I've been saying it for a while: gays are the new blacks. The subculture that defines America as its Other; the group that it's OK to laugh at a stereotype, or to hate with a wink, or to fear with fascination. And yet the group that we look to for an "authentic" culture. Today's metrosexual is the equivalent of the "wiggers," white suburban teens listening to angry hip-hop. "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy"? I can imagine the equivalent: "Black 'Tude for the White Dude," in which 5 African-Americans tutor a white guy on how to dress, what music to listen to, etc.
So here's my prediction:Bush's call for a constitutional amendment outlawing gay marriage is election-year fright-mongering, Constitution-bashing, and discrimination at its worst. Why does he feel the need to throw red meat to the religious right? Are they going to vote for someone else? (TPM notes that even Tom Delay is backpedaling on this one.) Does he think this will win over undecided voters? This is wrong. This is madness. He wants to print a Bush-Cheney election poster, using the Constitution for paper.
Someday, we'll look back on this like we look back on anti-miscegenation laws.
Let me be clear: I think gay people should be able to get married. I think if San Francisco and Massachusetts want to recognize gay marriages, fine. The rest of California and the rest of the nation can consider those marriages null and void if they want to. What the hell do we need an amendment for?
But here's my worry: the reason this is coming now is because Kerry is in the lead. I think they'll try and link gay marriage in MA to Kerry (never mind that he's opposed to it, or that as a US Senator he's got nothing to do with what the state court rules.) They'll just keep repeating, "Gay Marriage, Massachusetts, Massachusetts Liberal, Kerry" until it sinks in. Willie Horton redux.
So, is this a reason to vote for Edwards on Tuesday?
| Race & Ethnicity | George W. Bush | Law | 2004 Election | Marriage | John Kerry | John Edwards |
Mike, It's not about votes it's about money. Nothing like fear to make the mildly right open up their pocket books to make a contribution.
Also, if I may indulge in stereotyping, he might be going after the vote of the blue coller worker who says to himself "Hey I am worse off now than I was 4 years ago, I'm going to vote for Kerry. But wait, if I vote for Kerry then the local gay couple is going to be given as much respect as me and my wife. NO WAY, I'm voting for Bush"
Mike,
Before you think about voting for Edwards in hopes of nullifying what Bush is hoping to be the Mother of all Wedge Issues, check out Edwards' response to the question:
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/president/articles/2004/02/26/gay_marriage_issue_trips_up_senator/
At least Kerry can give a decent answer. Personally, I think this is going to backfire on the Prez as the cynicism of the move should be blatantly obvious to all, but it could be more wishful thinking more than anything.
Comment #2 :: link :: February 26, 2004 06:30 PMMy son got this from a friend and sent it to me:
12 reasons why gay people should not be allowed to get married:
1. Homosexuality is not natural, much like eyeglasses, polyester, and birth control.
2. Heterosexual marriages are valid becasue they produce children. Infertile couples and old people can't legally get married because the world needs more children.
3. Obviously, gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.
4. Straight marriage will be less meaningful if Gay marriage is allowed, since Britney Spears' 55-hour just-for-fun marriage was meaningful.
5. Heterosexual marriage has been around a long time and hasn't changed at all; women are property, blacks can't marry whites, and divorce is illegal.
6. Gay marriage should be decided by people, not the courts, because the majority-elected legislatures, not courts, have historically protected the rights of the minorities.
7. Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire counrty. That's why we have only one religion in America.
8. Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.
9. Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.
10. Children can never suceed without a male and a female role model at home. That's why single parents are forbidden to raise children.
11. Gay marriage will change the foundation of society. Heterosexual marriage has been around for a long time, and we could never adapt to new social norms because we haven't adapted to things like cars or longer lifespans.
12. Civil unions, providing most of the same benefits as marriage with a different name are better, because a "seperate but equal" institution is always constitutional. Seperate schools for African-Americans worked just as well as seperate marriages for gays and lesbians will.
Comment #3 :: link :: February 26, 2004 07:10 PMHonestly, I believe there is a very sound intellectual basis for the position that government shouldn't be in the marriage business at all - they should *only* offer civil unions/domestic partnerships.
The legal part of a "marriage" is a pretty paltry affair - you sign a piece of paper that is counter-signed by a recognized officiant. Dresses and altars and vows and rings and parties have nothing to do with it.
I would love to see governments just group together the current "bundle of legal rights" commonly associated with marriage, assign them some neutral term like "civil union" or "domestic partnership," and leave the word "marriage" to the realm of culture/religion/custom where (IMHO) it belongs.
Of course, I recognize that ain't gonna happen in my lifetime, but then again, a lot of reasonable and logical things aren't likely to happen in my lifetime, so why not add this to the list?
My favorite twisted logic in this debate? The argument that it's perfectly legal for gays to marry -- they just can't marry each other. If they could only find some nice girl to settle down with, we wouldn't have any of this nonsense.
Comment #5 :: link :: February 27, 2004 01:53 PM
