Marriage Equality is a Civil Rights Issue

In February of 2006 I sent this email to my friends on the topic of 'Gay' Marriage:

Amici,

I just wanted to share with you a wonderful experience that Nora and I
had on Valentine's Night. We attended a rally sponsored by Garden State
Equality on the eve of New
Jersey's Supreme Court hearing a same-sex marriage case. We heard
powerful witness from Laurel Hester, a terminally ill former
investigator with the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office who successfully
fought to have her death and pension benefits go to her domestic
partner. We heard from many: clergy, both straight and gay, parents and
children of all ages, elected officials, -all in support of marriage
equality.

My position on this civil rights issue has evolved over the last several
years. I felt the right wing was using it as a wedge issue in the last
Presidential campaign and I bought into the rhetoric from some national
Democrats that civil unions were enough to protect the rights of our
fellow citizens. Well, a lot of good that did us. Our presidential
candidate was still defeated and national Democrats still didn't stand
up for what was right.

The recent passing of Coretta Scott King serves as a reminder that
"separate but equal" was unacceptable in the days of segregation, and it
is unacceptable today when it comes to the rights of LGBTI Americans.
It is apparent once you hear the many stories of those who have suffered
this discrimination, that there will only be justice when we extend this
basic human right to all.

I know that there are many people of faith in this country that are
unwilling to accept "same-sex marriage." (Luckily here in NJ recent
polls show a majority in favor of marriage equality.) Until the Roberts
Court tells us otherwise, we still have separation of Church and State
in the United States of America. I propose that the state define "civil
marriage" in a way that is fair and just for all our citizens, and that
we leave it up to individual denominations and faith communities to
determine what is appropriate "Holy Matrimony." This seems to be in the
appropriate tradition of America - I don't want to tell the Southern
Baptist Convention who can or can't participate in one of their
religious ceremonies; and I sure don't want them telling me who can or
can't get married at City Hall. This is a civil rights issue, not a
religious one.

(As a side note, some of you would call me out for making no mention of
my Catholic Church. Guilty on that count. That is a topic for another
time. The RC has a long way to go, like full participation of women in
the priesthood. In this case I am drawing a distinction myself between
Church and State and I'm focusing on the civil issue for the here and
now.)


Lastly, most politicians are ducking this issue (like so many) out of
fear.
Well, this is a good opportunity for the
people to show the way. I really think in my home state of NJ, where we
have a progressive track record on rights (first to grant gay couples
adoption rights), this will be a reality very soon.

Keep your eye on NJ, we may be making some history soon (thanks
Massachusetts!).

Thanks for reading.


Peace,


Joe

The Times on Gay Marriage