Saturday, June 24, 2006
Rethinking Gay Marriage:
Phillip T. Alden
June 24, 2006
I realized I was looking at the issue in the wrong light. I thought it was about a selfish agenda and shock value, but I’ve come to realize it’s about civil rights and equality. The agenda of the Radical Right is to marginalize us again, to burn our history and defame our good character. They wish to portray us as something less than human.
And marriage is one of those things that infers equality and legitimacy. It doesn’t matter how I feel about the institution of marriage, or my personal interest in it. The ring I wear being enough for me is irrelevant. If my GLBT brothers and sisters have their unions recognized as valid it puts us on the same level as everyone else.
It’s about dignity and respect.
It forces others to look at us as valuable, contributing members of society. It’s not enough that our friends and co-workers respect us, or that our families respect us. Don’t get me wrong, it’s wonderful they do so. I’m grateful to all our friends and supporters. But our contribution must be recognized, our validity affirmed.
Like the Blacks, Asians and Indians, we have been oppressed and treated with disdain. Looked upon as less than. The civil rights struggle has always been our struggle, and gay marriage forces even those who have been victimized as we have – yet refuse to recognize us – as having the same rights they do. It’s equality that flies directly in the face of ignorance.
It demands recognition of our right to love the same as everyone else.
Why did I not see it sooner?
Phillip T. Alden
June 24, 2006
I realized I was looking at the issue in the wrong light. I thought it was about a selfish agenda and shock value, but I’ve come to realize it’s about civil rights and equality. The agenda of the Radical Right is to marginalize us again, to burn our history and defame our good character. They wish to portray us as something less than human.
And marriage is one of those things that infers equality and legitimacy. It doesn’t matter how I feel about the institution of marriage, or my personal interest in it. The ring I wear being enough for me is irrelevant. If my GLBT brothers and sisters have their unions recognized as valid it puts us on the same level as everyone else.
It’s about dignity and respect.
It forces others to look at us as valuable, contributing members of society. It’s not enough that our friends and co-workers respect us, or that our families respect us. Don’t get me wrong, it’s wonderful they do so. I’m grateful to all our friends and supporters. But our contribution must be recognized, our validity affirmed.
Like the Blacks, Asians and Indians, we have been oppressed and treated with disdain. Looked upon as less than. The civil rights struggle has always been our struggle, and gay marriage forces even those who have been victimized as we have – yet refuse to recognize us – as having the same rights they do. It’s equality that flies directly in the face of ignorance.
It demands recognition of our right to love the same as everyone else.
Why did I not see it sooner?
# posted by Phillip T. Alden @ 5:35 PM 
