Okay. So recently there has been a lot of talk regarding gay rights and gay marriage in the news. I have so many things I could say about this. I get so emotional when I see people attacking a group of people simply for loving someone. Man, that's our problem?! That's really our biggest problem!? That one guy wants to love another guy instead of a girl? Whoa. I'd say our problems are pretty great to have.
I was listening to the news this morning... I always watch CBS This Morning because I like Charlie Rose and Gail King. And that other lady is okay, too. Anyway, that's besides the point. The point is, at the beginning of each show, they have the "eye-opener" which is basically a montage of things that have happened in the news over the last 24 hours. It shows clips of news stories, clips of other anchors talking about these stories, some comedy sketches or parts of late night show standup routines. Anyway, today's eye-opener was chalk-full of people on both sides of the gay rights issue. I listened to one man go on and on about how a man and a woman "is how it's been for thousands of years." I wanted to ask him, "Were you THERE thousands of years ago? Because I'll bet there were gay people just as much as you're certain there were straight people." I don't feel like I need to get into citing different facts. I think that we all know it's true. Supporters of gay marriage and those who vehemently oppose it.
So the next (and arguably one of the most used) point made by those who oppose it: It's. A. Sin. REALLY!? Are we going to get into this? I don't think it's our place. I think most peoples' religions and/or faiths would support that it's not our business to point at someone else and describe what they're doing as sinful. That goes to God. That is his business. And wait a second... If you're of the Christian faith (and I'm on scholar when it comes to my OWN religion, let alone others, but I think a lot of the other religions out there have the same princples laid out at Christianity) don't you believe that 1. each sin is equal and 2. just not lest ye be judged? I am butchering this, I know I am, but you get the point.
Anyway, I think most of my friends know where I stand on gay marriage. I, first and foremost, do not think it is my business to tell someone who to love and also to tell someone that they can't be on their lifelong partner's health insurance because "it goes against the grain of what someone told me once." And it goes beyond that. Why is it fair that my husband and I decided that we were going to move up the date of our wedding and a week in a half later we were hitched and someone who has lovingly devoted years, decades even, to another person can't dig up a way to do the same? The math doesn't add up. It doesn't. And I want to make it 100% clear here that I am so fortunate to have the people in my life who made it possible to go ahead with our fast wedding. And I also want to make it clear here to those who will bring up the word "sanctity"... My husband and I are together forever. I promise. Come hell or high water, we will make it work. We will. And so I can and will account for the sanctity of my own marriage and I'll be willing to bet that a lot of homosexual couples would be thrilled to do the same.
Okay. So I don't really know why I decided to write this blog. And why I already decided that I'm going to post it on Facebook. Maybe it's because I was crying this morning thinking about my friends who are homosexual and who are sitting and listening to the same news show as I am. And sure, they're seeing that most of the country (and probably world, truth be told) support them. But they're also sipping their coffee to a Southern man who is picking them apart with every word that comes out of his mouth. Why does he (and so many people like him) care so much? Why does so much hate for a group of people pump through his veins? And why do people like this try so hard to stand behind the defense of "Oh, believe me, I love gay people... I knew one here/there/wherever when I was in college/high school/whatever. I just don't think they should have the same rights as the straight people in regards to marriage."???? Hey, people who do not support gay marriage, I will say this. You do not get access to every gay persons feelings just because you crossed paths with a gay man 20 years ago. No. Just as much as I don't get to say that I understand vegans because my mom used to work with one 10 years ago. Same. Difference. So just stop it. Stop hurting people.
Here's my challenge. And I know this blog will never get out there for anyone to see, but let's just say it does. If you do not personally know a homosexual man or woman, try really hard to seek one out. If you can find a gay couple, even better. And get to know them. It will take you less than 15 minutes to realize that they are JUST. LIKE. YOU. Here's another thing. If you do make a new friend (wow, is that the worst that's going to happen?!) don't be afraid to talk to them about what's going on in their world right now. This is a big deal for this sect of people. Obviously. Open your heart. Remember, if you are a Christian that Jesus loved/loves us all and that because of God, we don't really need to waste our time judging others (even though we all do and will continue to.)
Okay, I'm gonna close this up. But for those of you who wonder why I'm so close to this issue, I'll tell you. My best friend is gay. I LOVE him. I LOVE his partner. They are my baby's uncles. And they are so good to my child. I have quite a few close friends who are gay. I LOVE them. I hate seeing them hurt. I hate seeing them unable to do the same things I do. But what's really put it all together for me lately isn't any of that. It was while I was pregnant. "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga was popular. And I listened to and memorized most of the words in that song (usually with tears in my eyes) knowing that I was going to have a baby soon and that he or she was going to be beautiful and amazing. And knowing that they could be gay. Or that they could be short or tall or have a birthmark on their chin. Knowing that no matter how "perfect" that this child would be, they would have to face some sort of bullying at some point. So there's my answer to people who wonder how I can back the gay movement so strongly. I have a son. If he comes to me in 15 years and he says, "Mom and Dad, I'm gay," we are going to hug him close, tell him we love him and explain to him that it doesn't matter. The love for him will always be the same way: it will grow every single day, forever, no matter what.
I have been thinking about writing this blog for months, probably closer to a year. This doesn't entirely sum up how I feel. I have a hard time putting into words how strongly I feel about this and how full of emotion I am about this. I want those of you who agree with me and those of you who don't to understand that I just couldn't hold it in anymore. I had to share how I felt about this. I had to.
To quote Lady Gaga, "Whether life's disabilities left you outcast, bullied or teased, rejoice and love yourself today, 'cause baby, you were born this way."
Have a good Monday.
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