Let Love Rule

Dear Senator Tarr and Representative Verga,

In court, I would argue that to say that John can marry Jane but Mary, by virtue of having XX instead of XY chromosomes cannot marry Jane is unjust and that the inequity of that discrimination goes on to grant John and marry more than a thousand legal rights and responsibilities not available to unmarried couples. I would point out that marriage is the issue, not civil union. History affords copious evidence that "separate, but equal" does not work.

In life I say that no one can legislate love and that all marriages are based upon the daily commitment of the participants. I point out that marriage is a pre-Christian and secular office that should not be confused with religious ceremonies that use the same name. I add, because I'm a trivia hound, that it was grounds for ex-communication for more the first millenium + of Christianity. Most importantly, I look you in the eye and say that if you act to prevent me from obtaining legal marriage, then you are telling me in certain terms that I am less entitled than you are. You are telling me that I am less than a full citizen. You are telling me that I am legally less than a full person. You are, in effect, relegating me to a non-status, even while I pay full-status taxes for the privilege. What comes next? Queer-only drinking fountains? Straight-only seats in the front section of Mass Transit vehicles?

When a government commits acts of hostility against its constituency, everyone loses. Conversely, when a government validates the rights of its constituency to live authentically, secure in the fact of their civil rights, everyone wins.

If you are among those concerned about the effect of same-sex marriage on The Institution of Marriage, I have some simple questions to ask: How will me marrying the woman I love harm you? How will it challenge the validity of your marriage? What IS the threat? Specifically? Ask yourself that. I keep hearing that there a threat, but no one ever seems to articulate the details.

A fellow politician, Mayor Richard Daley of Chicago, had this to say recently:

"They're you doctors, your lawyers, your journalists, your politicians. They're someone's son or daughter. They're someone's mother or father... I've seen people of the same sex adopt children, have families. [They're] great parents."

"Some people have a difference of opinion--that only a man and a woman can get married. But in the long run, we have to understand what they're saying. They love each other just as much as anyone else."

"Marriage has been undermined by divorce, so don't tell me about marriage. You're not going to lecture me about marriage. People should look at their own life and look in their own mirror. Marriage has been undermined for a number of years if you look at the facts and figures on it. Don't blame the gay and lesbian, transgender and transsexual community. Please don't blame them for it."

Those words came from a staunch Roman Catholic Mayor. He seems to have integrated the separation of Church and State in a way that our own President cannot seem to manage. Your track-record of thoughtful legislation suggests that you are more like Mayor Daly than President Bush in this regard. I'd like to think that's true. How about you?


Click the link below and watch the images. They really tell the story. Look at the faces. Realize that same-sex marriage is an inevitability and that you have the opportunity to shine as an "early adopter". There aren't too many obvious moments like that. Go ahead. Grab the brass ring. You'll sleep better knowing that you did the right thing.


Faces of Love

Sincerely,


Copyright 2004 Seasmoke All rights reserved