Disappointments at Federal Debate on Same-sex Marriage

I am utterly repulsed by the bigotry and hatred being spewed by those pushing for an amendment banning same-sex marriage (and, Senator Brownback, yes, those who oppose same-sex marriage ARE by definition bigots ["bigot - one who is strongly partial to one's own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ"], and your misuse of this word is probably a violation of the "English only" law for which you voted, and no, President Bush, you CANNOT " treat [every American] with tolerance, respect and dignity" in a debate about denying a class of Americans access to marriage -- the debate ITSELF is intolerant, disrespectful, and a denial of basic human dignity.) Anyone who votes for such a reprehensible act of bigotry and hatred forever loses the ability to get my vote for any office.

But, sadly, as always, I am much more disappointed by our "friends" and "advocates" in this debate. First, I am tired of the "President Bush is doing this to draw attention from the IMPORTANT issues facing this country, blah blah blah". Yes, I understand that he is trying to divert attention from his monumental incompetence and failure. However, same-sex marriage is a very important issue, and to imply or explicitly state that it is not is an insult to every binational couple cruelly separated by our immigration police, every gay or lesbian person refused admittance to the hospital room of their dying lover, every widowed same-sex spouse refused a place at the funeral. Furthermore, I am getting to the point of wanting to vomit everytime I hear one of our "friends" get up to say "I believe marriage is between a man and a woman, but I oppose this amendment."

TO BE PRO-GAY IS TO SUPPORT SAME-SEX MARRIAGE. TO OPPOSE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IS ANTI-GAY. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO WOULD DENY US OUR RIGHTS BY A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND THOSE ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO WOULD DENY US OUR RIGHTS BY FAILURE TO ACT IS ONE OF DEGREE, NOT KIND!

I will vote for an anti-marriage, but anti-amendment (whether pro-civil union, pro-domestic partnership, or whatever) as the lesser of two evils, but never again will I give a penny to or lift a finger for any candidate who does not publicly and without hesitation support my right to marry the man of my choice. (Nor will a penny of my money ever go in the offering plate of any church that does not perform same-sex marriages, and "holy unions" and "commitment ceremonies" don't count!)

Lobbying in Harrisburg

I had the privilege of speaking at a press conference and lobbying a number of state legislators in Harrisburg against the anti-gay constitutional amendment being proposed for the state constitution. This was part of the efforts of the new Faith Coalition for PA Families (more info here: http://www.imagodeimcc.org/downloads/faith_coalition_brochure.pdf), an interfaith coalition of clergy and faith communities who have come together to oppose this mean-spirited, bigoted attack on lgbt families. Sadly, the legislator with whom I and others talked the most (by which I mean we started sentences which he interrupted) is completely clueless on this issue. Kudos to Stacey Sobel of the Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights, the Rev. Karla Fleshman, pastor of Imago Dei MCC, and the Rev. Nadine Sullivan for doing such a wonderful job. I had the privilege of riding up with Rev. Karla and lobbying with her and Rev. Nadine.

A New Home

On a personal note, I am delighted to announce that I have decided to purchase a small three-bedroom condo in walking distance of Center City, Philadelphia. It is closer to work than my current place, and I will have three times the room - including a guest room/room for my mother if she needs it after my father dies and a chapel. Also, this being the 35th place I've lived in my 39 years, I am looking forward to owning and occupying a home for several decades to come.