Mayor Wow:
I never thought I’d say this but good for Gavin Newsom. This takes guts. Should these long lines and lousy weather continue, I’m going to volunteer to help out somehow. Maybe serving breakfast or something.
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I’ve been following the story from afar. I don’t know anything about Newsom, but I’m glad to see that some politician has actually taken real action to advance gay marriage, rather than just talking about how they support “civil unions” but doing nothing substantive to stop Defense of Marriage laws from being enacted. It’s also about time that the conservatives had to file a few lawsuits to defend what they think is right, rather than the liberals. 25 years from now, the politicians who are rushing to oppose gay rights will be remembered in the same way that we remember the likes George Wallace and Strom Thurmond – as people who let their own ambition and personal prejudices blind them to basic civil rights.
I’ve been following the story from afar. I don’t know anything about Newsom, but I’m glad to see that some politician has actually taken real action to advance gay marriage, rather than just talking about how they support “civil unions” but doing nothing substantive to stop Defense of Marriage laws from being enacted. It’s also about time that the conservatives had to file a few lawsuits to defend what they think is right, rather than the liberals. 25 years from now, the politicians who are rushing to oppose gay rights will be remembered in the same way that we remember the likes George Wallace and Strom Thurmond – as people who let their own ambition and personal prejudices blind them to basic civil rights.
Exactly.
Exactly.
Yes, I must say Gavin Newsom has done something good which outweighs all my previous complaints about him.
I’m taking Friday off; let’s stroll on down to City Hall and see if there’s a big line and if we can help people out by holding places while they take bathroom/food/getting dry breaks or bring people coffee or whatever seems to need to be done.
Yes, I must say Gavin Newsom has done something good which outweighs all my previous complaints about him.
I’m taking Friday off; let’s stroll on down to City Hall and see if there’s a big line and if we can help people out by holding places while they take bathroom/food/getting dry breaks or bring people coffee or whatever seems to need to be done.
Jer, I hope you’re right about history’s verdict but have my doubts. The civil rights movement won broad support thanks to prominent religious figures. Its most celebrated leader was a Reverend.
By contrast, Christian literalists site passages in the Bible ad nauseum condemning homosexuality and promoting the sanctity of marriage. And somehow they just can’t leave this one alone. While you or I wouldn’t see things their way, a lot of people do. I think 25 years from now we’ll see dueling versions of history.
Jer, I hope you’re right about history’s verdict but have my doubts. The civil rights movement won broad support thanks to prominent religious figures. Its most celebrated leader was a Reverend.
By contrast, Christian literalists site passages in the Bible ad nauseum condemning homosexuality and promoting the sanctity of marriage. And somehow they just can’t leave this one alone. While you or I wouldn’t see things their way, a lot of people do. I think 25 years from now we’ll see dueling versions of history.
Justin – The Big J himself said “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself”; can you think of a better religious justification for homosexuality? (“Judge not, lest ye be judged” is also a useful one to throw back at self-appointed guardians of Christian morality.)
Biblically, I’ve always found it interesting that all the condemnations of homosexuality come from the Old Testament or from Paul’s letters. Jesus himself was pretty quiet on the subject. Pointing this out won’t win any converts from the devout, since they regard the whole shebang as divine word, but it’s interesting.
On this side of the country, I’ve noticed that most of the news reports seem to be emphasizing the human interest angle, the “my partner and I have been together for 30 years and are finally able to make it official” angle. (Though it would probably be different if I read the Washington Times instead of the Post.) Stories that emphasize long-term fidelity among homosexuals does absolutely nothing to help the zealots’ cause.
Justin – The Big J himself said “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself”; can you think of a better religious justification for homosexuality? (“Judge not, lest ye be judged” is also a useful one to throw back at self-appointed guardians of Christian morality.)
Biblically, I’ve always found it interesting that all the condemnations of homosexuality come from the Old Testament or from Paul’s letters. Jesus himself was pretty quiet on the subject. Pointing this out won’t win any converts from the devout, since they regard the whole shebang as divine word, but it’s interesting.
On this side of the country, I’ve noticed that most of the news reports seem to be emphasizing the human interest angle, the “my partner and I have been together for 30 years and are finally able to make it official” angle. (Though it would probably be different if I read the Washington Times instead of the Post.) Stories that emphasize long-term fidelity among homosexuals does absolutely nothing to help the zealots’ cause.
Averred Jer: “Pointing this out won’t win any converts from the devout, since they regard the whole shebang as divine word…”
Except for those pesky little prohibitions of divorce and wearing blended fabrics, the edicts that wives are men’s property and so forth.
Anyway, as Lynn Lavner so astutely reminded us long ago, the Bible contains six admonitions concerning homosexuals and homosexual activitiy and 362 admonitions concerning heterosexuals and heterosexual activity. “I do not mean to imply by this that God doesn’t love heterosexuals,” she said. “It’s just that they seem to require a great deal more supervision.”
Averred Jer: “Pointing this out won’t win any converts from the devout, since they regard the whole shebang as divine word…”
Except for those pesky little prohibitions of divorce and wearing blended fabrics, the edicts that wives are men’s property and so forth.
Anyway, as Lynn Lavner so astutely reminded us long ago, the Bible contains six admonitions concerning homosexuals and homosexual activitiy and 362 admonitions concerning heterosexuals and heterosexual activity. “I do not mean to imply by this that God doesn’t love heterosexuals,” she said. “It’s just that they seem to require a great deal more supervision.”
What a wonderful day! Kevin and I got to City Hall sometime around 11:30 or so. I think he acted as witness for at least four marriages. Pretty good for a guy who thought he was just going to shake hands, give hugs and say “Welcome to San Francisco. We’re glad you’re here.” 🙂
What a wonderful day! Kevin and I got to City Hall sometime around 11:30 or so. I think he acted as witness for at least four marriages. Pretty good for a guy who thought he was just going to shake hands, give hugs and say “Welcome to San Francisco. We’re glad you’re here.” 🙂
I’m so glad to hear that you had the chance to be involved with this, Kevin. I find it frustrating that aside from emailing lawmakers and scrounging up a few bucks for the Human Rights Campaign there’s so little I can do to make my opinion count at such a crucial time. I hope that Jer is right, and that in 25 years — or less! — discrimination against homosexuals will be filed historically under “what were we thinking?!?”.
I’m so glad to hear that you had the chance to be involved with this, Kevin. I find it frustrating that aside from emailing lawmakers and scrounging up a few bucks for the Human Rights Campaign there’s so little I can do to make my opinion count at such a crucial time. I hope that Jer is right, and that in 25 years — or less! — discrimination against homosexuals will be filed historically under “what were we thinking?!?”.
We can only hope. Although I’d say we’re off to a strong start.
We can only hope. Although I’d say we’re off to a strong start.