Post Classifieds
Recent elections crucial win for gay rights
By Brian Alexander
On November 14, 2012
Last Tuesday, I learned some exciting news.
After putting it up to the popular vote, the states of Maine and Maryland will allow
same-sex couples to marry.
They join Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont
and Washington as the eighth and ninth states to legalize same-sex marriage. The
District of Columbia and two Native American tribes also allow same-sex marriage.
I am a staunch supporter of gay rights. I think it's a shame that some groups of
people have to fight for the rights the rest of us so freely use and abuse.
Accordingly, I see this move as a sign of progress. Progress, however, that has been
made a little too slowly for my taste.
Gay marriage and abortion are quite possibly the most heavily debated topics in the
public sphere. Indeed, we see politicians and pundits spending considerable time
discussing their moral implications.
There are many arguments for and against each issue, but the one component that
seems to catalyze the whole process is religion.
Many religious people argue that the sanctity of marriage, the biblical notion that
marriage should be between a man and a woman, needs to be protected by the
government.
They argue the traditional definition of marriage is important to upholding the
welfare of our communities and promoting good values in schools. An argument,
may I point out, that is analogous to the ones used in the '60s to oppose racial
desegregation.
There seems to be this odd concept among conservatives that prior to 2008, we
lived in a Leave-it-to-Beaver-style moral utopia where nothing challenged the status
quo, and everyone learned an important lesson at the end of the day.
However, the notion that America is a Christian nation is misguided.
The First Amendment doctrine that "Congress shall make no law respecting the
establishment of a religion" clearly separates the duties of the government from
those of a church.
In other words, it's not the government's job to protect the "sanctity" of anything,
much less marriage. Fifty percent of all married couples in the United States end up in
divorce. Doesn't seem very sanctimonious to me.
It is the government's job to treat its people fairly and allow them equal opportunity
for personal fulfillment - the old "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" ordeal.
We're at a crucial point in our nation's history. We have to face the fact that we're no
longer on the cutting edge of social policy. What happens in the next four years will
likely determine the course of our future.
I think the American people have done the right thing by re-electing President
Obama. While I believe marriage equality is a matter best left up to the states, at
least for the time being, it will help to have a president who supports the effort.
This is not meant to demonize Republicans. Mitt Romney wasn't the guy to get the
job done, but I know a number of Republicans, including my immediate family, who
support the gay rights movement.
The important thing is to unite on this issue, regardless of political affiliation.
We've taken a step in the right direction. The last thing we should do is turn back.
Brian Alexander can be reached by email at alexander.record@live.com.
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