Intolerance of Virginia
I found this letter to be very interesting. I used to look at Virginia and wonder what was going on with the state. It seemed that it was turning into some kind of Nazi state, at least in terms of trampling on the rights of it’s gay citizens. Over time, many gay people have been moving out of Virginia to try to find a place where they can live freely and follow their pursuit of happiness. Virginia offers these people little help in achieving it. With no protections of civil liberties for gay citizens, such as the right to not be fired for being gay, the state constitutional amendment looming over the state at this time, and most recently, a bill that will make it illegal for gay couples to adopt children or for children to be adopted if there is another individual in the house who is gay.
It’s hard to believe that today this is happening because I’ve been around long enough and have fought these same battles 20 years ago in California. In some parts of the nation, little progress has been made. And, after the Virginia legislature passes it’s constitutional amendment putting gay citizens in their rightful place (second class), they can all pat themselves on the back at the end of the day and once again go back to living in their little land of OZ.
Gay-marriage foes are defending a long-held notion: Intolerance
Allowing gay unions will strengthen society, not weaken it - Date published: 2/15/2005
VIRGINIA’S proposed marriage amendment is an attempt to short-circuit the debate about marriage equality and America’s growing acceptance and understanding of gays and lesbians.
This amendment affects the lives of real human beings. The 2000 census found gay couples in every county of every state in this country. They are your family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and fellow Americans. Most of them are fine, decent, hard-working citizens who are trying to make the American dream work for them. They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, and their relationships deserve the same support as heterosexuals’.
The need for love and companionship is common to all humanity, including gays. This amendment will not stop gays from forming long-term relationships.
Denying marriage equality will prevent them only from protecting and caring for their families. What kind of moral value is that?
Permitting gays to marry would confer innumerable tangible and intangible benefits for them and for their families while causing harm to no one.
Most objections to marriage equality for gays are based not on reason but on religion or personal distaste or animosity. Religion has been used over and over to promote intolerance over inclusion. It is wrong to invoke the love of God in order that one person’s values might diminish the value of another person.
It is never legitimate to use the words of scripture to promote a loveless agenda. I suspect the purpose of scripture is not so much fixing the mind as it is widening the heart.
I have to feel sorry for those who are not willing to grow, who cannot open their hearts and minds to gays and lesbians. I wish I knew how to reach them.
Gays and lesbians suffer discrimination under the guise of religious freedom. Freedom of religion cannot come at the expense of another group in society. The same Constitution that guarantees religious conservatives the freedom to practice their beliefs against same-gender marriage within their own homes and houses of worship, also prevents them from imposing their beliefs on other Americans, especially when those beliefs infringe on the civil liberties of others.
This amendment, which singles out gay people for discrimination, is un-American and unconstitutional. The civil rights of a minority should never be subject to popular vote. When the power of government is used to limit some Americans’ rights, it is all Americans who suffer an irreplaceable loss of freedom.
This intolerance of homosexuals must not stand. If left unchecked, some day the majority may come after your rights.
Marriage is a civil right. The Supreme Court settled that issue in the 1967 Loving v. Virginia case. There is no greater personal freedom than the right to marry the person one loves. That right may not be denied based on longstanding and deeply held traditional beliefs, or elements of personal distaste or moral disapproval.
Just as the Supreme Court found no compelling reason to deny interracial marriage, there is no compelling state reason to deny same-gender marriage.
Because marriage is a stabilizing force in society and promotes the health and well-being of those involved, the state does, in fact, have a compelling reason to support marriage equality for gays. Allowing, and expecting marriage, would show respect for the welfare and equality of all Americans.
The basis of a successful marriage is love, not gender or race. Defending marriage from love is the only thing that ultimately weakens the institution of marriage.
Marriage, like voting and other civil liberties and responsibilities, is strongest when open to everyone. To love, honor, and cherish is the noblest promise that two people can make. Barring gays from marriage is unfair and inhumane.
Justice is organized love, love in action. Marriage equality for gays is about justice, according same-gender couples the same rights, responsibilities, privileges, and protections as any other couple in our society.
It’s about ensuring that all people are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect. Marriage will be enhanced, not diminished, religious freedom will be protected, not threatened, and American society will be strengthened, not weakened, as a result of marriage equality.
I have to believe that the inherent decency of the American people and our highest ideals of freedom, justice, and equality will triumph.
CRIS ELKINS lives in Stafford County. (source)
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