dave wrote:
> the biggest message however was the
> extreme brutality that someone who has different leanings can be
> treated - e.g. ripping someone's penis off? what kind of animal does
> that? is it only in this country that this kind of cruelty happens or
> what?
It happens ALL OVER the planet, as homophobia is the most widespread
mental illness than any other form of hatred. Our enemies at war are
called "homos" in order to demonize them! Now, what kind of vulgarity
is this, and why should gays defend a nation that regards queers as
nothing more than cheap cannon fodder?
But these are the times to OVERTHROW such bigotry, and thus make it a
much SAFER and FRIENDLIER world than has ever existed. Here's my essay
re. gay marriage, and why this issue is the FULCRUM on which all other
civil rights are now balanced.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Permission granted by author for anyone to distribute this
writing free of charge (including translation into any
language)...under condition that no profit is made therefrom,
and that it remain intact and complete, including title and
credit to the original author.
Ezekiel J. Krahlin
http://www.gay-bible.org
--------------------------------------------------------------
GAY MARRIAGE BY ANY OTHER NAME
-or-
LETTER TO THE PHARISEES
(Jehovah's Queer Witness)
December 9, 2004
Dear Editor,
WE THE PEOPLE FOR A SANE WORLD officially declare 100% support
for gay marriage, as a civil right and a birthright. Those
religious institutions that condemn such partnerships are in
flagrant violation of the US Constitution's first amendment,
which states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion." Furthermore, said institutions
often encourage attitudes of hatred and promotion of violence
against sexual minorities in many other ways, and have a long
history of such. And these "godly" organizations remain, as
they have for untold centuries, the major and sole cause of
virulent homophobia.
Amerika would not tolerate such ugly behavior by a religious
group towards any other minority, in our modern day. And it is
one important tenet of so-called activist judges, to protect a
minority from the tyranny of the majority. Especially when
such a minority is more universally hated than any other; as
are homosexuals, transsexuals and bisexuals. In fact, as
oppressed as many minorities remain, most still cling to
backward and hateful notions against even their own non-hetero
brethren.
The issue of gay marriage has become a glaring example of
dangers that arise when church matters are not kept separate
from those of the state. Indeed, it has become The Great Test
Of Today's Amerika regarding the issue of individual rights
versus majority prejudice. And if we keep moving in that sorry
direction much longer, we are likely to see a full-blown
holocaust against these long-suffering people.
But progressives of all stripes must also share considerable
shame, for sometimes participating in homophobic actions (at
worst), or looking the other way too often (at best). To
rectify this, we stand with other responsible liberals and
moderates, who take up the cause of gay equality starting with
marriage, in brave and aggressive manners. Even some churches
are finally joining in, thus answering to their savior's
message of compassion. I hope this will mark a sea-change in
attitude regarding our sexual minorities.
We stand with good folks like Assemblyman Mark Leno, with good
organizations like Marriage Equality California, and with good
media venues like Air Amerika (and KGO) Radio.
We demand an apology from certain politicians within our own
democratic party, such as:
- a senator who suggested that gay marriage is directly
responsible for the Election Fiasco.
- a presidential debater who declared he is Catholic and against
gay marriage.
- a former president who signed the blatantly homophobic
"Defense of Marriage Act" and the destructive policy of
"Don't Ask Don't Tell."
- a queer-politico turncoat who likewise blames gay marriage for
Kerry's Fall From Grace.
We reiterate: none of these four examples are of Republicans;
in fact they are all regarded as staunch Democrats.
All truly progressive people will not tolerate any more
homophobia from our own liberal groups and representatives,
and must therefore, if need be, not just condemn but separate
ourselves from those who continue to harbor anti-gay
attitudes. We must be as clear, as strong, and as steadfast
regarding gay marriage, as we have been these many years
against racism, misogyny, child abuse, capital punishment, and
preemptive declarations of war. For it has become all too
obvious that condemnation of gay marriage is a red herring to
distract us from the real agenda: removal of all LGBT rights
to mark them as second-class citizens in perpetuity. And then,
the elimination of all rights for every other citizen, except
a remnant of the power elite.
We will no longer tolerate frivolous and mean-sprited
arguments questioning whether or not gays can marry, whether
or not they deserve equal status as human beings, and whether
or not they shall go to heaven. Such debates hold no validity
in any civilized nation, as they are founded on a premise that
is blatantly erroneous from the start, for it flies in the
face of common sense and compassion. Nor shall we ever again
engage any discussion over partnerships termed and defined as
something resembling marriage, but not ever equal to. In other
words "separate AND unequal." In short:
Marriage by any other name just doesn't cut the mustard.
Most sincerely,
Ezekiel J. Krahlin
Queer Voice in the Oscar-Wilderness
---finis
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