Kudos To Gay Rights Activists

Last year, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled on a case involving gay marriage and asserted that the state can ban same sex marriage because the state has a vested interest in preserving marriage for the purposes of procreation. What a crock of shit!

In response to this ruling, initiative 957 was born. I-957 will require all married couples to file a “proof of procreation” within three years of the marriage. If the Supreme Court of Washington says marriage is for procreation, then that ruling has to apply across the board. I absolutely love this initiative, can’t wait to sign it and hope I get a chance to vote on it! If it takes an insane initiative to hammer home the pointlessness of excluding same sex couples from the institution of marriage, then by all means do it. Some people need to be hit over the head with their own hypocrisy before it sinks in, and vigilance is the most effective means of change.

I watched the Super Bowl last Sunday and I saw the Snickers commercial where the two men, eating from opposite sides of the candy bar, meet in the middle in a kiss, after which they proceed to rip out their chest hair (and other “manly” behavior) to prove their manhood. I thought the commercial was funny, not because of the kiss, but because the men were portrayed as ridiculous. I was a bit surprised by the uproar that arose from gay activists after the ad aired. My first reaction was, “lighten up”, but upon further reflection, I realized that they are exactly right to make a fuss and I was completely wrong in not seeing the problem instantly.

Disgust and violence, even when directed inwards, should never be portrayed as the appropriate response to homosexual behavior. That’s an incredibly dangerous message, whether subliminal or overt, especially considering that hate crimes against gays and lesbians are still prevalent. But perhaps even more importantly, analyzing and labeling this commercial as homophobic, moves the debate forward and challenges, very publicly, the fallacy that two men kissing is anything less than manly.

The ad has been pulled, a sign that we’re making progress on the issue, progress that has only been made due to the vigilance of gay rights activists, and I thank each and every one of them for that. As a parent, I want my children to grow up in a world that is not only tolerant of differences, but understanding and accepting of those differences. It is easy for heterosexuals to forget that those fighting for gay rights are fighting for us as well. Many of us will have gay children, and if our children are able to grow up unafraid of violent reactions to their sexual desires, proud of who they are and free enough to express their inner most feelings, we will have the gay and lesbian activists of today to thank.

So thank you to all who fight for equal rights for gays and lesbians. Thank you for moving this debate out of the closet and onto the pages of our newspapers. Thank you for your vigilance, thank you for your sacrifice and thank you for all of your hard work in making this country a better and safer place for all of our children.