Monday, November 9, 2009

Mopey Monday? Marriage Monday? Meh Monday...

I interrupt your regularly scheduled blog post to update what I have previously written about (I think May was the last time I posted a lot about the state of same-sex marriage in this country) and rant a little before I explode...

Here is where same-sex marriage is legal in the US:
1- Massachusetts
2- Connecticut
California
3- Iowa
4- Vermont
Maine
5- New Hampshire (starting January 1st 2010, unless the bigots strike again!)

In California, the same-sex marriages that were performed between June 16, 2008 and November 4, 2008 are still recognized. You know, the 18,000 same-sex marriages that were performed before the Prop 8 debacle. On October 12, 2009, Governor Schwarzenegger signed a law allowing same-sex marriages from other states or foreign countries performed on or before November 4, 2008, to be recognized as well. In Maine, the ssm law that the governor signed (because he said it was the RIGHT thing to do!) was struck down by a VOTE OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC (again?!?!) before any same-sex marriages were even performed. Argh. In New York State and Washington, D.C., same-sex marriages from other states or foreign countries are recognized but they are not performed (even though New York has tried to get a ssm law passed).

Same-sex marriage is fully legal and recognized in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Spain, and Sweden. Many others allow registered civil unions. None of those countries have imploded, exploded or otherwise fallen into any sort of harm or disrepair because of it. And SOUTH FUCKING AFRICA! A country rampant with homophobia and racism (hello 'corrective rape' and Apartheid!) has managed to allow same-sex marriage. Yet the US, the land of the 'free', can't come close.

Why aren't more people angry?! Why don't more people care?! What freaking century is this that a majority vote is allowed to determine the rights of a minority group? Why the fuck do we have a federal government to protect the people if this is happening?! It's not about whether or not you think homosexuality is right or wrong or a choice or an illness or natural or anything. It's about the constitutional rights of all citizens. It's about 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness' and basic civil rights. It's about love and tolerance and equality. It's about all the things that are supposed to make this country such a great place to live.

And as to the hate-mongering, bigot opposition- Get some real, factual arguments or SHUT UP! Allowing same-sex marriage doesn't undo or devalue your straight marriage. If that's such an issue, maybe you should ban divorce. I mean, what have Britney Spears and Elizabeth Taylor done for straight marriage except make a mockery of it? Wanting same-sex marriage doesn't mean we are trying to recruit your children to the 'gay lifestyle'- we don't need to 'recruit' as straight people give birth to and raise gay kids ALL THE DAMN TIME. And how does two people wanting to marry each other equal them wanting to bring in a third party? Churches will not be forced to perform same-sex marriages. We aren't asking for Holy Matrimony, we want fully legal civil marriage. We have separation of church and state so keep the Bible out of the law. Or if you're going to do it, do it all the way and ban shellfish, blended fabrics and haircuts. Bring back stoning. You can't just pick and choose what parts of the bible to enforce based on personal preference. I believe that's bordering on blasphemy. And just because two women or two men want to marry each other doesn't mean one of them is suddenly going to want to marry their dog or a goat or a horse. That is the most absurd thing I have ever heard. And I think if you dare to look up bestiality, it's something straight people are into, so... yeah. Catholics- maybe you should actually look into and take care of your Pedofile Priest issues before pointing the finger of sexual deviant blame. Celibacy isn't required by the Bible, nor is it working out so well for you guys. Mormons- have you forgotten all about your polygamy past? Pot, kettle, black, my friend.

I mean, seriously folks, to each their own. Everyone should be afforded the same rights and protections to do what makes them happy, as long as they aren't infringing upon the rights/life of others. That's how things are supposed to be in the US, right? If you don't want to be 'gay married' that's ok, it's not going to be a requirement (just like allowing abortions doesn't mean anyone will be forced into having one. But don't even get me started on that rant!!). I'm not crazy about the availability of guns or homeschoolers who only teach creationism, but it's not up to me to take those rights from people. So why do those people get to take away my rights? Do you see the hypocrisy?

And before you even dare call me 'Godless' or anything of the sort- I own at least 9 bibles. I grew up in the church. I taught Sunday School, attended youth group, chaperoned trips. You know what I learned in church? God is love. "Do not judge others, so that God will not judge you." Turn the other cheek. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. "Happy are those who are merciful to others; God will be merciful to them." ALL sin is equal in the eyes of God. "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

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