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And Yet, the World Keeps Turning . . . .

June 16, 2008 11:32 PM

ertain counties in California kept their offices open late tonight for the express purpose of granting marriage licenses to same-sex couples. While I'm happy that all couples in the nation's most populous state finally get to enjoy the benefits of marriage--whether they be emotional, financial, or whatever--I'm still more pissed by the fact that it's 2008 and only two states in our Nation recognize the right of two people that love each other but happen to have the same reproductive organs to express that love in what has become a very important way.

I think that I am a fairly reasonable human being. I have my beliefs, and I'm extremely stubborn about them, but I am always willing to listen to opposing views. Well, maybe "always" is a stretch, but I try very hard to see both sides of an argument. I learned a long time ago that the right answer is very often somewhere between two opposing positions, and, at least when I'm reflective, I try to bring that knowledge to whatever discussion happens to be going on. Often, this attitude leads me to take a very middle-of-the-road position on issues, and I've also grown increasingly skeptical of anyone who buys into one party or ideology hook, line, and sinker. I've voted for a Democrat in every presidential election I've had the opportunity to vote in, but I've never voted in an election where I didn't have reasons for voting for one candidate over another--I refuse to vote for someone simply because there is a little "D" next to their name. My point is that, although I've certainly won a fair share of argument by simply being louder than my opponent, I try to be critical of all positions and approach issues with an open mind. On some issues--like abortion--I've never been able to make up my mind because I find compelling arguments and glaring flaws on both sides of the debate.

Sometimes, though, I bring this "see both sides" attitude to an issue and am baffled by the seemingly obvious incorrectness of some position or another. Obviously, I see no possible rational basis for racism or sexism. I find it difficult to believe that someone could support torturing uncharged, unconvicted detainees at Guantanamo Bay. That just doesn't make any sense to me. But the thing that I've been, by far, most baffled by in the past few years is the ardent and unwaivering homophobia many of my countrymen have displayed. And it is homophobia, regardless of how it's dressed up. In the past, we were told that God clearly intended for the races to remain separate--that's why he put each of them on a different continent, after all. These ridiculous rationalizations for antimiscegenation laws were clearly racist. I see no essential difference between those explanations and the ones that are constantly offered in support of amendments banning gay marriage.

Perhaps I'm wrong, but it seems to me that the vast majority of opponents to gay marriage are opposed to it for some religious reason. But here, again, I find a position that I find incomprehensible. If you believe that gay marriage is wrong, fine, go ahead. And if you don't want to perform gay marriages in your church, that, too, is your right, as far as I'm concerned. Hell, I'd be ok with private organizations like churches and whatever else excluding gay people from membership. And if you want to tell gay people that they're going to hell, fine. But I don't understand how these people justify the leap from their personal feelings or beliefs to public policy. I've never understood--and probably never will understand--how people can insist that people who don't share their beliefs nonetheless act as if they do.

I could go on and on about this topic, but I won't. I'll merely say that I don't understand how someone could be opposed to two people that love each other having that love and commitment recognized by the State--assuming, of course, that we agree that it's any of the State's business who loves who.

Someone once said that as California goes, so goes the Nation. For the most part, I hope that's not true because, as I've said, I don't really care for California. But in this instance, I hope that saying holds completely true.



1 Comments


Fraser said:

Hosier,

Sorry to write via comment but do you have Medley-Pole's email? If you could respond so I have your email, I'd be satisfied beyond measure. Thanks!

June 17, 2008 8:17 AM



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