Recently I found myself pondering how the vast majority of U.S. voters are opposed to gay marriage. I am not sure if they find it offensive, intrusive or if they are just frightened by what they do not understand, but it is clear that it does not sit well with their values. Now, certainly gay marriage is not considered standard practice. Much like women's rights, it has been shunned for centuries.
Thankfully, our societal evolution has granted women rights, but gays are still being denied their inalienable right to marry.
In the past election, 11 states passed a ban on same-sex marriages. Our president wanted to do the same at a federal level to preserve the "sanctity" of marriage, and while that attempt failed, I am sure he was quite delighted to see 11 states succeed in the same ban.
I found it particularly disheartening that the overwhelming majority of votes were against gay marriage; that the vote was not even close. The majority of the states passed the ban with 60 percent or more, and I am not even going to talk about Mississippi. It was then that I realized how far we have to go, how strong I have to be and how I need to demonstrate my resolve in educating others to understand the effects of their actions.
As I diligently watched the presidential debates and news programs, I did not understand how no one commented on President Bush's use of the word "sanctity" when describing his fight for marriage. Did no one see that the word itself has strong religious roots? It means "something considered sacred or holy; inviolable."
Honestly, I always thought that there was a separation of church and state. Did we forget our heritage so quickly? The pilgrims fled to this continent to avoid religious persecution, and it really seems to me that I am being persecuted because of other's religious beliefs. While I wish for true equality as much as I wish President Bush would use the word "acceptance" in place of "tolerance" of gays, I realize I am largely in the minority in both thought and sexual orientation, but maybe with baby-steps, the next generation will be able to celebrate life in a way that I can not.
As for our generation, shame on us. After casting my ballot in opposition to the ban on gay marriage, I helplessly watched the verdict return and hurl me into a terrific state of depression. For days I could be seen either fuming with rage or humbled with despair.
It was a month later that I began to realize that we, the gay population, simply rolled over and accepted our fate created by the hands of bigotry. We faded away without as much as a whimper. I acknowledge the need for a period of mourning, but now that time has passed, we must regrettably face the challenge of a discriminating and hypocritical majority that preaches freedom and equality to all but only allows it for those who accept the same beliefs. Perhaps I am unaware of any fine print in our Constitution, but I was always taught to believe that our doctrine of hope and freedom was free from such slanderous discrimination. Tell me, am I wrong?
Write to Michael at mscoleman@bsu.edu
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