Facing Hatred

Now that Republicans face another difficult election year, the proposed blockade on gay marriage has gained political currency once again.

Six states -- Idaho, South Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin -- plan state referendums against homosexual marriage this fall.

A seventh state, Alabama, will conduct a referendum in June. Up to seven more states may hold referendums, according to the Human Rights Campaign, a homosexual rights group.

The Senate Judiciary Committee last week endorsed the constitutional amendment against gay unions drafted by U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo. (source)

Yes, I know... I said I would write less about marriage. I know everyone is sick of hearing about it. I guess I won’t say much about it. I’m sick of hearing about it and I’m really sick about the whole issue.

But the larger issue for me, the one that I just honestly don’t understand is a basic one. I can understand how some people don’t like us that much. But, I guess I never really thought that most of the country just downright hate us. So, I guess my issue is this...

The marriage issue aside, What is feeding this hate? Why does the United States hate us so much? See, I don’t understand that, because I’ve done nothing to anyone and, as far as I know, neither has the other gay people I know.

So, as I ponder this question that seems to have no resolution for me, I will try my best not to internalize this and take it too personally. And by Christmas time, I guess at least six more states will have it written into their state constitutions a total ban on our relationships. I say that because they aren’t just banning marriage. They are also banning any arrangement that “simulates” marriage. That’s “civil unions” folks.

Or should I just shut up, take my lumps, and be thankful that they didn’t go that one step further by stating in law that we can’t own property together, or stay together, or send us to a concentration camp (yes, I’m told that some want to do that)?

We can own property together, technically. But if civil unions are banned, will even a will hold up in court? Many say it will. Perhaps they want to believe it will. I’m left uneasy by this.

Just my thoughts. I’m going to have some herbal tea now and think nice thoughts, like what I will be doing this summer in my garden, and what I will cook for Kent this weekend when he comes home, and the unquestioning love that I get from my cats. These are the things that matter to me. These are the things I can control.

That is, until the law tells me that I no longer have control over even that. Maybe the ban on gay marriage is just the first step. I know, you think I’m just being paranoid now. They said that about the Jews in Nazi German as well just before they were rounded up and sent to the death camps.