Lesson of hope from "Milk"

Just over a week ago I saw the new movie starring Sean Penn, "Milk."  For those who may not be familiar, it is the story of the first openly gay elected public official, Harvey Milk.

In the movie we experience Milk's attempts at running for office, until finally winning in 1977.  The film goes on to show the struggle that was California Proposition 6 in 1978, better known as The Briggs Initiative.

Prop 6 was an attempt, introduced by conservative state legislator John Briggs, to ban homosexuals and anyone who supported them from teaching or working in California's public schools.  The Briggs Initiative failed in California, but Oklahoma and Arkansas actually passed such measures prior to 1978.

The film roused within me myriad emotions.  Sadness, anger, confusion, excitement, empathy, and perhaps most the most prominent, hope.

California's Proposition 6 in 1978 was an awful thing, no discussion should be needed on that point.  As a former teacher, the thought of not being able to practice such an honorable profession because I'm gay is deeply distressing.  This is a profession that is starving for thoughtful, compassionate people to join its ranks, and to think that there were once individuals who believed gay people (or anyone who supported them) shouldn't be allowed to do so is frankly disgusting.

Enter: hope.  You see, I felt hope because I think you would be hard pressed to find people today who would even consider proposing such an initiative.  Well, perhaps with the exception of Michele Bachmann.  But the important thing to take from this is that progress has been achieved.  The view of homosexuality in the United States has come a long way since the days of Anita Bryant and John Briggs.  I'm certainly not suggesting that the journey to equality is complete or even close for that matter.  However, the finish line doesn't seem quite as far off as it once did.

So, in the words of Harvey Milk, "I'm here to recruit you."  Let us join together as one people, Americans, and finish this journey to ensure equality for all.  Many thought we would never be where we are today, let's show them that we can reach the finish line.

NC more progressive than I thought

The Associated Press reports that the city of Carrboro, North Carolina, has passed a resolution supporting gay marriage, sending it off to the state and federal government.

The bill was introduced by Alderwoman Jacqui Gist after California voters passed Proposition 8, amending the constitution to ban same-sex marriage. The resolution was supported and signed by Mayor Mark Chilton, and reads:

"Whereas, the denial of such benefits has been demonstrated to have significant psychological and social impact on the physical, social, and economic well-being of gay and lesbian couples and their families; and whereas the U.S. Supreme Court recognizes marriage as one of the ‘basic civil rights of man’ fundamental to our very existence and survival” and “one of the vital personal rights essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness by free men … [be it resolved] that civil marriage for same-sex couples must include all the benefits commonly bestowed upon opposite-sex couples, including, among other rights, healthcare coverage and related decision-making, privileges under immigration and naturalization law, survivor benefits, inheritance rights, and child custody.”

According to the AP, Carrboro is one of the most liberal cities in the south and is growing as many northern businesses move south.

Nice work, Carrboro.  You set a fine example.

Prop 8 - The Musical

It's too good to not post. Mark Shaiman, the composer for Hairspray, wrote this song about Prop 8. It's got everything: humor, truth, and stars! Enjoy!

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Hope

I know this has been posted everywhere, but I couldn't help myself. It's so inspiring. Hope is alive, perhaps now more than ever - and the time to stand up for the us's is now.

Senator Marty says, "It's time..."

Minnesota state Senator John Marty introduced legislation to legalize same-sex marriage. His letter (below) describes his plan to move the legislation into committee. It's a great letter with pragmatic, rational ideas. Get ready to show your support!

It's Time to Move forward with Gay Marriage Legislation
by Senator John Marty
December 2, 2008

Last session, along with several of my colleagues, I introduced legislation to legalize same-sex marriages in Minnesota. Now we are asking for a hearing on the legislation in the Senate Judiciary Committee during the 2009 legislative session.

Minnesota's law prohibits any gay or lesbian from marrying the person they love. Our legislation would repeal that prohibition and extend equal marriage rights to all people regardless of sexual orientation.

This effort is made with no illusion about the difficulty of passing the legislation. In the November election, several states passed voter initiatives banning same-sex marriages. California's initiative actually took away the existing right for gay couples to marry.

But Minnesotans have a strong sense of fairness. Minnesotans are open to change when presented with new information.

Opponents have great fear and misunderstanding about gay marriage. A legislative committee hearing could begin to address those misconceptions. I am not asking for a hearing where we have hours of testimony from multiple speakers on each side, then a brief committee debate and vote.

Instead, let's have a gay couple briefly tell their story. Have them talk about their love, the challenges they face as parents, the problems they encounter because they are not allowed to marry. Opponents would have equal time to voice their concerns.

Then, instead of a debate, the Judiciary Committee could break past the heated rhetoric on the issue with a candid discussion, conducted in a civil tone. Discussions help to inform and educate people. With all of the divisiveness over gay marriage, a civil discussion might bring people closer together.

If opponents say they worry that allowing same-sex couples to marry will hurt their own marriages, I'd like to ask them to tell us how. I'd really like to know whether they feel my marriage – Connie and I just celebrated our 28th anniversary – would hurt their marriage too. And if it does not, why a gay couple's marriage would have any more impact on them than my marriage has had.

If opponents say they believe gay marriage is sinful or morally wrong, I'd like to tell them why I, as a Christian, believe we should not just allow, but actually encourage gay couples to marry. It is because of my faith, not in spite of it, that I think we should promote marriage and work to strengthen families of gay couples as well as heterosexual couples.

The Judiciary Committee could talk about the coexistence of different religious beliefs in a democratic society. We could discuss how our nation has a proud history of protecting the right of religious liberty and freedom of conscience; how every individual is entitled to his or her beliefs and has the freedom to join a church that shares those views.

I would like to ask my colleagues who oppose this legislation why they consider it acceptable for Minnesota's government to endorse their religious beliefs about gay marriage and enforce them over the religious beliefs that thousands of other Minnesotans have. Every member of the Senate took an oath of office to support the Constitution of the United States, and each of us understands that government should treat all people in a fair, non-discriminatory manner.

Opponents worry that their churches would be required to perform gay marriages. But we can reassure them that the freedom of religion that would allow gay marriages, is the same freedom of religion that allows them to perform marriages only for couples they choose to marry. We could point to the U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down laws prohibiting interracial marriage which was strongly opposed by many Christians at the time, and remind them that the churches objecting to those marriages have never been forced to solemnize them.

A Senate hearing that confronts these issues with a civil discussion will not end all opposition to gay marriage, but it will help break down the misunderstandings that exist.

This may be the only legislative attempt to allow gay marriage in the Midwest, but it is time for Minnesota to look forward. California's Prop 8 and other bans on gay marriage have been painful setbacks for people who want to marry the partner they love; couples who want nothing more than the same rights and responsibilities other married couples have. It's time to show them that the people of Minnesota care about their families too.

Some may say that this legislation is premature. But how long is discrimination against gay couples acceptable? I'm confident that most Minnesotans, even those uncomfortable talking about homosexuality, will recognize the fundamental fairness of allowing every adult to choose his or her own marriage partner.