With all the post election frenzy, let us all not forget that although we (most of us anyway) got the person we wanted elected, ballot incentives and state amendments’ passed in California, Arkansas, Arizona and Florida denying GLBT Americans marriage and child care rights. I have written about gay marriage on this blog before but, it’s time to address the issue again. In California the place I considered one of the most liberal states in the union denied GLBT Americans their chance to engage in a symbolic and legally binding institution, marriage.
First, let’s consider how marriage is defined. What is marriage? According to Webster’s dictionary a marriage for all intensive purposes “is a union where by individuals are joined.” That is pretty simple. So why are (were) so many people interested in protecting marriage from redefinition? Ignorance, marriage is still marriage regardless if the two individuals have the same or opposite gender. Historically, marriage between men and women was promoted because it was (is) those unions which promoted reproduction. Looking at the term with a historic lens, given its Latin derivative, the idea of a marriage was not contingent upon the individuals identifying as hetro or homosexual. People did not even identify themselves in terms of their sexuality as people do in modern times. Therefore, if say in Roman or Greek society an older man wanted to take a younger man as his lover, such as the Emperor Nero did in a public ceremony, then it (the ceremony) was considered a marriage.
The great thing about living in a diverse multi-cultural society is that the imperative to protect equal rights must remain intact, especially minority rights. Protecting everyone’s equal rights should have been the moral compass guiding voters, but it was not. Too many people voted based on their religious ideologies. But, that is just it. Living in America, the United States of America gives so many people the right to practice their particular religion freely. That is what makes the United States such a unique a place. Unfortunately, what so many people fail to realize is that since the government has adopted or appropriated the term “marriage” in essence giving it legal legitimacy, it becomes an institution that every citizen should be entitled to fully engage. It does not hurt, harm, redefine or reinterpret anyone’s religion if marriage rights are shared by all members in a society. If your religion only condones one type of marriage as the “right” one, then that is sound and wonderful. Realistically, the United States of American does not have an official religion. Yes, politicians are sworn in Under God, and most all say God bless America. These ceremonial practices may give the impression that the United States follows a national religion, but it does not. Since all religions are not tolerant and/or inclusive organizations, a democratic/republic nation cannot function effectively interpellated to a specific dogma.
Furthermore, civil unions are great. And, they are a step in the right direction. However, separate but equal was abolished in this country. A separate but equal marriage institution would be unconstitutional. Unless, the government divorces itself from the term “marriage” completely, then and only then, would civil unions be constitutional because that is what everyone would be essentially practicing.
Finally, there is a popular saying, “if you do not stand for something, you will fall for anything”. This quote could be used to inspire many feelings, both rational and irrational. But, there is a truth in the sentiment. My fellow GLBT brothers and sisters let us take this opportunity to push for our rights as citizens in this country. Even if you do not want or care about getting married, that is beside the point. This is the kind of discrimination we as Gay Americans face in our generation. Decades before and during the civil rights movement, African-Americans did not have the luxury of being passive about their rights. And, likewise we cannot either. Thus, our battles are harder and often more intricate to defend, but we cannot sit idly and wait for the world to accept us. We have to be willing to stand up for who and what we are.
