Never Blend In
CIVIL UNION versus MARRIAGE
Below is a second extract from my recent article on Prop 8:
CIVIL UNION versus MARRIAGE
Many states have introduced Civil Unions for Gay and Lesbian couples but these do not carry the same legal weight as marriage. Not only that but should the Lesbian and Gay community accept such a semantic compromise?
Malcolm Lazin, Equality Forum, made this point clear in a recent interview. He explained that, “ There is no more fundamental right than the right of an individual to pick the life-partner of their choice. I think that’s supported by the very concept of the founding of this country, which is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And, therefore, same-sex couples should enjoy exactly the same rights. I mean, according to what the adversaries of this are saying is that we should not be able to be married, therefore we should not be able to get Social Security benefits both for our partner and the children of our marriage. They’re saying we should be denied immigration rights, inheritance rights, hospital visitation rights… These are all the things that are part of what a marriage is about. The Federal Government, for example, provides 1138 Federal Marital Protections. Most states provide over 1000 Marital Protections and so, consequently, Gays and Lesbians are being denied those rights.”
Daniel Leary of The Committed to Equality Initiative is in agreement with Lazin and in a recent email told me that, “There are two fundamental differences between marriage and civil unions. The first is a legal difference. Marriage is federally recognized, whereas the definitions for civil unions can vary from state to state. If you are in a civil union, you might have a difficult time sharing custody of a child, or using hospital visitation rights, but more importantly, your relationship might be completely disregarded outside of your state. Marriage carries universal recognition. But aside from legal rights, there is a very important difference between civil unions and gay marriage; they are different. Full stop. Even if they carried total equality under the law, civil unions will never be equal to marriage simply by the fact that they have a different name. Separate water fountains for blacks and whites provided the same water. It was the fact of their separation that dictated the injustice.”
CONCLUSION: A WAY FORWARD
Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don’t give up. Activist and writer, Anne Lamott
The passing of Proposition 8 has ignited strong emotions on all sides and has sparked much needed debate on LGBT Rights in America. When one group in society is treated differently and judged as “less than” then that society is in great danger. The threat is from those who use fear to oppress others and propaganda as a tool and to misinform the public in order to gain support. History is littered with examples of minorities who have suffered persecution from those who claimed to be upholding the rights and beliefs of the “moral majority”.
Just as with the Stonewall Riots in 1969 and the impassioned public response to the assassination of Harvey Milk in 1978, the LGBT Community and straight allies are once again galvanised and prepared to stand up and claim equal rights. There have been marches, vigils and demonstrations across the United States; engineered with military precision. Andy Warhol famously said, “They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself". Many have called this the civil rights issue of the century and compare the struggle to that of the African-American Civil Rights Movement, since their struggle was about far more than just civil rights under law; it also was about fundamental issues of freedom, respect, dignity, and economic and social equality.
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter" Martin Luther King Jr.
Intellectuals, activists and political thinkers are given a voice in the media and, as a result, a greater awareness is growing regarding the diversity within the LGBT Community. It is only through reasoned, balanced and philosophical discussion that preconceptions can be altered and public awareness broadened. Stereotypical views of any group in society limit our understanding of that communities diversity. This steady shift in public perception, and a growing understanding that sexuality is as innate as gender or race, is what will ultimately move society forward. This is not a time for silence but a time to speak out and share our humanity.
"I know that you cannot live on hope alone, but without it, life is not worth living. And you... And you... And you... Gotta give em hope." Harvey Milk
A link to the full article is here http://www.thegaynation.co.uk/features/real-life/article.php?id=333...
CIVIL UNION versus MARRIAGE
Many states have introduced Civil Unions for Gay and Lesbian couples but these do not carry the same legal weight as marriage. Not only that but should the Lesbian and Gay community accept such a semantic compromise?
Malcolm Lazin, Equality Forum, made this point clear in a recent interview. He explained that, “ There is no more fundamental right than the right of an individual to pick the life-partner of their choice. I think that’s supported by the very concept of the founding of this country, which is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And, therefore, same-sex couples should enjoy exactly the same rights. I mean, according to what the adversaries of this are saying is that we should not be able to be married, therefore we should not be able to get Social Security benefits both for our partner and the children of our marriage. They’re saying we should be denied immigration rights, inheritance rights, hospital visitation rights… These are all the things that are part of what a marriage is about. The Federal Government, for example, provides 1138 Federal Marital Protections. Most states provide over 1000 Marital Protections and so, consequently, Gays and Lesbians are being denied those rights.”
Daniel Leary of The Committed to Equality Initiative is in agreement with Lazin and in a recent email told me that, “There are two fundamental differences between marriage and civil unions. The first is a legal difference. Marriage is federally recognized, whereas the definitions for civil unions can vary from state to state. If you are in a civil union, you might have a difficult time sharing custody of a child, or using hospital visitation rights, but more importantly, your relationship might be completely disregarded outside of your state. Marriage carries universal recognition. But aside from legal rights, there is a very important difference between civil unions and gay marriage; they are different. Full stop. Even if they carried total equality under the law, civil unions will never be equal to marriage simply by the fact that they have a different name. Separate water fountains for blacks and whites provided the same water. It was the fact of their separation that dictated the injustice.”
