The Minnesota Senate has just passed legislation in favor of marriage equality. The legislation had already passed the House and now goes to the Governor to sign, who has already vowed to sign to.
It was passed 37-30.
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#marriage #equal rights #lgbtq #lgbt #rights #equality #lesbian #minnesota #USA #marriage equality #equal marriage #queer #gay #same-sex marriageAside from the obvious on why this is completely insulting to the LGBTQ community as well as to the majority of the people in New Hampshire (who are not in favour of this repeal) this is extremely troubling. When the state Senate and House can vote to remove the rights of one minority then they can remove the rights of any minority. What’s to stop them from rescinding interracial marriage? What’s to stop them from allowing Jews to get married?
I’m reminded of the poem below by Martin Niemoller:
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out –
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out –
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out –
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak for me.
The legal argument against marriage equality is being upended by the numerous Christian and Jewish bodies that support LGBT rights.
Way to go United Church of Christ! Good to see religions that support same-sex marriage fighting for their freedom of religion as well. After all if a Church doesn’t want to perform same-sex marriages in a place where it is legal they don’t have to. But, if a Church wants to perform a same-sex marriage in a place where it is illegal they have no options - it is really their religious freedom that is being stepped on.
I have become incredibly sick of the same old arguments that people have made against equal (or same-sex) marriage. So I have decided to debunk some of the arguments. It would be SO refreshing if the media would actually call the idiots who spew this rhetoric on the air out on their BS arguments and used the common sense and (I know this is radical thinking for modern day journalists) actual research/facts I’ve listed below.
1) “It’s redefining the definition of marriage that has existed for thousands of years”
a) The definition you speak of is a definition taken from the Judeo-Christian beliefs. First Nations peoples, Pagans, and the Romans/Greeks all had forms of same-sex marriages.
b) Even if it is redefining the definition that definition has changed increasingly over the years. Women are no longer seen as property. Other traditions that have been around for thousands of years, like women not being able to vote, women not being allowed to own property, child labor, slavery, and women not being able join the military or be elected officials have also been changed (psst the world didn’t end when those traditional institutions were “redefined”).
c) If people want to tout the “traditional” definition of marriage according to the Bible then they should probably understand what those definitions are: According to Gen 29:17-28; II Sam 3:2-5 marriage shall consist of a union between one man and one or more women. In II Sam 5:13; I Kings 11:3; II Chron 11:21 Marriage shall not impede a man’s right to take concubines, in addition to his wife or wives. According to Deut 22:13-21 A marriage shall be considered valid only if the wife is a virgin. If the wife is not a virgin, she shall be executed. Gen 24:3; Num 25:1-9; Ezra 9:12; Neh 10:30 Marriage of a believer and a non-believer shall be forbidden. If you consider Deut 22:19; Mark 10:9 then divorce is not allowed. Gen. 38:6-10; Deut 25:5-10 If a married man dies without children, his brother shall marry the widow. If he refuses to marry his brother’s widow or deliberately does not give her children, he shall pay a fine. Deut 22:28-29 A virgin who is raped must marry her rapist and the rapist must pay victim’s father 50 shekels of silver to make up for his loss.
The Bible also makes mention of a number of godly men who practiced polygamy (had multiple wives), Solomon had 300.
2) “It goes against my religious beliefs”
a) Last I checked the United States of America wasn’t a Theocracy and there was a separation of Church and State. You are welcome to believe what you want however you don’t have the right to inflict your beliefs upon others who don’t see things the same way as you.
b) Your religion, believe it or not, is not the only one in the United States. There are a huge amount of religions out there. Here’s another surprise for you, a number of those religions support same-sex marriage and want to be able to practice their religious belief that same-sex marriage should be performed. By not allowing same-sex marriage the United States of America is actually infringing upon the religious freedoms of people (The United Church of Christ, Unitarian Universalist, Liberal Quakers, Metropolitan Community Church, Conservative Judaism, Reform Judaism, Reconstructionist Judaism, Wicca, various First Nations beliefs, Agnostics, and Atheists).
3) “Marriage exists for procreation”
a) While same-sex couples can’t procreate in the traditional sense of the word (though we can certainly die trying) there are many couples that are raising families, either through surrogacy or adoption.
b) Couples who get married when a woman has reached menopause also can’t conceive, does that mean they shouldn’t be allowed to marry? What about other couples who cannot conceive or just don’t want to have children, should they not be allowed to marry by this argument?
4) “It will destroy the family and lessen my marriage”.
a) If you really think that two people who love each other and having their relationship recognized on the same legal level as yours will lessen your marriage then you have other issues in your marriage you need to worry about.
b) It hasn’t destroyed the family in Canada, Massachusetts, or in any of the other places where is has become legal. In fact Canada’s economy has been doing better than the U.S. and the housing market there didn’t fall into shambles. Toronto (Canada’s gayest city) has the most amount of high rise developments in North America (over 180), hugely eclipsing the closest rival Mexico City, which also allows for same-sex marriage.
Just some food for thought. Like G.I. Joe says “Knowing is half the battle”.
Very proud to be of Scottish decent right now! Kudos to the Scottish for have the guts to move forward with marriage equality, way to show those Brits what for. :)
See the news article here
After a 12-9 vote in the senate, gay couples will be able to marry in Delaware starting this summer.
Yup, the march of progress keeps going on.
For those of you who don’t know Electronic Arts (EA) is a video game company that has produced things like all the EA Sports games, the Battlefield franchise, Mass Effect franchise, SimCity, The Sims, and the list goes on.
You can visit the EA site here.
Both New Zealand and Uruguay law makers have voted to legalize same-sex marriage ushering in marriage equality to the two countries. Currently the bills await approval from the governor general in New Zealand and the President’s signature in Uruguay (both are expected to give approval).
Read more on Uruguay passing same-sex marriage.
Read more on New Zealand passing same-sex marriage.
