It seems to me, in this day and age of political manipulation of civil rights, the American laymen, the "regular Joes and Jane Doe's," have far too many victories. I'll stay away from the touchy political spot that is the "war on terror" - that's for another day. Today, something much closer to home.
In New Jersey, the Supreme Court passed down a ruling requiring the state to form some semblance of an equal opportunity for homosexual couples to marry, or otherwise enter into a civil union, with rights equal to a hetero marriage. I applaud this as a victory, as I feel that homosexuality has been a part of humanity for far too long to be ignored. It can be debated whether homosexuality is a learned orientation or innate, but I choose to believe it is usually the latter, with exceptions to the former. It can also be debated that being gay itself is morally or ethically wrong, and it would have as much place as a debate over Republican vs. Democrat. Whether we like it or not, homosexuality will continue to exist as long as there are humans on this green and blue ball of mud.
As a people, we in America have at times devoutly attempted to disavow any knowledge of the gay culture, and at times we have embraced them - but as a societal model, we are far behind the curve. In virtually every other civilized culture I have had the opportunity to experience, no one has been judged by their orientation for decades... In some cases, centuries. We can point to Ellen Degeneres and say, "see? We accepted her without a problem," when, in fact, we didn't. I remember the inane conversations that went on during that time - with semantic plays on her name - as if her name was why she is gay. It is a common human trait to demean what we don't like, or in some cases understand. As an individual, I don't want everyone to like gay people. In fact, all I want from society (with respect to this topic) is for the individuals of America to accept that they're not going away. We can point to sitcoms that showcase the stereotypical, effeminite gay male, or the butch lesbian, but the former governor of New Jersey is only "officially" coming out after the ruling from the SUpreme Court. This is a person the people elected... Would they have elected him had they known (before the scandal) of his personal lifestyle? Somehow, I doubt it.
As a part of a local (Virginia) car club, I have the misfortune of seeing a post by the group's moderator and webmaster pushing the members of the club to "make sure to get out and vote for a consitutional ban against this."
I don't know why it pains me as much as it does - perhaps because I'd like to think I associate with people who share my views, or at least have the capacity to accept and respect the differences in people. As it turns out, apparently, that is not the case, and I am disappointed in myself, as well as the society that would not only listen to a bigot such as this person, but even to applaud him. Open-mindedness is a trait I value highly in people, both because of my own alternative lifestyle, and somehow I get the impression that this fascist "moral right" is devoid of morals, or rights, except as they apply them to their own. It is up to us, as individuals, to do what we can to end the ridiculous separation of love in our society. It is hard enough to find love, regardless of your orientation, without restrictions that are unfairly biased towards those who conform.
To that end, I'm venting, and I'd love to hear some people say I'm not shouting in the fog about this. For clarification, I'm not gay, nor bi, though it's been in question before - I can honestly say I'm hetero because I've experimented to satisfy those questions about myself. If you live in a district where this vote is coming soon, and you're of age to vote, all I ask of you is to look inside yourself and see if you can deny a basic right to a couple that has just as much a chance of success as the stereotypical nuclear family. They don't want anything more than the rights given to any couple that means to committ themselves to one another, hopefully for years to come.
While I'm thinking about it, one more point to add... If you live in Virginia, and are of legal age and registration to vote, think long and hard about this. When you compare, in your mind, the difference between right and wrong, think about it this way - you're trying to keep people from the rights when you vote for this ban. The people who want to ban same-sex marriage are the same ones who would control the world from the grave - by the time many of you come to understand the implications of not voting, it may be too late to give people something that should never have been refused. Banning something has inevitably making the movement more powerful, moreso when the movement is morally right - when you vote to deny someone his or her rights, you have proven yourself morally corrupt.
In New Jersey, the Supreme Court passed down a ruling requiring the state to form some semblance of an equal opportunity for homosexual couples to marry, or otherwise enter into a civil union, with rights equal to a hetero marriage. I applaud this as a victory, as I feel that homosexuality has been a part of humanity for far too long to be ignored. It can be debated whether homosexuality is a learned orientation or innate, but I choose to believe it is usually the latter, with exceptions to the former. It can also be debated that being gay itself is morally or ethically wrong, and it would have as much place as a debate over Republican vs. Democrat. Whether we like it or not, homosexuality will continue to exist as long as there are humans on this green and blue ball of mud.
As a people, we in America have at times devoutly attempted to disavow any knowledge of the gay culture, and at times we have embraced them - but as a societal model, we are far behind the curve. In virtually every other civilized culture I have had the opportunity to experience, no one has been judged by their orientation for decades... In some cases, centuries. We can point to Ellen Degeneres and say, "see? We accepted her without a problem," when, in fact, we didn't. I remember the inane conversations that went on during that time - with semantic plays on her name - as if her name was why she is gay. It is a common human trait to demean what we don't like, or in some cases understand. As an individual, I don't want everyone to like gay people. In fact, all I want from society (with respect to this topic) is for the individuals of America to accept that they're not going away. We can point to sitcoms that showcase the stereotypical, effeminite gay male, or the butch lesbian, but the former governor of New Jersey is only "officially" coming out after the ruling from the SUpreme Court. This is a person the people elected... Would they have elected him had they known (before the scandal) of his personal lifestyle? Somehow, I doubt it.
As a part of a local (Virginia) car club, I have the misfortune of seeing a post by the group's moderator and webmaster pushing the members of the club to "make sure to get out and vote for a consitutional ban against this."
I don't know why it pains me as much as it does - perhaps because I'd like to think I associate with people who share my views, or at least have the capacity to accept and respect the differences in people. As it turns out, apparently, that is not the case, and I am disappointed in myself, as well as the society that would not only listen to a bigot such as this person, but even to applaud him. Open-mindedness is a trait I value highly in people, both because of my own alternative lifestyle, and somehow I get the impression that this fascist "moral right" is devoid of morals, or rights, except as they apply them to their own. It is up to us, as individuals, to do what we can to end the ridiculous separation of love in our society. It is hard enough to find love, regardless of your orientation, without restrictions that are unfairly biased towards those who conform.
To that end, I'm venting, and I'd love to hear some people say I'm not shouting in the fog about this. For clarification, I'm not gay, nor bi, though it's been in question before - I can honestly say I'm hetero because I've experimented to satisfy those questions about myself. If you live in a district where this vote is coming soon, and you're of age to vote, all I ask of you is to look inside yourself and see if you can deny a basic right to a couple that has just as much a chance of success as the stereotypical nuclear family. They don't want anything more than the rights given to any couple that means to committ themselves to one another, hopefully for years to come.
While I'm thinking about it, one more point to add... If you live in Virginia, and are of legal age and registration to vote, think long and hard about this. When you compare, in your mind, the difference between right and wrong, think about it this way - you're trying to keep people from the rights when you vote for this ban. The people who want to ban same-sex marriage are the same ones who would control the world from the grave - by the time many of you come to understand the implications of not voting, it may be too late to give people something that should never have been refused. Banning something has inevitably making the movement more powerful, moreso when the movement is morally right - when you vote to deny someone his or her rights, you have proven yourself morally corrupt.