Happy Gays

2011 is turning out to be the year of raised arms and hands or fists in either celebratory or protesting glory across the world. The much anticipated passage of gay marriage in New York State last night is one more example of mass excitement. How appropriate to pass gay marriage during U.S. Gay Pride events which are happening right now.

There is nothing to flog when it involves the legal right for human beings to love and live in equality. Any floggings will be aimed at those who disagree with fundamental rights for gays to be joined in more than a basic “civil union.” But rather than rain on the gay parade, I’ll wait until the usual public naysayer’s have exhausted their droning chants to drown out the happy squeals of delight that reverberated around the U.S. last night before hurling the Flogging Whip in their direction.

In the interim, the words of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York best express my feelings and attitude:  "New York has always led the way for equal rights - from leading the suffrage movement, to Abraham Lincoln's remarkable speech opposing slavery speech at Cooper Union - and we have done it again. I want to thank Governor Cuomo for his extraordinary leadership and unwavering commitment to marriage equality which brought home this great victory. I also want to thank the committed advocates who worked day in and day out, and all of the New York State lawmakers - Democrats and Republicans - who came together to uphold the fundamental American values of equality and justice for all.

"New York State has sent a powerful message to the rest of the nation. The right to get married and start a family is a basic, human right that must be shared by all Americans. Every loving, committed couple in America deserves this right. And no politician should stand in the way of this fact.

"Marriage under the law is the foundation for strong families. I will continue to help lead the fight in Washington to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act so that all loving and committed marriages in New York are recognized by the federal government."

Amazing that New York is late to the game in legalizing gay marriage, isn’t it? The sixth state to step forward in the legal arena has a reputation around the world as a liberal, “anything goes” place. Not really. The State of New York is not Manhattan.

The same battle exists in California where gay marriage was legal in 2010 for approx. a second and a half in the larger view of things. Barely enough time for those who wanted to wed to get thee to a judge or pastor. One would think that in a state where Hollywood and San Francisco exist it would be easy to overturn the on-the-ballet in 2008 passed Proposition 8* – but no. California is a huge mix of people, and many are extremely conservative, deeply religious. Even in Hollywood. Just ask Mel Gibson. Or, maybe not. But you get the point.

Gay communities and peoples all over the planet still have many rivers to cross before acceptance in society and the courts bring equality to their lives. This latest step forward in progress is just the beginning.

Congratulations to gay New Yorkers! May you wed with more sincerity in your union than many heterosexuals have shown over the years in the much lauded “sanctity of marriage” argument considering the astounding divorce rate in America.**

*Basics of Prop 8: Proposition 8 eliminated the Rights of Same-Sex Couples to Marry (named by proponents as the “California Marriage Protection Act“). The ballot measure also included a provision, Section 7.5 of the Declaration of Rights, to the California Constitution, which provides that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”


** Per the Enrichment Journal on the divorce rate in America:
First marriage divorce rate - 41%
Second marriage divorce rate - 60%
Third marriage divorce rate - 73%


General post sources: AP/The Huffington Post
Image: Mike Groll - AP Photo