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Dec. 14, 2004 During my college days in Houston, that city was reported to have the second largest gay population in the country and that may still be true. I lived in the neighborhood that was considered gay, Montrose, where my college was located. I had many gay friends, partied in many gay bars, and never once had the urge to experience homosexuality myself. My brother was gay, died of AIDS seven years ago. I would not wish that excruciating death on my worst enemy and could never believe any God intended that misery on gays. Gays deserve as much of a chance for personal happiness and fulfillment as anyone does. But I don’t agree with the strategy and tactics gays have taken to secure those rights. Just as rioting in the streets of the late ‘60s did more to hurt the black cause than it helped (note: I do agree with the black’s use of force to battle violence directed at them – the lynchings, tar&feathers, etc., that was more prevalent prior to the Civil Rights Act of ’64). The sad truth is that bigotry and prejudice changes slowly as is the nature of any trait so greatly influenced by one’s parents. I have no doubt that the acceptance of gays will only increase. Despite the irrational cries of imminent homophobia heard today, we are not headed towards less tolerance of gays. Evidence of that growing acceptance is everywhere to be seen. The opposing evidence pointed to by those alarmists is actually just the natural reaction of mainstream America to the gay agenda’s in-your-face confrontation tactics. If gays truly seek acceptance, they need to accept that change will come slowly and over generations – not tomorrow no matter how they bluster or what legislation is enacted. But, being sympathetic to their cause, I’d like to suggest a different tactic, one that, in my opinion, makes more sense, is definitely less confrontational, and has a greater chance for success. Instead of fighting for gay marriage, fight against government involvement in any marriage. Every aspect of legal regulation currently impacted by a certificate of marriage can be equally established by a civil union – the same argument being used against gays can be turned around and used against hetero marriages! Marriage is a spiritual convenant and properly belongs inside a church, or synagogue, or mosque, or on a beach, etc. The government should only look at each person exactly the same – as an individual, with individual rights and responsibilities. Two people who seek to protect the relationship or grant privileges to their partner should file a contract at the county courthouse, not a marriage certificate. Trying to force the huge majority of Americans that don’t agree to recognize gay marriages is simply a lot harder for them to accept than it would be to demand that the government treat every individual equally whether married, black, white, old, young, rich, or poor. The gays would now be aligned with fair tax advocates, child custody reform advocates, racial activists, and others voicing a positive message of equality, rather than standing alone negatively condemning inequality. That argument’s logic has succeeded many times in the past. And the net result is that heteros won’t lose anything and won’t have to accept anything – instead of having to swallow the bitter pill of gay marriage. Of course, the extreme conservatives will still object, but how can they defend against that logic? ------------ About the author: Ron Lewis is a software salesman extraordinaire, albeit habitually unemployed, with no significant accomplishments at age 47 other than two wonderfully talented children who take after their mother. All his friends note his keen insight, bad eyesight, doggedly jaded disposition, and rugged bad looks. A third person seems to recall that he talks too much. Email: grnacres@direcway.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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