heartily congratulate them. It's a wonderful day for civil rights.
Well, for some civil rights, for some people.
There's a large contingency of Americans who continue to pick on gay people. It isn't so cool anymore to roam the West Village with baseball bats looking for gay guys to attack, so now they're seeking legislation. For some reason, otherwise free thinking persons in California, Arizona, Florida and Arkansas are listening to the war cry of homophobia. What are these people afraid of? That if same sex marriage is allowed straight men will suddenly turn into raving drag queens? That suburban housewives will run to their local beauty salons demanding their hair be cut into mullets? How exactly would same sex marriage affect the personal lives of straight Americans? Gays and lesbians are already dating, living together, having and adopting children, and enjoying commitment ceremonies. How does giving them a license from the government to do what they're already doing change anything substantive for anyone else? The answer is: It doesn't. Some straight people just don't like the idea of it. They think the abstract existence of the right to same sex marriage somehow demeans heterosexual marriage, and their best argument so far is: "Er, marriage is between a man and a woman." Bravo. Well mounted rebuttal.
Well, for some civil rights, for some people.
There's a large contingency of Americans who continue to pick on gay people. It isn't so cool anymore to roam the West Village with baseball bats looking for gay guys to attack, so now they're seeking legislation. For some reason, otherwise free thinking persons in California, Arizona, Florida and Arkansas are listening to the war cry of homophobia. What are these people afraid of? That if same sex marriage is allowed straight men will suddenly turn into raving drag queens? That suburban housewives will run to their local beauty salons demanding their hair be cut into mullets? How exactly would same sex marriage affect the personal lives of straight Americans? Gays and lesbians are already dating, living together, having and adopting children, and enjoying commitment ceremonies. How does giving them a license from the government to do what they're already doing change anything substantive for anyone else? The answer is: It doesn't. Some straight people just don't like the idea of it. They think the abstract existence of the right to same sex marriage somehow demeans heterosexual marriage, and their best argument so far is: "Er, marriage is between a man and a woman." Bravo. Well mounted rebuttal.
I submit that the opposite is true. My marriage to my ubercool husband is greatly demeaned by these homophobes using marriage as another gay bashing tool. Until anyone in America can marry whoever they want, marriage in America is an instrument of oppression.
And to those who are willing to limit the rights of other people simply because they make you feel a little uncomfortable, I say this: Mind your own business.
posted by Amy at 9:03 AM
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