Well, this week was certainly a wonderful one for
Colorado. The state signed a law granting civil-unions to same-sex couples.
Within the past two years, the subject of LGBT rights has really been at
the front of American politics. Just to remember some of these events, let's
name some:
1) "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" got repealed;
2) Four states put measures on their state ballots and
won (Minnesota, Maine, Washington, Maryland);
3) The United States Supreme Court will hear the
arguments to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act AND Proposition Eight;
4) President Obama (finally) comes out in support of
Same-sex marriage;
5) Colorado has passed civil unions;
6) Tammy Baldwin becomes the first Openly Gay
Senator in US History (representing Wisconsin);
7) Nebraska is considering granting Same-sex
couples the right of marriage; and
8) Rhode Island will be the next state to allow
Same-sex marriage once it gets past in the state senate.
Notice I end the list with Rhode Island. This
is because I have some news; for the next three months, I'll be in the state of
Rhode Island advocating for the state to pass Same-sex marriage! This is
really exciting as I haven't lived in Rhode Island since 1994. I will be
helping a state extend the basic right of happiness to all its citizens.
I truly believe within the next 15-20 years, this issue will no longer be
an issue. This same "Separate but equal" mindset regarding the
LGBT community is just silly and will be yet another period in American history
where we will not be proud of the way we handle change. in fact, there is
at least one other state considering Same-sex marriage in their own boundaries
[and that state being Illinois].
Disclaimer: As I continue writing, the song "No llores por mí Argentina" :-D
Another major thing that has
happened this week is the election of a new Pope. Now, it is wonderful
that he is the first Pope from Latin America; I wish him well. However,
even this is a setback for the church. I suppose I could also argue that
this strengthens the "Separation of Church & State" argument, but
I won't. :)
Now, Pope Francis I
(former Archbishop of Buenos Aires Jorge Mario Bergoglio) comes
from Argentina. This is the same country that gave us Evita
Perón and that WONDERFUL play that was on
Broadway that I did NOT get to see even though
Ricky Martin was Che (no hard feelings of course…but I will see it soon enough).
Anyway, I digress. Now Argentina has allowed same-sex Marriage since July
2010. The newly-elected Pope was a strong critic and the most vocal
opponent against Argentina's position regarding the extension of marriage to
same-sex couples. I respect the establishment of religion, I truly do,
but in the United States we have a separation of the two. I think that
when a rather high number of your congregation interprets the holy texts in a
different manner that disagree with the official interpretation, it might be
time to review the official stance on the matter. I think the Catholic
Church has done a remarkable thing while at the same time standing resolute.
I salute them for recognizing other minorities such as Hispanics being
able to lead; but, I also think they are proving that just because a high
number of their congregation don't follow their official word on the issue,
they will not give into temptation to change their ways (and by the way, that
pun was not exactly in my head at the time I wrote that). There should be
some sort of adoration for the Church, but since they don't dictate my life,
then I really don't concern myself with what their position is regarding the
matter. As I've stated before, within the next 15-20 years, this will be a moot
point.
Until then, I will be fighting to bring Marriage
Equality to Same-sex couples in the state of Rhode Island & the Providence
Plantations!
By the way, I'm officially a UNC Tarheel fan. After living in North
Carolina for the past 15 years, I've made my decision regarding the whole
Duke/UNC rivalry thing. For me, it's Public Vs. Private and I went with
public. :)
