November is Equal Marriage Rights Month, a protest against recent action by conservatives, so-called "family first" groups, and our government that proves their hate for homosexuals and other non-traditional family units. We aim to provide a voice for people who don't fit into the classic male/female relationship and ask that they receive the same rights as heterosexual couples. We also invite straight allies to make their opinions known. Our elected officials sometimes support things because they assume that's what the voting public wants. Let's prove them wrong. We may not be able to change their opinions, but we may be able to show them that a new generation is more supportive of equal rights to all couples seeking the right to marry - and this new generation is coming of age to vote. We want to make a difference this year AND next year at the polls. One person can't change the fate of this country alone, but all of us together can. Remember how close the last presidential elections were? Our votes can mean the difference between acceptance and bigotry. We're starting a movement that will last. Equal rights for equal love. Marriage is about commitment, about love and they can't make those things illegal.
Explanation for non-supporters:
I'd like to start by explaining that the people behind Equal Marriage Rights Month do not support incest, bigamy, relationships with people under the legal age or any other union NOT between two (and only two) non-related, consenting adults. We do, however, find the recent marriage protection week and other such hateful movements to be thinly veiled bigotry against homosexuals, bisexuals, transgenders and other people in non-"classic" male-female relationships. To those supporting these recent actions, I'd like to pose the following questions:
Is this religious? If so, do you believe God will condemn members of same sex marriages to Hell? Furthermore, why would God blame you for such marriages? If you have no answer to the last question, why do you care what I do? How will my marriage destroy your own? Do you think our evil gay laser will zap all heterosexuals and make them homosexual should we have the legal right to marriage? Are we going to magically turn your children gay with the mere existence of gay marriage? Why are you so worried? The only possible reasoning is that you, the straight couples, feel threatened by homosexual marriage. Why should you feel threatened by us? Do you feel that as soon as we get the same rights as you that you'll be something less? What's wrong, exactly, with being equals?
More personally, what have I done to you in my life that would cause you to wish pain upon me, a kind of suffering that will last for the rest of my life? That you would want to prevent me from being married simply because of my sexuality, something I didn't choose. Would it surprise you to learn that the founder of this month and this group is a gay Christian, one who went to church six times a week before being outcast for her sexual orientation? I believe much the same as you do, except I believe that it's God's right to judge me, not yours and that it's only fair to give me the same rights you have. If I'm wrong, I will face my God. If I'm right, I'll see you in the afterlife. But you have absolutely nothing to lose. I don't plan on corrupting your children, overthrowing the government or burning down the churches. I just want to be respected and accepted no matter who I love. That should be a basic human right but you seem to think it isn't. If Jesus spent his time with whores and lepers, what makes you think he wants me to burn? How many things that were once considered abominations (divorce, a common thing these days, among them) now the norm but I'm still disgusting? How is that reasonable?
All I ask is that people reconsider what's wrong with gay marriage and what specifically it could do to them as a person. I've never met a gay man or woman who hoped to destroy heterosexuals or their lifestyle. Only those who wanted a fair world. Please consider it.