The Poet's Eye
commentary by Lightning Rod
The Poets' Eye is skeptical without being cynical, innocent without being naive and critical without being judgemental.
What's Gay About Marriage?
I don't understand all this hubub about gay marriage. What is ''gay' about marriage anyway? I thought marriage was about paying the bills and not indiscriminantly distributing bodily fluids.
I don't get the State mixed up in my personal life any oftener than is absolutely necessary. I would rather them not know about my finances, my health problems, my political leanings or my sexual proclivities. Why would I want them to sanction the union between me and my lover/significant other/life partner/spouse/or fuck buddy? The answer is simple. The only reason the State is involved in matrimonial unions is because of property and custody rights, so that if the union is dissolved the loot and the kids are distributed properly. It has nothing to do with religion or morality. Marriage is already a civil union. You don't have to go to a church to be married. You just have to go to the courthouse.
So now we have a slew of politicians coming to the fore to defend the institution of marriage as being sacred between a man and a woman. Foremost among them is our President. I wonder what his attitude would be if one (or both) of his twin daughters announced that she was not only a silly college party girl who liked her margueritas but she was also gay? Oh, never mind, the press would politely ignore it.
Gay marriage is a code word issue. The right wing is famous for these tactics. They have used abortion and civil rights and 'family values' as code words in the past to serve as a litmus test for one's core political sentiments.
When a senator asks a prospective judge where he stands on 'right to life', what he is really asking him about are his religious beliefs but this is not fashionable according to the Constitution.
Gay marriage is a similar issue. It is a non-issue used to discern someone's general political and religious beliefs.
The people that scream for a Constitutional Amendment defending marriage on the basis that it is the woof and warp of our social fabric should welcome gay marriages. Statistically gay unions are equally as successful (or unsuccessful) and durable as heterosexual marriages. Stability is the real strength in the textile of our society.
Gays are a very organized and vocal minority. The work of gay organizations in the areas of AIDS and civil rights is admirable. Plus they are great interior designers and hairdressers. Why don't we let them get married?
It's because they have become a symbol, a buzz word. Same sex marriage--cross yourself and hide your eyes.
The Poet's Eye sees that any two people, regardless of race, sex, skin color, sexual fetishes, political or religious beliefs, who decide to be partners in life should be able to announce and to celebrate this union. Call it a civil union or a religious union or a moral union, it deserves our respect.
lrod 02-26-04
Lightning Rod World Headqarters
Freedom Hall--freeform discussions
doreenperi.com--poetry, art, music