On November 5th 2008, Proposition 8 was subject to a referendum by the people of California and was, to the astonishment and dismay of many, approved by a 52.2 to 48.8 percent margin. In it, a denigrating reality was forcefully shoved down the throats of the gay community: “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” This “proposition” has been just one of the many successful endeavors of neo-conservatives, religious fundamentalists and fearful, homophobic citizens to further stigmatize the monogamous relationships of couples of the same sex. Rather then coddle them, dissenters around the nation continue to do everything in their power to throttle them, slowly, but surely, relinquishing them of any lingering civil liberties that they can lay claim to. To some this a justified law which derives its legitimacy from the universal truths of morality, aimed at controlling, if not eradicating, the disdainful acts of the deviant hordes. To others, however, it is a subjective, case-by-case perception of morality, belonging to the now clear majority of California, being forced on those people who “unfortunately” do not share their penchant for members of the opposite sex. Could this Proposition really just be an indecent proposal?
Before addressing Proposition 8 any further, it is dire to identify the array of groups who have instigated all the problems, as well delve head first into the pervading arguments against gay marriage. First, and foremost, are the neo-conservatives, masquerading as devout Christians, who, rather than standing up for their own personal convictions, simply act out Newton’s Third Law of Motion, “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction,” in the political world, changing it to, “For every Liberal action there is an equal but opposite conservative reaction. They are voluntary slaves to every whim of the left and are as predictable as Sean Hannity associating Barrack Obama to Bill Ayers, “The unrepentant Terrorist, who said on 9/11 he didn’t set enough bombs,” every night at 9pm on Fox News. They make no compelling case other than the cliché, “It distorts the accepted notion of marriage” As will later demonstrated, this is a tenuous argument because changing the definition of marriage is not necessarily a bad thing.
The other not-so-gregarious group to the homosexuals are the religious fundamentalists, wagging their fingers at the both “detestable and abominable” behavior of the black sheep of their personal God. It is their outright hypocrisy and overbearing self-righteousness that submerges society under a sea of indignant excoriation and judgment. For Christians-since this is the religion I am amply knowledgeable in- the Old Testament is cited as the common place for repudiation of homosexuality by God’s own words: “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; such a thing is an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22). Is this the same Old Testament God who, when asked by Moses what to do about a man caught gathering wood on the Sabbath, answered, “This man shall be put to death; let the whole community stone him outside the camp?” (Numbers 15:35). The only thing that should be deemed indignant in today’s society is this group’s endeavors to enforce their obscure catechisms on peoples of other faiths, or worse, on those who do not follow any whatsoever.
The last group, also prevalent amid the aforementioned groups, is the fear- driven, phobia-infested, change-inhibiting homophobic bunch. Their reasoning for being against gay marriage is so flimsy, so pathetic, and so insignificant that it isn’t even worth addressing. However, because so many are plagued with this unwarranted fear of those who “despicably” love people of the same sex, it must be dealt with at once. What do you fear? Do you think that by rescinding their previously granted right of exchanging nuptial vows in the presence of a judge, you are somehow eliminating the homosexual seed out of society for good? Think again. You have only successfully stonewalled the inevitable and undeniable: Gays are here to stay; they will not be kept at bay. Your ludicrous fears only demonstrate your own insecurities, as well as your looming feelings of inadequacy in a doleful, barren existence.
The three aforementioned groups do, however, coincide in their self-proclaimed compelling points against gay marriage. They say, if we condone it, we are leading society down a slippery slope: it can lead to legalizing pedophile relationships with children or relationships between humans and animals. However, the deluded individuals, who contrived these deliberately-misconstruing assessments, know fully well that these types of relationships would not be acceptable on the grounds that both parties are not consenting. Children are too young and irrational to consent, and animals cannot reason on the level of human beings, thus making both cases an example of perverted and abusive relationships, as opposed to consensual, monogamous ones. Also, they speculate that children, who are breed in this type of marriage, will be the unfortunate recipients of life-altering heckling at school: when they have to bring their parents to school. However, it is ironic, and even distasteful, to utilize such an idiotic excuse to prevent same sex weddings; a form of reasoning that was offered to preclude blacks and whites from marrying during our horrific, racist-oriented past. This “distortion and redefiniton” of marriage rectified audacious injustices of the past, making everyone truly equal… Aren’t the struggles of the gays of today an allusion to the afflictions that dogged the blacks in the past? Isn’t their current struggle against discrimination the same one that most of society fought to preserve during the 1950’s, but only now frown upon? Do you really want to perpetuate the wrongs of the past?
In short, Proposition 8 is the quelling of the voices of justice, reflecting the inability of man to accept his fellow neighbor. Whether you supported the measure, or its outspoken advocates, on religious, political, or fear-driven grounds, you must realize that it is only a matter of time until their dream, your dreadful nightmare, becomes a permanently-anchored reality in America. But for now, the Indecent Proposal of denying equal treatment for homosexuals hinders, as well as stifles, the cohesiveness of a nation in dire need of tolerance and respect.
“You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.”-Abraham Lincoln
