Big Day for Gays

Today, the Supreme Court's decisions on two anti-same-sex-marriage laws were publicly read.  It was much anticipated.  The results?  The Defense of Marriage Act was deemed unconstitutional by a 5-4 vote, and California's Proposition 8 was also struck down for the same reason.  (Prop 8, I believe, was an after-the-fact denunciation of same-sex marriages that had already been legalized in that state.)

I'm sorry I can't be more detailed.  I haven't really been following the story closely.  Why?  Because I already knew the outcome.  Although, as a country, we haven't always lived up to our own rhetoric, we have one Constitution that covers every citizen--male, female, gay, straight, of all human colors.  There could be no resolution other than what came down today and still consider ourselves the land of the free.  Time to put our money where our collective mouth is.

Look...I don't care what your reasoning, politics, or religion is.  You can dislike homosexuality all you like, but it is not your job to fix it or legislate it.  The verdict is still out on what causes it--nature or nurture.  (I'm inclined to believe that people are born that way, but who knows?)  My hairdresser is gay; many of my former students are gay.  So??  Their gayness does not affect my life one little bit!  I am 66 years old and have never been approached by a lesbian for a romantic reason, and even if I had, I would simply have said, "No thanks.  I'm not gay."  So where does homophobia come from?  Are people afraid it will rub off on them by osmosis?? 

Maybe I'd be more protective of the definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman had we heterosexuals not made such a mess of things.  The divorce rate in this "Christian" country of ours is well over 50%.  Daytime TV, talk shows, Facebook posts, and other indicators of our collective health as a nation that supposedly values marriage and family is rife with infidelity.  Political frontrunners have fallen due to their marital indiscretions.  I'm convinced that the downfall of civilization will happen because people prefer to do what feels good rather than what is right.  If I thought for a second that allowing gays to marry would risk our American way of life, such as it is, I'd be waving the first flag in the parade. 

We all fear what we do not understand.  So if we do not understand, why do we get in the way?  I am a Christian.  The Old Testament mentions homosexuality as being "an abomination to the Lord".  BUT, so is cutting one's beard, eating pork, mixing meat and milk, and a thousand other things that modern society pays no attention to.  Jesus said absolutely nothing about homosexuality.  Nothing!  I choose to think that his admonition to love each other, turn the other cheek, forgive your enemies, and give what you have to help others means everyone--not just those who are not gay. 

Today's rulings by the Supreme Court begin a new dialogue.  Interesting.  This country is 237 years old...and we are only just now getting around to this???