Gay Marriage

Proposition 8, while a short term loss for the acceptance and equality of gay and lesbian couples, has it’s up side.  The vote has been a call to action for those who believe in the equality of all men and women, to stand up and speak out.

Here in Canada we’ve had this debate.  Following are my observations on how that debate unfolded.

Tolerance

The proponents of gay marriage preach tolerance.  To me this notion, while well intentioned, is part of the problem.  We tolerate things like bad weather or an illness like the flu.  Homosexuals are not to be tolerated but, accepted as any other member of humanity.  Tolerance suggests that “they” are not like “us” and that “we” hold the power to choose weather or not to tolerate “them”.  It is this perceived division that is at the root of the problem.

Religion

Perhaps I was a little hasty in declaring the root of the problem.  Religion has to be the front runner.  The faithful can always be counted on to bring down the level of public discussion to that of a grade three class. Yelling childish slogans like “God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.” or the slightly less clever “God hates fags.”. Well,  If you believe that, then, answer me these questions:

1.  Is God infallible?

2.  Does God have a plan for all of us?

3.  Are we created in God’s image?

4.  Does God know every thing we are going to do in our lives before we do it?

If the above is true then did not God create gays and lesbians? could he have made a mistake? Not if he is infallible. as a matter of fact would they not be part of his plan? And who are we to mess with God’s plan?  Finally, if we are all crated in his image, wouldn’t that mean a part of God is Gay?

Civil unions VS marriage

When they realized that public opinion was moving against them opponents of gay marriage came up with the solution of civil unions.  The Idea was to give gay couples the same rights and legal status as straight married couples but not calling it marriage.  This got some traction here in Canada. Many thought it was a nice compromise.  This however was and is not good enough.  If the two enjoy the same legal status, why can’t they both be marriages?  The answer is simple, prejudice. Civil unions are just a way for the bigoted to maintain their feeling of superiority over those who are different.

The can of worms

One of the most juvenile attacks on gay marriage here was “if we allow gays to get married next thing you know people will be wanting to marry their dogs”. It’s the can of worms theory and it was the most disgusting.  Homosexuals were constantly compared to pedophiles, polygamists, animals and even inanimate objects (it’s easier to justify your mistreatment of someone if you dehumanize them).  But this argument falls apart by replacing “gays” in the quote with, “men and women”, that is if you really believe in equality.

I have no doubt that one day we will move on from the childish and bigoted debates over the rights of minorities.  I also have no doubt that one day calling someone gay will no longer be an insult.. I just doubt I shall live to see either.

Check out my other ramblings at my blog… 

Kevin Millard 101