Fight the powers that be
Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: Opinion/Editorial
to marry - that would include Obama's parents.
The Journal is not asking for tolerance of gays. To ask for tolerance
would mean we think something is wrong with their identity. We are merely asking for gays to be allowed the same basic human rights that many heterosexuals take for granted.
On the day of the results, The Journal became lost in our frustration
at a system that claims to be the home of the free, devoid of human rights violations and a land where you can accomplish anything. Yet, the status quo claims they are merely protecting
the institution of marriage - an institution that ends in divorce
50 percent of the time. One sign at the rally comes to mind - "Show me just one gay marriage
that has ended a straight marriage and I will eat this sign."
The Journal also finds it funny when religious groups claim gay marriage as a moral issue and an abomination against God, but obviously they haven't heard about separation of Church and State. Marriage is a contract with the state - simple fact.
Historically, marriage is a business contract between two persons that allows them to combine
their assets for their mutual benefit - presence of love is just a perk.
The contract enables married couples 1,400 legal rights composed
of about 400 federal and state benefits, including status as next-of-kin for hospital visits and medical decisions, joint insurance
policies and coverage, benefits such as annuities, pension
plans, social security and Medicare, and inheritance of jointly-owned real and personal property, just to name a few. Most of these legal and economic
benefits cannot be arranged or contracted privately.
Some politicians are pushing for gays to consider fighting for civil unions instead of marriage. Although this would give gays many state benefits, in states such as Vermont, they would still be denied about 1,049 federal rights, benefits and privileges.
However, even with the all the continuous hypocrisy in this country, the rally we saw and the ones we heard about gave The Journal hope that one day the U.S. will overcome its bigotry.
As we stood among the protesters,
The Journal felt the community,
the love and the anger. It was an anger that demanded results and change.
The Journal is angry, but we sense protesters are far from giving
up.
Our optimism makes us want to shout, "We're gay! We're straight! No Prop 8!" from the windows of the newsroom.
The Journal is swelling with pride. Keep up the movement; start the revolution.
We must reconstruct the system
or tear it down.
The Journal is not asking for tolerance of gays. To ask for tolerance
would mean we think something is wrong with their identity. We are merely asking for gays to be allowed the same basic human rights that many heterosexuals take for granted.
On the day of the results, The Journal became lost in our frustration
at a system that claims to be the home of the free, devoid of human rights violations and a land where you can accomplish anything. Yet, the status quo claims they are merely protecting
the institution of marriage - an institution that ends in divorce
50 percent of the time. One sign at the rally comes to mind - "Show me just one gay marriage
that has ended a straight marriage and I will eat this sign."
The Journal also finds it funny when religious groups claim gay marriage as a moral issue and an abomination against God, but obviously they haven't heard about separation of Church and State. Marriage is a contract with the state - simple fact.
Historically, marriage is a business contract between two persons that allows them to combine
their assets for their mutual benefit - presence of love is just a perk.
The contract enables married couples 1,400 legal rights composed
of about 400 federal and state benefits, including status as next-of-kin for hospital visits and medical decisions, joint insurance
policies and coverage, benefits such as annuities, pension
plans, social security and Medicare, and inheritance of jointly-owned real and personal property, just to name a few. Most of these legal and economic
benefits cannot be arranged or contracted privately.
Some politicians are pushing for gays to consider fighting for civil unions instead of marriage. Although this would give gays many state benefits, in states such as Vermont, they would still be denied about 1,049 federal rights, benefits and privileges.
However, even with the all the continuous hypocrisy in this country, the rally we saw and the ones we heard about gave The Journal hope that one day the U.S. will overcome its bigotry.
As we stood among the protesters,
The Journal felt the community,
the love and the anger. It was an anger that demanded results and change.
The Journal is angry, but we sense protesters are far from giving
up.
Our optimism makes us want to shout, "We're gay! We're straight! No Prop 8!" from the windows of the newsroom.
The Journal is swelling with pride. Keep up the movement; start the revolution.
We must reconstruct the system
or tear it down.
Be the first to comment on this story