Yesterday was a good day for humanity. Legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide represents a victory for those who believe that people are people and that no one deserves to be treated as second-class and “less than” because of who they are, what they believe or who and how they love. It’s a message to the American Taliban that they’re free to the beliefs they choose to live by…but they have no legal or moral right or ability to give those prejudices the force of law. In short, no one gives a $&%@ about your personal morality; it’s personal and yours alone. You don’t get to force others to live by your moral/religious code…which has nothing to do with morality or religion. You don’t get to determine who and how another person chooses to love; that’s a deeply personal decision…and no one’s business save for the people involved.
It’s a free country; you’re still free to your convictions, beliefs, and delusions, just not your self-ascribed right to discriminate against others you find objectionable based on “sincerely-held religious beliefs.” The teachings of Jesus Christ don’t speak to the issues of homosexuality or same-sex marriage. They DO speak to love, tolerance, acceptance, and inclusion- qualities the American Taliban’s culture warriors conveniently choose to ignore. They can certainly continue to ignore those teachings, but their prejudice and narrow, fear-based morality no longer carries the force of law.
It was a day for joy and celebration, but not for gloating. Seeing President Obama singing “Amazing Grace” at Clementa Pinckney’s funeral in Charleston, SC, presented an odd juxtaposition on a day when so many found so much to justifiably be joyous about. It was a snapshot that serves to demonstrate just how much work remains to be done. Love may have won in the Supreme Court, but hatred and racism still rule in much of the South. Human nature and the willingness to hate weren’t erased by the Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling. All one had to do was observe Justice Antonin Scalia’s petulant hissy fit and Clarence Thomas’ unintentionally hilarious ramblings on slavery to understand just how deep the anger, ignorance, intolerance, and enmity goes. The American Taliban’s culture warriors aren’t going to fold up their tents and go quietly fade into the background while graciously admitting defeat. They no longer have a legal leg to stand on, but that isn’t about to stop their righteous bleating and chest-thumping.
Standing on the wrong side of history became a whole lot less fun yesterday. Love won. Hate lost. We should rightfully be celebrating. while also recognizing we won a battle, not the war. We have no cause for complacency and resting on our laurels. Not while discrimination against transgender people, atheists, and minorities is still rampant. Much remains to be done; yesterday represents just another brick in the wall, proof that freedom to be who you are still means something.
Love won. Hate lost.
There are still those who will continue to virulently oppose same-sex marriage, which is certainly their right in a free society. Yesterday’s SCOTUS ruling settle the argument, establishing the legal recognition of the right to marry. The LGBT community “asked for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.” That’s it. No special rights, no special treatment or consideration. Equal rights and equal dignity under the law. If Conservatives choose to combust over that, I think it says more about them than it does about the Supreme Court or the LGBT community. If you believe that granting a minority class equal and unfettered access to the rights you take for granted is wrong and a sign of America’s moral decay and declines, you’re the problem.
You don’t have to like the legalization of same-sex marriage, but as I’ve said many a time, if you oppose it, you’re absolutely free to not marry someone of the same gender. That’s as far as your influence and authority goes. You don’t get to prevent the union of those whose definition of marriage might be a bit broader and/or different from your own. It’s now none of your business.
Love won. Hate lost.
Not so very long ago- during my lifetime, in fact- interracial marriage was illegal and believed to be every bit as sinful, immoral, and deleterious to the moral fabric of this country as today’s culture warriors view same-sex marriage. Then the Supreme Court ruled in 1967’s Loving v. Virginia that anti-miscegenation laws are illegal, with all nine justices agreeing that marriage is a fundamental human right. They didn’t make a distinction by ruling marriage to be a human right available only and exclusively to heterosexuals; they said it’s a fundamental HUMAN right. Today no one raises an arched eyebrow when the subject of interracial marriage is broached. Fifty years from now, I suspect the same will be true of same-sex marriage. The American Taliban’s culture warriors will have long since moved on to other groups they believe they’re correct in hating and oppressing. It’s their raison d’etre; without a reason to involve themselves in the business of others and control private behavior, they’d lack purpose or direction.
This country owes a huge debt of gratitude to those who worked so hard for so long towards yesterday’s triumph. Witnessing that hard work coming to fruition and be validated by the highest court in the land had to have been sweet. Prevailing over a culture of hatred, fear, and prejudice was no mean feat. The challenge now will be to celebrate the victory while reaching out to those who worked so hard for so long against same-sex marriage. There’s ample common ground to be found- sexuality is but one small part of our shared humanity- and I believe Americans are strong enough and big enough people to pull together once a battle is over. Those of us who believe in equality are willing to extend our hands in peace and the hope that we may come together as Americans in recognition of that shared humanity instead of dividing one from another based on artificial constructs.
We really are better together. Now it’s up to the culture warriors to recognize that and demonstrate the love, tolerance, and acceptance taught by the Lord and Savior they claim to revere.
Love won. Hate lost.
