So what's all the fuss about Civil Unions and Gay Marriage? They are essentially the same thing, aren't they? According to the author of Gay Marriage vs. Civil Union: An Argument of Semantics, it is just a matter of semantics (and discrimination). "I find it sad that in this day and age Americans are splitting hairs over semantics and allowing one word to stand in the way of happiness and equality for a large number of deserving, law-abiding American citizens who just so happen to love someone of the same sex... The word marriage is merely a scapegoat in the fight for gay civil unions. Take that one word away and what is left to argue over but the fears and prejudices of many Americans. American politicians know it is not politically correct to gay-bash so they quibble over a single word to give the illusion of right and wrong."
But are civil unions really the same thing or is it a matter of "separate but equal"? Civil Unions vs. Gay Marriage argues that civil unions are anything but equal to marriage... civil unions fail to ensure equal rights in a multitude of arenas.
Are civil unions the necessary first step? Or is it merely a politically correct and socially sanctioned way to discriminate?
Again, I hope we as a nation can continue to work towards equal rights for all people. Workplaces are unable to discriminate against race, age, gender, religion, or sexual preference. But, yet, we continue to withhold the GLBT population from their equal rights to marriage. We should look at our historical context. African Americans had to fight for equal rights (though, you can argue that they are far from receiving them yet). Religious organizations as well as many other groups opposed this (see - civil war). There will always be opposition when a group of lesser power seeks equality (also, see - woman's lib).
ReplyDeleteGive this time, maybe a generation or two, and our children will look back on this movement (GLBT marital equality) in a similar way to other equality movements. In 20 years people won't throw around the word "Gay" to describe something as negative unless they wish to be chastised by the general population. People will generally accept GLBT marriages as common in society. The people still opposing this will be in the minority.........one can hope.
Along those lines...it was a busy news day yesterday!
ReplyDeleteSalt Lake County approved the extension of benefits to domestic partners and live-in relatives of county employees.
House Bill 267 which would have added gender expression/identity and sexual orientation to the state's discrimination act to protect gay employees in the workplace was killed with a 8-5 vote in committee.
And the Utah Pride Center (Salt Lake City) wsa burglarized over the weekend. A police spokesman is quoted as say, "We are just trying to emphasize that we don't want to jump to any conclusions before we can gather all the evidence."
Meanwhile, H.J.R. 2 Joint Resolution to Amend the Marriage Provision of the Utah Consititution STILL sits in the House.