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Loading ...Besen: The marriage writing is on the barn wall
“Today we have overridden the governor’s veto,” Vermont Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin said in a written statement released by the Human Rights Campaign. “I have never felt more proud of Vermont as we become the first state in the country to enact marriage equality, not as the result of a court order, but because it is the right thing to do.”
It feels odd to be partying like it’s 1999 in 2009. Just several long months ago, the GLBT movement suffered a stinging marriage defeat in California. But, our short period of tribulation was swiftly followed by surprising jubilation. It was downright shocking to see hog-wild homosexuals dancing in the streets of Des Moines. For anti-gay organizations, the once easy game of whack-a-marriage is feeling more like whack-a-mole. They can’t be sure where marriage equality will pop up next.
On the same day that marriage for gay couples was legalized in Vermont, ice cream mogul Ben proposed on one knee to Jerry in Waterbury, saying that they went together like cookie dough and ice cream. Well, okay, that didn’t happen – but the Washington, D.C. Council did vote 12-0 to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.
“It’s no secret that I have been working on legislation that would take us further,” said openly gay Council member David A. Catania (I-At Large) “This is the march toward human rights and equality. This is not the march toward special rights. This is the equal march and that march is coming here.”
The barrier breaking in Iowa and Vermont rightfully caused a bit of urban envy in some places. Garden State Equality chair, Steven Goldstein, wasted no time scolding New Jersey’s lawmakers for falling behind the times. New Jersey currently has a Civil Unions law, but has dragged its feet on a marriage upgrade.
“New Jersey legislators, when will you wake up and smell the inequality?” asked Goldstein. “Today’s enactment of a marriage equality law in Vermont marks the official end of the failed civil union era in America. Civil union laws now join the Edsel, New Coke and 8-Track Tapes in the dustbin of history’s failed inventions.”
While the cows may have come home in some places – it will take flying pigs to get states like Mississippi to allow marriage equality. Still, with advances in Iowa and Vermont, the writing is on the barn wall for social conservatives.
“The battle over same-sex marriage is on the way to being lost,” wrote Cal Thomas, a founder of the modern Religious Right. He went on to say that those who think they can count on the political system to win are “closing your eyes to a situation you do not wish to acknowledge.”
Recognizing the direction the nation is rapidly going, Thomas – who is still anti-gay – questioned the priorities of his Bible-beating brethren:
“To those on the political and religious right who are intent on continuing the battle to preserve ‘traditional marriage’ in a nation that is rapidly discarding its traditions,” wrote Thomas, “I would ask this question: What poses a greater threat to our remaining moral underpinnings? Is it two homosexuals living together, or is it the number of heterosexuals who are divorcing and the increasing number of children born to unmarried women, now at nearly 40 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention?”
The big question on everyone’s mind is will the Iowa Supreme Court decision amplify pressure on the California Supreme Court justices to overturn Proposition 8? I don’t know if we will win, but I do think it increases the odds. After all, Californians are known for surfing large waves and the recent wins in Iowa and Vermont certainly qualify.
Our opponents will milk the marriage battle as long as it remains a cash cow. But with gay couples marrying in the countryside, it is clear what direction the country is headed.
Great post! I’ve been invited to several ENGAYGEMENT dinners and gay weddings and i’ve noticed that each one is more sentimental and heart felt than the last!
Enough with the cows. It was “amusing” the first time. Now it’s just plain annoying.
Great upbeat article… and by all means, feel free to bash religion (especially fundamentalist religions) next time. Thanks
Twelve years ago in California my partner and I were married in our church. Each day without “gay marriage” is another day our religious freedom is denied.
My father’s been married 8 times to 5 different women…yes there were repeats. He’s big on recycling
but he’s far from a liberal.
But his religious views prevented him from coming to my wedding even though I’ve been in a relationship longer then any of his. Go figure. The gay guy has a more stable relationship than most of the rest of the family. My husband and I have been together for 15 years (married legally in Canada for four of those years). I’m proud of that accomplishment given the role model I had.
My father’s done more “damage” to the institution of marriage than anything us homos have done or could do. I’ve told my father he should be examining what’s wrong with him and “hetero” marriage that would allow 8 marriages (across 3 religions) before casting stones at the validity of my marriage.
Bring on the other 46 states!
I find it so strange that these right wing ministers beat up on gay people wanting to be married and support that institution
While hetero’s are divorcing at a terrible rate. I’m told I am in the minority – married one time to the same woman for 41 years. Where I used to work at circuit city, I doubt if 10 % of the kids who worked there – ages 17025, came from a ‘traditional home’.
And for those who oppose abortion, just think of all the gay couples who would be glad to provide a home for some of those children who are aborted.
Isn’t it amazing how few of the conservative religious leaders get it?
Wow: One of the right wingers seeing the folly of all this fighting. I agree about the divorce and unmarried parents. That affects children way more than our relationships having the same leagl protections everyone else has.
Tom in Long Beach
“Gay people will soon be coming home to their cows — with marriage licenses in hand.”
Um, Wayne, I think you MIGHT want to rephrase that.
ROFLMQAO!
Bud
We are all ecstatic about the Vermont vote on Tuesday, but equally important is the Washington DC vote on the same day to recognize gay marriage where it is performed legally. This may be the wave of the future as politicians try to work both sides of the issue. Once this happens the gay marriage will eventually follow.
The other very likely possibility is that the courts will rule that marriage in a state where it is legal must be accepted in states where it is not legal. At this point gay marriage is moot and anti gay marriage laws will collapse under their own weight.
Gay marriage or not, people still treat us like filthy sinners going to burn in hell!. I’m so sick of being discriminated against openly an a daily basis. At least racism is often frowned upon and nobody wants to be considered a racist, but homophobes are loud and proud of their homophobia. When will people understand that we do not CHOOSE to be this way? when?
The writing indeed is on the wall. I have actually read articles interviewing priests and ministers who have actually stated they are losing this battle and need to focus on something more constructive. The Prop 8 people and those supporting them have been very quite this week in regards to Iowa, Vermont and DC. They were so focused on CA and seem to have been hit from another direction.
Well done, Wayne. You spoke about gay marriage AND its opponents without once bashing religion.
There may be some hope for you yet!
I can like hearing the smile in your message Besen.