I promise that I won't rant a lot about politics other than this post. I am sure it won't come as a big surprise to many of you that I am a liberal. You have likely seen my compost bin, cloth diapers, lack of many disposable products in my home, unshaven legs (I normally would shave, but Fritz HATES the shower and screams the entire time I am in there, so there is just no time).... I am a tree hugger. I love nature... other than snakes, those little buggers I could do without. I love people. I think we should feed the hungry and provide medical treatment to the sick. If these things shock you about me then either you don't know me very well OR I really need to work on the impressions I leave on people. I am voting "NO" on the marriage amendment in the state of MN this next week. Voting "no" will not legalize gay marriage. It won't change anything in Minnesota. It will only stop our constitution from being changed to more strictly define marriage.
I recently shared an experience on my facebook page about my daughter making a comment about "homophobic candy" coming from homes with a "Vote Yes" sign and how she wouldn't eat this candy. Many people were supportive and then a few people became really offended by my 10 year old child's politics and ideals.
I am sorry if your feelings were hurt by my child stating that those signs were homophobic. It doesn't feel good to feel criticized or like people are calling names. However, there is another pain I would like you to imagine for a moment. Think of your wonderful husband/wife and imagine for just a moment that they were in a horrible accident. This is the person you have built your everything with. They are your best friend, lover, and your family. Now, imagine the hospital won't let you into the room because the state doesn't recognize your family. That hurts. Imagine it is your child who was in the accident and the hospital won't let you in because you are not the biological parent. This is easy for adoptive parents to imagine or parents who have had to use donated sperm or eggs to conceive..... they are YOUR kids (not in DNA, but in every other way)..... but what if the state decided not to recognize that? That certainly brings more pain than being called homophobic.
I support religious freedoms. If your church does not want to perform marriages between same-sex couples, that is a-okay with me (I won't be a member of your church, but I would support your church's right to be this way). I support your right to believe that homosexuality is a sin. I do not support people trying to impose their religious beliefs on the entire state. What if my religion didn't recognize 2nd or 3rd marriages? Should I lead a campaign to have these marriages lose any legal recognition? What if I am just trying to protect you from the sin of divorce and save you from a hot eternity? I will not debate out if homosexuality is a sin. That view really depends on what your religious views are and we are supposed to have separation of church and state. This is a legal matter we are voting on, not a religious opinion. Also, we aren't voting on if homosexuality is 'icky' or not, although one would think we were.
When people talk about the sanctity of marriage, I often find myself shaking my head. If the two ladies down the street are allowed to officially wed one another and gain legal rights to the property of one another..... this affects my marriage how, again? My husband and I have been married since 2000 and have been a couple since 1999. First marriage for both of us. We are boring and completely monogamous (right, Joe???) but with a rich relationship. It is not cheapened by what other people do. It does not matter in my marriage if people get married or divorced.... we are who we are and we have what we have. I would like for more people to be able to experience what I have.
Anyhow, I am voting "NO" because it doesn't affect me. It doesn't hurt me to allow others to have the same rights that I enjoy as a married person. Heck, voting "NO" doesn't even change anything. I don't see a reason to change our constitution. I have hopes that the future will bring more love and compassion, but at least for this year, I don't want there to be more hate.
Nice blog Erica! Well written. I'm just writing a quick response. Though I'm am on the conservative side of the issue, I appreciate a pleasant well articulated point of view. And you have some interesting points. Especially if it really doesn't make a difference. What's the point right? However, I'm a bit uneducated on what's going on in your state, but I know in Washington we already have something that's called "The Everything But Marriage Act" that give's gays all the same right's as marriage. Which I have NO problem with! But apparently that's not good enough. They HAVE to have homosexual marriage. (R74) So it's sort of the same issue...what's the point?
ReplyDeletePs. I also appreciate that you state what you believe and call yourself a Liberal.Say what you mean...mean what you say and if your not sure, you're not sure. For some reason many Liberals are afraid to admit it. Especially the one's in politics!
ReplyDeleteSorry to be delayed in responding... busy week with work! I guess the question I would pose to you for what is happening in Washington is: How would it change your personal life, your personal relationships, or impact you if gay marriage is allowed? Does it make your marriage any less filled with love or any less recognized by God? And if it doesn't harm you in any way, then what about just letting them have what they want? What about maybe seeing it as an exercise in compassion and tolerance? Leave the decisions/judgments about right and wrong up to God. (and tone is impossible to read, so just know I am not angry while writing this, just posing some questions as they come to mind)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I have never had a problem stating that I am a liberal. I don't feel like it is a dirty word or anything. I would say "democrat," but honestly, I tend to lean even further to the left then that... Green Party tends to be where my heart is. :)