The battle for marriage equality in New York has the attention of the entire nation on both sides of the spectrum. If it passes, this will be a major step in ending the institutionalized bigotry against committed gay and lesbian couples wanting the same right to marry that everybody else has. Or the end of the world, depending on your views.
A week ago while trying to figure out a way to lend my support to such a worthy and important cause, it occurred to me that Lil' Dave and Bad Monkey were "born" and "raised" in New York. They're New Yorkers! This led to a DaveToon modeled on the "New Yorkers for Marriage Equality" campaign...
But after I finished, I decided not to publish it out of fear that it might give the appearance of mocking something I care deeply about. The fact that my gay friends are seen as lesser people in the eyes of the law and their rights are up for debate is disgusting to me. I simply cannot fathom how this is even an issue in 2011. Even more disgusting is how the people most opposed to "big government" interfering in our lives are the same people pushing to have laws which strip tax-paying citizens of their rights. I guess "big government" is perfectly okay if it's persecuting people you don't like. This is the very definition of hypocrisy. It is anti-American. It has no business being a part of a country founded on the principle of freedom. It is just wrong. If you don't believe in gay marriage then don't marry somebody of the same sex... that's your decision. But you have no right to make that decision for everybody else in the United States of America. End of story.
So as the New York Senate reconvenes today to debate whether homosexuality is grounds to relegate somebody to being a second class citizen, I remembered the cartoon and changed my mind. People can look at it however they want, but it sums up my feelings on the matter completely: Government has no fucking business telling consenting adults who they can love and marry. And it's no less true if it's coming from a cartoon.
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Amazing, that in this day and age, this is some sort of debate. Amazing – and pathetic.
Just curious what your stance is on plural marriage then? I’m totally with you when it comes to the argument for gay marriage, but I find myself having problems applying the same argument for plural marriages.
Technically, it’s the same argument; “Let people love who they will love and keep the law out of it”. But somehow it just feels different and I can’t explain why.
I was just wondering what your thoughts on it were.
Personally? Marriage to me is a commitment between two people. If a guy has multiple wives, it seems as though he’s not very committed since he has to split his time between all of them. That being said, who am I to decide what consenting adults choose to do with their loves and lives? If everybody involved is okay with the situation, then that’s their business, not mine.
That being said, I don’t really feel it’s the same argument as same-sex marriage. Marriage between two people is legal. Marriage between multiple people is not. Gays and lesbians simply want what is legally available to the rest of the population… they’re not asking for anything outside of what’s already there for straight people. Since I believe that sexuality is not a choice, it’s discrimination and bigotry to pass laws that say otherwise. Even if you don’t believe that sexuality is not a choice, then people choosing to be straight shouldn’t have rights over people choosing to be gay. That is also discrimination and bigotry. 🙂
Agreed. Well done post.
Right on! Keep on telling it like it is.
I am going to Seattle for the first time next week. I’ll let you know what I think of the place.
Since they came back in session over an hour and a half ago, the Senate has been diddling with all sorts of OTHER stuff. I’ve been logged into live coverage and there are 13,000 (and climbing) others logged in, too, waiting for them to stop dicking around.
As a New Yorker, I’m really hoping that they pass it with the Senate vote tonight. Hopefully the politicians will truly represent their constituents and vote what the people want and not based on what election money wants.
It passed!! Hooray NY!
At least in New York, being gay is no longer a basis to be branded a second class citizen. Victory! Soon to follow, California; then middle America. Th tipping point has been reached.
“Even more disgusting is how the people most opposed to “big government” interfering in our lives are the same people pushing to have laws which strip tax-paying citizens of their rights.”
That hypocrisy pisses me off immensely.
But on a brighter note, BRAVA New York!