Most of you know that I was very much against Prop 8 here in California, which passed last November. For those that aren't in the know, it was a proposition to our state constitution which prevents people of the same sex from legally marrying. It reversed a decision made by California's Supreme Court a few years ago to allow these marriages.
I even wrote a prior blog piece about it - "Why I Think Prop 8 is Wrong." Feel free to look it up if you're in the mood for more angry tirades.
This topic remains an issue - it went before the Supreme Court a matter of days ago. And of course, the news outlets covered it...which means they had plenty of "man on the street" type interviews on the subject.
Now, I know people who are against legalizing marriage for same-sex couples. I don't agree with them, but some of them have arguments that I TRY to understand, although most of the time I simply don't. I don't see how two people wanting to express their love for one another has anything to do with anyone else. They're not hurting anyone. Right?
What I saw that set me off, that drove me to write about this subject once again, was an on-the-street interview with a woman (who I will not name, of course) who said the following (yes, this is a direct quote, I rewound several times to make sure I got it verbatim):
"Marriage is created for family. And if you're two men or two women, you can't have family unless you ask someone else to do it for you."
First and foremost, this statement enraged me because she's now taking this beyond an argument over the definition of marriage - she's now making it about the definition of family. Marriage is created for family? Really? Because I'm about to get married, to a man I love with my whole heart, but we're not sure at this point in time if we ever want to have kids. Therefore, should we not be allowed to wed, if marriage is strictly for FAMILY?
And who is this woman to tell me that my fiance and I aren't a "family" of our own? Since when do you have to have children in order to be considered a "family?"
And as far as "asking someone else to do it for you" - so, you're telling me, a couple who adopts a child, that's not a real "family?" It's only truly a family if you have the kids yourself? What about artificial insemination - does it really make a difference if the woman is gay or straight? Does one have a family, and the other not?
This line of reasoning was so insensitive, so hideous, that I couldn't help but scream at my television (sorry neighbors). What gives this woman the right?? Marriage isn't just about family. The act of marriage is about love, plain and simple. It shouldn't be bound by any further terms than that.
It's almost as ridiculous as those who rage about preserving the sanctity of marriage whilst signing the papers on their third divorce.
I hope all of their "families" forgive them.
No comments:
Post a Comment