*possible triggers herein*
Steven was a British teenager who was set on fire at a birthday party. He was gay. He was invited to a birthday party. And they set him on fire. I have wept daily over this young man's death. I can hardly write about him. Which is why I must. They invited him to a party and then they set him on fire because he was gay.
His name was Lawrence. He was a 15 year old 8th grader when he was shot in the back of the head, because he was gay.
His name was Anthony. He was 18 years old when he was beaten and stomped to death. Because he was gay.
His name is Caylend. He had "f**" written on him and was teased and humiliated all day at school. He's been attacked in the bathroom. Because he is believed to be gay.
Her name is Sondra. She was beaten to unconsciousness because she is a lesbian ~ who was also trying to defend a child being bullied for having two mothers.
Her name is Cheyenne. She was attacked and thrown off a cliff by classmates who have known her their entire lives. Because she is a lesbian. Her attackers were originally charged with attempted murder. It was reduced to menacing by the judge.
His name was Jadin. He hanged himself after years of being bullied because he was gay.
The right to marry is important. I get it. I do. I just also think there are other, more pressing issues. If it truly turns out to be the first step and the rallying cry, great. Something has to come first. I get that, too. I do.
Call me a cynic, but I don't believe that will be the case. I believe DOMA will be overturned, there will be much rejoicing, and the general population will lose interest. I want to be wrong. I will happily admit I was wrong ~ from the mountaintops ~ if I am. I just...*sigh*
Regardless, when we have children in the world being beaten, attacked, bullied to the point of suicide, and murdered, do not tell me that marriage is the key. Is the most important first step we could be taking. Or at least do not expect me to agree.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
6 comments:
That is a take on the situation that I had never considered before. And, I suppose to take it a step further could legalizing marriage make things worse in the short term because it's such a polarizing topic? Could it anger people to the point that more violence happens for a bit? I have to say, even though I'm a Catholic and I'm trying to find my way on the path I'm sorely disappointed to the point of almost being ashamed of labeling myself "Christian" because of some of the hateful things being said and done by others who claim the same label.
A really thoughtful and sensitive posting from you, dear BP. That doesn't surprise me in the slightest. Interesting point on the marriage thing and that maybe it's not truly the issue at heart.
I don't get homophobia. I never have, even when I was a callow teen. I had a HS friend who was gay. I didn't give a shit. I currently have gay and lesbian friends, and I still don't give a shit that they are. I like them, simple as that.
I am thoroughly hetero. I don't try to sell my lifestyle to them. I believe whatever brings you love, gets you through the night, and maybe gets your rocks off once in a while is what counts.
I wonder if things are better here in the UK. I'd like to think they are but actually, I'm not so sure. Interesting post
So and So ~ I do expect violence to be on the upswing, honestly. And once DOMA is repealed ~ because it will be, sooner or later ~ I expect a lot of LGBTQ people to stop paying attention AND I expect a lot of straight people to get upset when those who don't stop paying attention still want more of their rights afforded them. The "we gave them marriage, what more do they want?" attitude. Again, I will be the first person to apologize and admit I'm wrong, if I'm wrong...I just don't expect to be. As for the Christian aspect of all this... That's a whole other post. For here and now, know I appreciate your acknowledgment of it and respect your journey.
Ian ~ While it would be easy to say "oh, well you're Canadian, so of course it's different" no where is Nirvana. That being said, I do think, in general, the Canadian culture is far more accepting of The Other, whatever that may mean, than we are down here.
Rekha ~ Welcome to Pobble Thoughts! I always enjoy seeing a new face (so to speak). Honestly, I can't speak at all to the culture in the UK. I know I want you to be different, because dear god, we're screwing it up pretty badly in many, many ways. LOL Hope you keep coming back.
*does the Holy Ghost dance all up in the aisle*
And mofos conveniently forget these were the same arguments made in 2008 when Prop 8 happened the first time.
Neo-Prodigy ~ You and me, both. But it's easier for people to forget that and jump on the bandwagon now.
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