Posts Tagged ‘same-sex marriage’

An Open Letter to my State Senator

I sent the following letter today via e-mail to George Onorato, my representative in the New York State Senate.

TO: onorato@senate.state.ny.us

Dear Senator Onorato,

My name is David Mack. I am one of your constituents.

I received a call yesterday from the New York Civil Liberties Union, whose representative told me that you are “on the fence” regarding your vote on an upcoming measure to legalize same-sex marriage in New York State.  Your public comments on the issue would suggest you are, in fact, opposed to the measure.

I am writing to urge you in the strongest possible terms to vote in favor of that measure.

This is not about “gay” rights, or “special” rights; this is about civil rights and equal rights.  When we start deciding which of our fellow law-abiding citizens are not worthy of the same legal protections as the rest of us, that is the same as creating second-class citizens.

New York should stand for something better and more noble than that.

Religious qualms about the issue are not a valid reason to deny citizens’ civil rights.  I support an exception for churches and religious organizations; I don’t think any church or member of the clergy should be forced to host, officiate, bless, or sanction unions that it prohibits.

But the civil government belongs to ALL of us, even those of no religious conviction, and it must serve us all EQUALLY.

Don’t listen to those who would criticize you and other legislators for “changing the definition of marriage.”  Doing so is fully within the prerogative of government, and it has been done many times in the past.

Let’s not forget that until the 1960s, in many parts of the United States interracial marriage was illegal. Many of the arguments leveled then against “miscegenation” are the same narrow-minded rants now being used to rail against same-sex marriage. Don’t listen to them; listen to the better angels of your nature, sir.

As a married straight man, I might not seem to have anything at stake in this issue, but I believe that to tolerate an injustice against one person is to sanction an injustice against all.  I stand in solidarity with my fellow citizens who are waiting to be recognized as full, equal members of our society.  And I am imploring you to cast your vote to help make it happen.

Thank you for your consideration, Senator.  I will be paying attention to your vote, and I will keep it in mind if and when you stand for re-election.

Best regards,

David Mack

WTF, California?

I am gravely disappointed in the California State Supreme Court for upholding the Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage in that state.

When considered in tandem with last week’s special election results, in which Californians voted down measures that could have substantially eased the financial crisis in their state, it becomes clear that Bill Maher was absolutely right when he argued that the tendency of  California’s citizens to rule themselves by ballot initiative has made their state impossible to govern. Left to their own devices, Californians will probably try to outlaw earthquakes, eliminate all taxes while guaranteeing everyone free college educations paid for with farts, and declare the state flower is a “blowjob tree.”

It’s all just so nonsensical. Try to follow along:

  1. The California State Supreme Court decides that same-sex marriage is protected under its state constitution’s equal-protection clause. So far, so good.
  2. A bunch of religious nutjobs appeal to a bunch of secular bigots to pass Prop 8, a Mormon-backed citizens’ ballot initiative that bans same-sex marriage in California. By a small margin, the measure passes. Appalling.
  3. The California State Supreme Court is asked to overturn the new law on the grounds that the court’s previous ruling established as precedent a constitutional protection for same-sex marriage; ergo, a law against it violates that state’s constitution. Driven by fear of a voter backlash (or perhaps its own prejudice), the court declines to overturn Prop 8.

So much for “liberal” California, folks. All I have to say at this point is that I’m proud to be a native New Englander.

No Protection Required

Standing in solidarity with terri_osborne and daytonward and others:

Copy this sentence into your LiveJournal if you're in a heterosexual marriage, and you don't want it “protected” by the bigots who think that gay marriage hurts it somehow.

Both before and after my (so far) four years of marriage to my beloved Kara, I have not and do not feel that the way other people conduct their private relationships has any bearing on how I conduct mine, nor vice-versa. And that's as it should be.

Because I have friends who have been directly and adversely affected by the narrow-minded efforts of some overzealous, sanctimonious bigots to deny them their right to participate fully in civil life, I denounce those who would stand in the way of full and equal rights under the law for same-sex couples.

'Nuff said.