I had dinner with Zach’s family this evening and we somehow launched into a two-hour discussion about Proposition 8.
I knew this would come up some time, since they’ve probably noticed how I scrunch up my face every time I walk past their YES on Prop 8 sign displayed on the lawn. Ironically, it lies among some scary Halloween decorations; this proposition makes me scared for humanity.
Its tagline - “Protect Marriage” - is confounding: what does marriage need protection from? When prompted with this question, Joe answered that he believes marriage is a union between a man, a woman, and God. As a Roman Catholic myself, I agree with his statement; however, I also believe that this is the definition of marriage within the Church, not necessarily a definition of marriage on the whole. And how can it be?
With a population of over 36 million, California’s state government must cater to a diverse melting pot, tossed salad, whathaveyou of people. We all have individualistic beliefs that we will apply to our ballots on principle, but this doesn’t mean that the government can implement laws that grant rights to some while refusing it to others.
The opposition to gay marriage is based in fear: fear that children can learn about this “different” lifestyle (does different denote “wrong”?), that the definition of marriage as a procreating bond will be changed (are then infertile marriages not as sacred as marriages that produce children? And isn’t our world already overpopulated as it is?), that same sex marriages will open the doors for hellish combinations (can the relationship between a man and his dog be comparable to the relationship between two people?)
My core belief is to love and respect all people. Are not those of the LGBT community also people? My God won’t spite them for loving each other; I like to think he’s a level-headed guy.
Well, tonight’s discussion was all the while light-hearted, because the Hights are, if nothing else, a gay bunch (in the other sense of the word). Everytime Joe would use the word “ignorant”, Mary would throw in a resounding “ignant” for comedic relief from this (deservedly) all too serious and (necessarily) all too talked-about topic.
At least I got them thinking about the other perspective.
Please don’t be ignant. Vote No on Prop 8.
