Gay Marriage

[bradygirl_12]

In the cold light of morning, I'm still pleased at the election results for President but disappointed (though not surprised) that every gay marriage referendum ended up as a victory for the anti-marriage faction. Remember, Obama doesn't support gay marriage, and Bill Clinton, the so-called friend of gays, turtled on the gays-in-the-military issue the very first week of his presidency and also presided during the passage of the abominable Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy and the Defense of Marriage Act. It's going to be a long struggle and we probably won't see permanent gay marriage in our lifetimes across the board, but the seeds HAVE been planted and hopefully, will someday bear fruit.

Comments

[juniper617.livejournal.com]

We have Civil Unions in NJ and they do, in fact, provide exactly the same rights and protections as marriage; they just have a different name. While I strongly disagree with the state legislature's decision to reserve the word 'marriage' for straight couples, it still seems to me that Civil Unions are a huge step forward from Nothing at All. And I think that after a generation or two of Civil Unions, we'll probably be ready to drop the difference in terminology.

Here's a completely true story: I live in a really ordinary town in central NJ, and my 13 year old daughter has so far had two openly gay teachers in the public schools, and her current principal -- the principal of the only Middle School in the town -- is a lesbian who's totally "out." Now, I went to these *same schools* 30 years earlier, and there may have been gay teachers but they sure as hell weren't telling anyone. And no way would the School Board or the parents have condoned the idea of putting a lesbian in a position of authority over hundreds of children. Surely this, too, is progress.

I'm not happy about all of these states rushing to ban gay marriage. But change doesn't happen overnight. I think we actually might see gay marriage in our lifetimes, certainly I believe it will happen in my kids' lifetime.

[bradygirl_12]

Encouraging, Juniper!

And of course your icon is perfect. ;)

[juniper617.livejournal.com]

And of course your icon is perfect. ;)

*giggles* I've been waiting for an appropriate post for that icon!