A look at the battle for equal rights…
With the budget signed Monday by Gov. Jim Doyle, Wisconsin has become the first state with a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage and civil unions to put in place domestic partnerships for same-sex couples. Wisconsin is also the first Midwestern state to legislatively put in place legal protections for same-sex couples. Starting Aug. 1, couples will be able to apply for a declaration of domestic partnership with their county of residence and would pay a vital records fee for processing the paperwork. Partnerships will be dissolved through a termination process at the county clerk’s office. Couples would be offered 43 of the more than 200 rights and benefits extended to married couples, such as allowing domestic partners to take family and medical leave to care for a seriously ill partner, make end-of-life decisions and add health care coverage.
What this basically means is that in the state of Wisconsin, Gay couples can look married, act married, and receive many of the benefits of being married. There is a process, just like marriage. The state gets to charge their fees for the licenses (which aren’t actually licenses). These gay couples, who aren’t actually married, can effectively get a divorce.
Perhaps I’m missing something here. For the record, I favor gay marriage. I believe that in today’s society, the gay community has become a significant section of our populace, and to refuse the same rights as straight couples is blatant discrimination. I’m sure I’m opening myself to the ire of the right wing fundamentalists here, but they are completely missing the point.
These people need to realize what a precious gift the ability to freely practice the religion of their choice is. They are able to do so for several reasons, not the least of which is that the United States has a concept called ‘The separation of church and government’. The government of our great nation exists outside of the bounds of organized faith… which is exactly the reason that Muslims, Jews, catholics, and even groups like the Mormons and Jehovah’s witnesses can exist side by side the way we do.
The issue of gay marriage is, without question, a religious issue. While I am in favor of it as a political issue, if asked to make a moral judgement I would be much more on the fence. (although in the end I would probably still vote in favor, liberal that I am) But these opponents are trying to have their cake and eat it, too, and seemingly believe that is their right to impose their moral view upon society when they see fit. But where does it end? Where is the line that can’t be crossed? What areas can and can’t they impose their beliefs?
Having made my point of view obvious, the point of this piece is this…. I have read numerous gay rights activists refer to this as a major victory, and I wholeheartedly disagree. A small victory, yes. But in the end, the religious majority is still able to put their huge moral foot on the neck of gay marriage. This is ever so reminiscent of the way America ‘freed’ the slaves…. they were no longer property, but remained something less than citizens. Have we not evolved beyond such blunt, basic discrimination? We will allow these people to serve in the military, as long as they shut up about it. And now they can be together as a couple, but not like the rest of us. Am I the only one who has ever heard the farcical statement ’seperate but equal’?
This country of ours, as great as it is, still disappoints me at times. We pride ourselves in being an enlightened, open minded culture, yet we willingly succumb to a form of religious tyrany… the kind we all fled to America to escape. And we impose it upon ourselves. How sad.
And as to the idiots who have commented or will comment about how God disapproves of homosexuality, I would just like to point out something which many Christians and other gay-bashers seem to ignore: yes, many gay relationships are all about the sex (just as many straight relationships are), and yes, even by fair standards they may be considered “sinful.” Others, however, are relationships based fully on an unconditional love (just as are the purest of straight relationships- see the connection yet?). It’s a shame that some of you see love and think it’s disgusting just because it’s the wrong kind of love. After all, YOUR GOD IS LOVE, isn’t he? And if the problem is all that sex outside of wedlock, then somebody needs to punch you in the face because that’s your own damn fault.
And that’s what I have to say about that. 
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