Topic : Homosexuality Debate and Discussion

Just because something is consider LAW doesn't always make it right.  Consider that at one time it was the law that blacks and whites could not marry or one that was removed from the books not that long ago that prohibited Native Americans from entering the city of Boston.  One of my personal favorites, women could not vote or the poll tax which kept the poor and minorities from being able to vote. 

All of these were laws and they were all wrong.  Sometimes laws are wrong and are discriminatory. 

And we, the people don't vote for laws, our elected officials do and very often those same elected officials promise one thing and deliver something else.  Often those who pledge to represent us just don't.  In my state, even though a bill which would legalize same sex marriage will most likely be able to pass in both houses, my governor has pledged to use the veto power.  It is our system, only one we have and very often it is just plain wrong.

It is true that the piece of paper that is my marriage license means very little to me but currently that paper carries power.  The power to help provide by means of Soc. Sec. for my children and spouse, the power to make important decisions for my spouse if necessary. 

Here is an example:  married couple, one spouse in intensive care in hospital, who without question gets to be with their spouse and make decisions?  The spouse of course as it should be.  I know that out of every one on this planet my husband is the only person I would trust in that situation. 

Now the same deal but with a gay couple and family has not accepted the fact that their loved one is gay.  They can legally bar the "spouse" in this case and very often the spouse has no power what's so ever.  Now I know that they can get legal documents drawn up but what if they, like many other couples haven't gotten around to it.  If they were able to get a marriage license it wouldn't be an issue.

I don't care about my marriage license emotionally and I don't need it to keep me with my spouse but I do care about the benefits that it provides us.  I just don't think it is fair or just to deny another couple who want to commit to share their lives together as we did, the same.

Again, I will point out that our laws have not always been fair or just.  There have been many cases in the history of our nation where our laws have been based upon bigotry, hate and prejudice.  It often takes time and a great deal of effort to change these laws and we look back at those laws with disdain. 

The suffragettes were once considered a bunch of whiny, loud mouthed women who needed to be kept in their place and for those women I am eternally grateful.  It took the National Guard to enable a group of African American children to attend the same school as white children.  Civil rights leaders, election workers and others who worked toward equality for African Americans were killed in their efforts to change laws. 

I guess the way I look at it is that the more empathy I can show to my fellow humans helps me to be a better citizen of this planet, it helps me be a better mom to my children.  For anyone that feels it is okay to discriminate against gay couples and that it does not harm them, I would ask have you ever spoken with a gay couple and heard their views and feelings.  Have you ever seen the pain in their eyes when they describe their struggle for acceptance?  Have you ever had a friend tell you that they are gay and terrified that they will be rejected by their family because of religious reasons?  I have experienced these things and let me tell you, empathy is a very powerful emotion.