Common Causes
This headline just says it all, doesn’t it?
Texas Gay Marriage Ban May Pass With Support of Minorities, KKK
Texas lawmakers say an amendment banning gay marriage will be approved by voters, helped by low turnout and support from groups as diverse as Hispanic leaders and the Ku Klux Klan.[...]
“Having the Klan involved probably doesn’t help my cause,” said Chisum, who has been campaigning in support of the amendment. “This is one of those deals where you can’t control who signs up on your side.”
Bloomberg: Texas Gay Marriage Ban May Pass With Support of Minorities, KKK
What, there’s no room in the anti-homosexual movement for people whose hatred isn’t limited to homosexuals? Or are you just afraid that the involvement of the Klan will expose your movement for what it is?
I also find it amusing that hatred of homosexuals acts as a common cause for groups that appear to be in opposition, like the KKK and racial minority groups. Of course, the only reason their in opposition is that there is a racial barrier. In terms of philosophy, they’re in lockstep: “We only like people who look and act like us.”
One can believe that gay relationships are inherently destructive to the individuals participating. They could also believe, therefore, that promoting and honoring such relationships through legislation only does harm to society. They may be wrong about the nature of homosexuality, but opposition to gay marriage doesn’t necessarily stem ipso facto from gay hatred.
But shouldn’t libertarians be against any state recognition and involvement in things like marriage, anyways?
Self-destructive behavior is inhibited by its very definition. You don’t need the government to ensure that. (I’m not saying that gay relationships are self-destructive, just addressing the point hypothetically.) And “society” doesn’t have rights. Individuals do.
I’m against legal recognition of “marriage,” because “marriage” is a loaded term with a lot of differing personal religious/spiritual significances. We still need civil unions, for things like visitation rights, inheritance and child custody, but I’d be happy to drop the word “marriage” and further separate the legal definition of a civil union from the personal religious definition of a marriage
Mark,
I guess I wasn’t very clear. My only point was that it’s possible and even highly likely that people who are against gay marriage are against it for reasons other than hatred. They may be wrong about the nature of law and rights and what homosexuality is and isn’t, but they’re not bigots. Sure there are those out there, but I’ve had discussions with much more people from the former than the latter. Hell, my grandpa is the most socially liberal person you could imagine; he has MANY gay friends. However, he contends that marriage is something special and should be protected and promoted and that “gay marriage” is just a fraud. Is he wrong? Maybe. Is he a bigot? No.
Well, hatred may be a strong word, but how about prejudice? “The act or state of holding unreasonable preconceived judgments or convictions.” There must be some reason he thinks that special rights should be granted exclusively to heterosexuals. His seems to be of the “the traditional religious definition of marriage should be preserved” variety. It may not be motivated by hate, but it is still discriminatory and prejudiced.
I, like Jayson, have several decent friends and relatives who are not bigoted, but who feel strongly about keeping marriage between a man and a woman. I’m all for legalizing gay marriage myself, but I’m wondering if our nation just isn’t ready yet.
The Netherlands was the very first nation in the entire history of human civilization to recognize gay marriage in 2001, so it’s a huge emotional step, really, bucking thousands of years of tradition.
Gay marriage might be one of those ideas that needs more time to percolate, and then it will pass without fanfare 10 or 15 years from now, probably after several more nations legalize it. In the meantime, we can make sure gay couples have the same legal rights as married couples.
I’m not making excuses for it, just trying to figure out why there’s so much opposition. I don’t believe it’s all hatred and bigotry as much as I think it’s fear of the unknown.
That’s what it is about, in the end. Call it whatever you like, just give them equal rights.
I am not a pro marriage fan for the gay or straight community. It is very large personal commitment. That is the only context that will protect marriage. It is sometimes indiscriminately entered into. It is romanticised and pushed before you can think for yourself.
There is no difference between a commitment made by a gay or straight couple. One of the reasons I am for gay marriage is because the majority of the country has this right. This government claims to be for all the people. Do they mean only on certain issues?
Go to http://www.blogger.com Then do a search for gaybydevinedesign. Then you can read how we been lied to and used to push an anti-gay agenda that has hurt this nation.