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I just got in a little while ago from the Prop 8 Protest/Marriage Equality Rally in NYC. I've got to say, even though I've been to a couple of these things, this one was special. We met near the Stonewall Inn and started up with chants and stuff, then we walked up to Union Square for the rally. I'm not sure how many people ended up there ~ I'm pretty sure people joined us as we marched. It was kind of goose-bump inducing being part of that.
At Union Square, we had several speakers ~ some talking about the California Supreme Court's decision, others talking about the push for Marriage Equality in New York. In New York, the bill has passed the State Assembly. We have until the end of June for it to pass the State Senate. And according to people who have been up there lobbying state senators, they have never seen so many undecided Republicans. And people are going all the time to talk with their senators. Someone even gave up her seat today to accommodate some from the at least 10 same sex couples there to talk with their Republican state senator.
My state senator is supportive and pro the bill. I'm still calling her to thank her and ask that she get it to the State Senate floor. The goal in all of this contact is to make it well nigh impossible for them to get ANYTHING done until this issue is passed and signed.
The bottom line is, what we're asking for is CIVIL MARRIAGE! The bill in no way forces ANYONE to perform marriage in a religious ceremony. Truly, as someone said at the Broadway Impact rally a couple of weeks ago, no gay or lesbian couple is going to go to a clergy person who is unsupportive and ask them to perform the ceremony. They will either go strictly the civil route or they will go to a member of the clergy who IS supportive. But those who want to use religion as an excuse don't see it that way. Yet...by denying this opportunity for committed people who love each other to live out that love in a marriage, as the rabbi who spoke today said, "In refusing us a chance to express and live out our love, they are blaspheming God. They are making themselves bigots." Not that they see it that way.
Two of the speakers today married their partners in California, and so at least are still married. As they spoke, particularly the second, they spoke of this opportunity to publicly make that commitment in front of their families ~ families who may not have dreamed of that day in that way... And I was reminded of the story I've heard for as long as I can remember...
The morning after I was born, my dad went into my mom's hospital room and told her he had dreamed of walking me down the aisle at my wedding. (My mom's response was "LET HER BE A BABY!") All my life ~ well, before I came out to myself and then to my family ~ I would watch my dad's face whenever we went into a church to see if any flash of recognition flashed across his face. I used to ask him what "the guy" looked like, but he could never tell me. Was that some kind of a sign? I don't know. It didn't really occur to me at first that anything was weird about that. Then I came out ~ thankfully to an extremely supportive family who has embraced me from the start (ok...ONE aunt and uncle and their kids are basically silent on the subject, but we expected that). I'm fortunate in that I have a family who is willing to stand up for my rights. And while I may not have anyone in my life right now, I hope and pray that one day, my dad's dream can come true and he CAN indeed walk me down the aisle ~ or at least be present at my wedding.
Another speaker today pointed out that historically, every setback with Civil Rights issues has been followed shortly by a victory. Hopefully the California Supreme Court's heartbreaking decision on Prop 8 will soon be followed by a bill becoming law in New York, and Civil Marriage Equality will be a reality in another state.
Dear God, let it be so! Let it be so!
At Union Square, we had several speakers ~ some talking about the California Supreme Court's decision, others talking about the push for Marriage Equality in New York. In New York, the bill has passed the State Assembly. We have until the end of June for it to pass the State Senate. And according to people who have been up there lobbying state senators, they have never seen so many undecided Republicans. And people are going all the time to talk with their senators. Someone even gave up her seat today to accommodate some from the at least 10 same sex couples there to talk with their Republican state senator.
My state senator is supportive and pro the bill. I'm still calling her to thank her and ask that she get it to the State Senate floor. The goal in all of this contact is to make it well nigh impossible for them to get ANYTHING done until this issue is passed and signed.
The bottom line is, what we're asking for is CIVIL MARRIAGE! The bill in no way forces ANYONE to perform marriage in a religious ceremony. Truly, as someone said at the Broadway Impact rally a couple of weeks ago, no gay or lesbian couple is going to go to a clergy person who is unsupportive and ask them to perform the ceremony. They will either go strictly the civil route or they will go to a member of the clergy who IS supportive. But those who want to use religion as an excuse don't see it that way. Yet...by denying this opportunity for committed people who love each other to live out that love in a marriage, as the rabbi who spoke today said, "In refusing us a chance to express and live out our love, they are blaspheming God. They are making themselves bigots." Not that they see it that way.
Two of the speakers today married their partners in California, and so at least are still married. As they spoke, particularly the second, they spoke of this opportunity to publicly make that commitment in front of their families ~ families who may not have dreamed of that day in that way... And I was reminded of the story I've heard for as long as I can remember...
The morning after I was born, my dad went into my mom's hospital room and told her he had dreamed of walking me down the aisle at my wedding. (My mom's response was "LET HER BE A BABY!") All my life ~ well, before I came out to myself and then to my family ~ I would watch my dad's face whenever we went into a church to see if any flash of recognition flashed across his face. I used to ask him what "the guy" looked like, but he could never tell me. Was that some kind of a sign? I don't know. It didn't really occur to me at first that anything was weird about that. Then I came out ~ thankfully to an extremely supportive family who has embraced me from the start (ok...ONE aunt and uncle and their kids are basically silent on the subject, but we expected that). I'm fortunate in that I have a family who is willing to stand up for my rights. And while I may not have anyone in my life right now, I hope and pray that one day, my dad's dream can come true and he CAN indeed walk me down the aisle ~ or at least be present at my wedding.
Another speaker today pointed out that historically, every setback with Civil Rights issues has been followed shortly by a victory. Hopefully the California Supreme Court's heartbreaking decision on Prop 8 will soon be followed by a bill becoming law in New York, and Civil Marriage Equality will be a reality in another state.
Dear God, let it be so! Let it be so!
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