CONCLUSION: A WAY FORWARD
Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don’t give up. Activist and writer, Anne Lamott
The passing of Proposition 8 has ignited strong emotions on all sides and has sparked much needed debate on LGBT Rights in America. When one group in society is treated differently and judged as “less than” then that society is in great danger. The threat is from those who use fear to oppress others and propaganda as a tool and to misinform the public in order to gain support. History is littered with examples of minorities who have suffered persecution from those who claimed to be upholding the rights and beliefs of the “moral majority”.
Just as with the Stonewall Riots in 1969 and the impassioned public response to the assassination of Harvey Milk in 1978, the LGBT Community and straight allies are once again galvanised and prepared to stand up and claim equal rights. There have been marches, vigils and demonstrations across the United States; engineered with military precision. Andy Warhol famously said, “They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself". Many have called this the civil rights issue of the century and compare the struggle to that of the African-American Civil Rights Movement, since their struggle was about far more than just civil rights under law; it also was about fundamental issues of freedom, respect, dignity, and economic and social equality.
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter" Martin Luther King Jr.
Intellectuals, activists and political thinkers are given a voice in the media and, as a result, a greater awareness is growing regarding the diversity within the LGBT Community. It is only through reasoned, balanced and philosophical discussion that preconceptions can be altered and public awareness broadened. Stereotypical views of any group in society limit our understanding of that communities diversity. This steady shift in public perception, and a growing understanding that sexuality is as innate as gender or race, is what will ultimately move society forward. This is not a time for silence but a time to speak out and share our humanity.
"I know that you cannot live on hope alone, but without it, life is not worth living. And you... And you... And you... Gotta give em hope." Harvey Milk
A link to the full article is here http://www.thegaynation.co.uk/features/real-life/article.php?id=333...
Views: 3
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by cyan banister on
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Just sent this out to my Twitter group too (will explain in a bit). I'm so happy you are posting your writing here. You are a true inspiration. Thank you.
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Permalink Reply by Enrique Gutierrez on -
History is littered with examples of minorities who have suffered persecution from those who claimed to be upholding the rights and beliefs of the “moral majority”. - Addressing the foundation of the issue is the best way to attack it, in my book. Rock the fundamental flaws, and build a case by example thereafter to destroy it. This comment, in and of itself, speaks volumes in that regard.
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Permalink Reply by David Watters on -
There is nothing better than to share my writing with like-minded people. The challenge is getting those who have opposing views to read... but in writing articles which are balanced and give all sides a voice, I hope that this can eventually have some impact.
I think this group is a fantastic meeting place and look forward to more conversation.
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Here's an interesting article that someone posted on Twitter about marriage in France:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/13/AR2...
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Permalink Reply by Gail Thomas on -
Hello David,
I have read your comments and articles from time to time. To NOT BE SILENT is very key to achieving full civil rights. I am on the board for a web site
The site is named STITCH - Standing Together In Tolerance Changing Humanity
We have the site with ideas, blogs, chat, etc. But we are growing into a project that will branch out into grass roots activity. We are starting our first local chapter in Northwest Indiana and our first project will be suicide awareness and training. We choose this topic because suicides among GLBT youth is extremely out of proportion. Educating society on signs and ways to help and prevent suicide is greatly needed. We will host this event in Oct. and everyone in the community is invited to attend this free event.
One of the things I wanted to talk about is something I heard on the web that Cleve Jones is calling for a walk on Washington DC. What do you know of this and is someone coordinating this?
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Permalink Reply by David Watters on
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Gail Sorry not to have replied sooner. I don't have an answer to this question but can find out for you. I'm completing my book - NEVER BLEND IN: THE LEGACY OF HARVEY MILK soon but would love your thoughts on LGBT suicide if you'd like to participate. Book has a foreword by Stuart Milk and interviews with a wide range of celebrities and everyday folks. My facebook group is: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=106980051654&ref=mf#!/group.php?gid=106980051654&ref=mf and you can link to my FB page through that. Hope to speak soon, David
Gail Thomas said:Hello David,
I have read your comments and articles from time to time. To NOT BE SILENT is very key to achieving full civil rights. I am on the board for a web site
The site is named STITCH - Standing Together In Tolerance Changing Humanity
We have the site with ideas, blogs, chat, etc. But we are growing into a project that will branch out into grass roots activity. We are starting our first local chapter in Northwest Indiana and our first project will be suicide awareness and training. We choose this topic because suicides among GLBT youth is extremely out of proportion. Educating society on signs and ways to help and prevent suicide is greatly needed. We will host this event in Oct. and everyone in the community is invited to attend this free event.
One of the things I wanted to talk about is something I heard on the web that Cleve Jones is calling for a walk on Washington DC. What do you know of this and is someone coordinating this?
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