Same-Sex Marriage, a hot button issue

Yesterday I watched Dr. Phil. I know. I know. You're like Dr. Phil is wack. I said the same thing, but it was the subject that caught my attention. It was about same-sex marriage and the importance of Prop 8. Dr. Phil brought together key players of each side of this controversial and emotionally-charged issue. In support of gay marriage is attorney Gloria Allred, president of the Human Rights Campaign and equal rights advocate Joe Solmonese and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. Opposing gay marriage is pastor of Skyline Church Jim Garlow, president of the National Organization of Marriage Margaret Gallagher and co-campaign manager for the Yes on 8 Campaign Jeff Flint. As an lesbian I feel that it is my constitutional right to love and be with whomever I desire. This is America, and we can have emotionally-charged discussions about this subject. While I watched the show all I saw was to continuously forcing a will on the other side. There was no understanding. You can say what you will about your position. For a discussion the work we have to listen the other side. It’s a hot-button topic in California and around the country: The passage of Proposition 8, which reinstated a ban on same-sex marriage. Supporters of this initiative voted to preserve the sanctity of marriage solely between a man and a woman. Opponents of Prop 8 say it violates the constitutional rights of the gay community and that America’s laws should treat everyone equally.

There's many people who believe that the institution of marriage is a very sacred and religious entity between man and woman. I disagree, but if you give me the same rights under the word, 'civil union.' Let's take a step forward. Many times activists get hung up on symantics. One of the major underlining problem is that a gay or lesbian couple can be together for a number of years (10, 20, 30...) and will not have rights at the hospital (They are not immediate family), over the house they built together, children they raised together or these issues. I do not care if you do not like me as a lesbian. If I choose to love a woman, that's my decision. If I choose to give my partner an inheritance, I should not have to go through legal hoops to do so. It is not fair for a family that has disowned a gay man be given legal rights of his property just because he doesn't have legal documentation that says he was his 'partner' for life.

The advocates of Prop 8 does not want sanctions against its clergy if same-sex marriages are allowed, and they do not perform these marriages (civil unions). Let's not force them to do so. For now I think they should be legislation that states that there won't be sanctions or recourse to these clergy who feels so strongly about it. There are celebrations of same-sex unions in every city. If gays/lesbians want to get marriaged or a civil union, there will be someone to do it.

I read recently on a blog on Facebook from a former classmate on how being gay was an abomination to God. I simply respond to that like this, "Don't throw stones when your house is made of glass." These religous people all have something to say, but they have their skeletons in their closets. I am just out of the closet, and willing to face whatever persecution that come my way. I pray every day. I meditate every day. I am a child of God. As Tupac said, "Only God can judge me."

Back to this subject at hand, I don't think we should force people to marry gays/lesbians. We should have the constitutional right in our 'pursuit of happiness." Let me leave you with this. How does a lesbian/gay union affect the institution of marriage?