Thirty-three votes. Thirty two defeats…for Americans who believe in freedom, liberty, tolerance, and getting government out of our lives and the lives of those who just want to live and love as they choos. This is what happens when Americans vote are allowed to decide whether a minority class of people should be allowed to enjoy the same basic human rights they do.
On Tuesday, the voters of North Carolina voted to insert a ban against same-sex marriage into the Tar Heel State’s constitution. On the surface, it’s just another state giving into the their bad angels- those who hate homosexuality and fear homosexuals beyond all reason. The same tired argument is used time and time again: “Same-sex marriage is a threat to traditional marriage!” This is a variation on the “God defines marriage as being between one man and one woman” theme. Toss in Rick Santorum’s “man on dog” argument, and you get a sense that the argument against marriage equality is more about fear, hatred, and ignorance than real world fact. The Far Right can’t argue on facts, because there are none that support their position. All they really have at their disposal is fear-mongering, ignorance, hatred, and religious fervor.
I’m not going to wade into that argument, because doing so will solve nothing. What I will do is propose one very simple solution:
If you don’t believe in same-sex marriage, then don’t marry someone of the same sex. Simple, eh?? Don’t you wish you could have come up with that? Don’t worry; I have no ownership of it, so feel free to take credit for it if it makes you feel better.
I’ve written about this many times before, but my feelings remain the same. I’m profoundly ambivalent to homosexuality. It’s not a lifestyle I’ve chosen for myself, but if it works for others…well, who am I to keep them from it? Live and let live, right? And yet there are those, many of them staunchly and self-righteously hyper-religious, who would impose their fear- and hatred-based standards on those who happen not to think, live, believe, and/or love as they do. What they desire above all else is to remake America in their image, in complete contravention of the reality that America is a nation made stronger by its diversity.
If you don’t believe in same-sex marriage, don’t marry someone of the same sex….
It’s possible that I slept through most of the Sunday School classes I was subjected to, but I don’t recall fear, hatred, and discrimination being among Jesus’ teachings. I don’t recall learning that Jesus expected Christians to marginalize and deny basic human rights to a class of people whose only crime is to be different. I don’t begrudge the hyper-religious their right to their beliefs and lifestyle. That’s their choice for themselves, and if gives their life meaning and purpose…well, knock yourself out, kids. Possessing those beliefs does not convey upon you the right- nay, the obligation- to force those beliefs on those who happen not to share them. I fail to understand is why so many hyper-religious sorts feel that hatred and discrimination is the Christian thing to do.
I can’t help but wonder how many of these folks even know any homosexuals. If they did, they might discover that they’re not monsters, and they’re all around us. They’re doctors, lawyers, waitresses, writers…and they have many of the same problems, worries, dreams, and joys that heterosexuals do. More than anything, they just want to be left alone to live their lives in a manner of their own choosing. They want to love, live, and be human…just like you or me.
Why is simply allowing a class of people to simply be who they are so difficult for so many?
I do have one small suggestion- besides not marrying someone of the same sex, that is. If you’re so thoroughly convinced of your right to oppress those who happen to live, think, believe, and/or love differently that you, try reading Dr. Suess’ story, “The Sneetches.”.
Then take a good, long look at yourself in a mirror…and try to come to grips with the reality that you’re on the wrong side of history.
