Cheers and Jeers Over Marriage for Queers

Sorry about the title of this post in advance, but if you are offended, I'm taking back "queer" from the hatemongers.

Anyway, here's the cheers: former New York State Senate Majority Leader, Republican Joe Bruno, was reported in yesterday's New York Daily News as coming out in favor of gay marriage. Good going!!

While he privately opposes gay marriage, he stated: "However, that view really does conflict with the rights that are afforded all of us. This is America (damn straight), and we have inalienable rights. Life is short, and we should all be afforded the same opportunities to enjoy it."

I do not think I have ever heard a more concise, nor poignant, argument in favor of gay marriage. While stating he has private reservations, he goes the extra mile, recognizing freedom and liberty are not about comfortability, but rather other people. And in so doing, realizing that failing to grant them the same rights as others is anything but "American."

So here's to Joe Bruno.

And now the jeers: to the Commander in Chief, for arguing in Federal Court in a lawsuit brought by a California couple seeking to overturn the odious Defense of MArriage Act. And not just arguing, but arguing a specious train of thought, namely that states may favor heterosexual marriages bcause they are the "traditional and universally recognized form of marriage."

Okaaaay. Where is any of that written except by some homophobic holy rollers in the late 20th century USA (who were taking a page from blackophobic holy rollers from the early 20th century USA)? Last time I checked, most jurisdictions require a marriage license and a ceremony, except those that still recognize common law marriage, which, last time I checked is the "traditional" form of marriage. So can I still shack up and be considered married? Or do I have to shell out for the ring?

And universal? Where in the universe is the form of marriage set in stone? The Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints believes in traditional marriage, where a man can have as many wives as he wants, as young as he wants. Like in Biblical times and such. And those guys are in Texas, among other places. Not to mention how marriage works under Shariah Law in the Mid-East and Afghanistan.

And to use caselaw comparing gay marriage to incestuous relationships? Why not just go and dig up some of those anti-miscegenation cases while you are at it? Disgusting.

And of course, this is all without mentioning President Obama's pledge to the homosexual community during his campaign, which now seems to have been a sham. Say it ain't so, Barry.

So I am urging President Obama to reverse his course, end "don't ask, don't tell" in military service, and work to repeal the facially un-Constitutional Defense of Marriage Act rather than submit briefs in its defense.