The state of Washington, where I live and work, has become the latest battleground in the struggle for equal marriage rights for same gender couples. Last week Governor Christine Gregoire, in a passionate public statement, came out strongly and eloquently in support of equal marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples and committed herself to introducing legislation during the current session of the state legislature to accomplish that result. I wholeheartedly support equal marriage rights for same gender couples. When my wife Jane and I were married back in 2004 we began our ceremony with an expression of regret that our gay and lesbian friends could not do what we were about to do and of hope that one day that circumstance would change. For the state to deny those rights is discrimination pure and simple, as Governor Gregoire so clearly stated. I recognize that procedures have to be followed to change the law. Nonetheless one emotion has dominated all others in me since Governor Gregoire's announcement.
That emotion is pain. Certainly not pain at the prospect of my gay and lesbian friends finally being allowed to enter into the legal rights and obligations of marriage that Jane and I enjoy. Pain rather that the rights, the loves, and the relationships of my gay and lesbian friends must be subject to a popular vote. First there will be a vote in the Washington State legislature. Whatever the outcome of that vote, there surely will be a popular vote of the people of Washington. If the legislature does the right thing and removes the discriminatory provisions of Washington marriage law, the forces of discrimination will surely mount a referendum campaign to overturn the legislature's decision. Washington state law provides for such a referendum. If the effort to end the state's discrimination in this regard fails, the supporters of marriage equality will probably begin an initiative campaign to end marriage discrimination by popular vote. Washington state allows for that process too. Either way, the rights, loves, and relationships of my gay and lesbian friends and parishioners, and of all gay and lesbian citizens of Washington, will be up for a vote. When that happens, nothing less than the human dignity and equality of those sons and daughters of God will be voted upon.
The human dignity and equality of no people should ever be put to a vote. Those things are not subject to popular opinion. They inhere in all people by virtue of their being people, by virtue of their being children of God. No vote can really take away any person's inherent dignity and equality as a human being; but when equal rights are put to a vote, it feels like people's dignity and equality are indeed being voted on. That is what pains me. People's rights should never be subject to a popular vote. They should just be recognized.
Yes, I know. That's unrealistic and doesn't recognize the realities of how laws are made in democratic societies. I used to be a lawyer. I get that. Still, I have to say it. I hurt for my gay and lesbian friends who once more must endure the indignity of have having their rights, their equality, publicly debated and voted upon. Once more they will endure the indignity of people denying their rights, denying their equality, denying their equal dignity, and often doing it in the name of Jesus Christ. Once more we will all endure the absurdity of an ancient and outdated misunderstanding of human sexuality lifted up as the very word of God. I wish it did not have to be so.
The goal is worth the fight. Progress is rarely achieved without pain. Still, I pray for my gay and lesbian friends, that they may endure the coming indignities with grace and courage, confident that God endures those indignities with them and that no popular vote can truly debase their love and their loving relationships. May we all cling to that sacred truth in the difficult months ahead.
That emotion is pain. Certainly not pain at the prospect of my gay and lesbian friends finally being allowed to enter into the legal rights and obligations of marriage that Jane and I enjoy. Pain rather that the rights, the loves, and the relationships of my gay and lesbian friends must be subject to a popular vote. First there will be a vote in the Washington State legislature. Whatever the outcome of that vote, there surely will be a popular vote of the people of Washington. If the legislature does the right thing and removes the discriminatory provisions of Washington marriage law, the forces of discrimination will surely mount a referendum campaign to overturn the legislature's decision. Washington state law provides for such a referendum. If the effort to end the state's discrimination in this regard fails, the supporters of marriage equality will probably begin an initiative campaign to end marriage discrimination by popular vote. Washington state allows for that process too. Either way, the rights, loves, and relationships of my gay and lesbian friends and parishioners, and of all gay and lesbian citizens of Washington, will be up for a vote. When that happens, nothing less than the human dignity and equality of those sons and daughters of God will be voted upon.
The human dignity and equality of no people should ever be put to a vote. Those things are not subject to popular opinion. They inhere in all people by virtue of their being people, by virtue of their being children of God. No vote can really take away any person's inherent dignity and equality as a human being; but when equal rights are put to a vote, it feels like people's dignity and equality are indeed being voted on. That is what pains me. People's rights should never be subject to a popular vote. They should just be recognized.
Yes, I know. That's unrealistic and doesn't recognize the realities of how laws are made in democratic societies. I used to be a lawyer. I get that. Still, I have to say it. I hurt for my gay and lesbian friends who once more must endure the indignity of have having their rights, their equality, publicly debated and voted upon. Once more they will endure the indignity of people denying their rights, denying their equality, denying their equal dignity, and often doing it in the name of Jesus Christ. Once more we will all endure the absurdity of an ancient and outdated misunderstanding of human sexuality lifted up as the very word of God. I wish it did not have to be so.
The goal is worth the fight. Progress is rarely achieved without pain. Still, I pray for my gay and lesbian friends, that they may endure the coming indignities with grace and courage, confident that God endures those indignities with them and that no popular vote can truly debase their love and their loving relationships. May we all cling to that sacred truth in the difficult months ahead.
So true.
ReplyDeleteThis has been weighing on my mind as well. Imagine: a vote to determine if the 14 Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is to be followed and if people of all sexual orientations to be treated equally.
Your eloquent story brought tears to the eyes of this case-hardened 75 year old professional engineer.
Bruce Robinson
www.religioustolerance.org/hom_mar_wa.htm