Once upon a time, interracial marriage was defined by many good, God-fearing American patriots as an abomination, the first step in creating a race of “mud people,” in which cultures melded into one big indistinguishable mish-mash. There were laws against Blacks marrying Whites, preachers held forth from their pulpits decrying the evils of interracial love, and White racists spoke of the need to protect “our” women from “them.”
Fifty-plus years later, it all seems so silly. Over time, the legal and moral atmosphere evolved as people and the courts began to understand that banning interracial marriage was as immoral as it was racist. The heart wants what it wants, and since when does the State not have a vested interest in stable, long-term relationships…of whatever flavor? If two people love one another enough to make a lifetime commitment, why shouldn’t they be allowed to take that step? Why should government be able to determine who’s “worthy” of marrying? Unless, of course, the couple in question happen to be gay. Then “small government” Social Conservatives have no problem with government determining who can and can’t marry…because it supports their fear, ignorance, and prejudice. It seems Americans just aren’t comfortable without someone to hate and oppress, knowhutimean??
Fortunately, the tide of history is turning as courts across the country rule there’s no compelling state interest in banning same-sex marriage. It’s about fear, prejudice, and the “ick” factor, which as the court in Virginia ruled, is not a sufficient legal basis to discriminate against same-sex couples. There’s no compelling collective interest in preventing same-sex couples from marrying and enjoying the same benefits heterosexual couples take for granted, especially when both pay the same taxes.
Love is love. The heart what it wants…and who are we to determine who’s “worthy” of being allowed to marry? If you’re going to use the “What about raising children?” argument, then senior citizens and those unable to have children shouldn’t be allowed to marry. Erin and I don’t want children; does that mean we shouldn’t be allowed to marry? In the end, it’s not about children…or anything else. It’s about two people who love one another and want to make a lifetime commitment. Why would we NOT want to celebrate that?
If you oppose same-sex marriage, there’s a very simple choice available to you: don’t marry someone of the same sex. You have the right to make that decision, and you’re free to love as you choose…so how about allowing others that same freedom? Your choice, your religious beliefs, your prejudice, and/or your fear are neither sufficient nor compelling reasons to do deny others the very same rights you take for granted.
Love is love…and since when does this world EVER have an oversupply of that?
