All you need is love.
In general, I try not to get too political here. I make no secret of the fact that I'm a bleeding heart liberal. But when you really get me going, politics are one thing I can get incredibly passionate and fired up about. And I understand it's always shaky ground when you get that fired up. It's controversial, and you run the risk of offending people who disagree. When I was younger, I used to only want to be surrounded by people who shared my views. But now, while my closest friends still feel the same way I do about pretty much everything, I've realized that sometimes it can be nice to leave politics and religion and whatnot off the table and have a community of friends who simply share a common hobby, and that's what scrapbooking is for me.
But all that being said, there are some things you just can't convince me to keep my mouth shut about.
Molly pointed out on her blog earlier that today is blogging for LGBT families day. A day for blogging in support of same-sex couples and their children. And their rights as families. And I have to say, if there's one issue I can get *really* fired up about, that would be it. I'm straight, as you probably know. But I have friends and family who are not. And I have always wanted to raise my daughter in a world where family was defined by love, not sexual orientation. 10 years ago, I thought we'd be further along by now. The fact that there is still talk of a federal marriage "protection" amendment makes me sick to my stomach.
There is so much negativity and hate in this world. There are so many children being abused, mistreated, unwanted. What I don't understand is how love can ever be a negative in the face of all that. How can a loving family be a negative contribution to the world, to society? Not to get all hippie about it, but seriously, if there's one thing this world needs more of, it's love. And when two people love each other and want to raise children together and love those children...that's a beautiful thing.
I accept the fact that some people will never embrace the idea of gay marriage and full adoption rights, same-sex shared parental rights, etc. Some people will always think it's "wrong." What I don't understand is what *harm* those relationships and families are doing to anyone else, simply by existing and loving each other. And aren't laws supposed to exist for the good of society? To prevent society from some kind of harm? There are people who will never accept interracial marriage, either. And because we live in a free country, they're entitled to that opinion. But that doesn't mean that the *law* has to bend and make interracial marriage illegal just because some people think it's wrong. A lot of people don't believe in premarital sex. Or equal rights for women, or blacks, or any minority. Chances are, we've all done something or other today that is against *someone's* morals, but not against the law. If people want to continue *disliking* gay marriage even once it's legal, they're perfectly free to do so. They can even believe it's wrong. I can't stop them. But religious beliefs should not be the foundation for public policy. And I have yet to hear an argument against gay marriage and gay family rights that does not center on a religious belief. Nor have I ever heard any sort of reasonable explanation of how these relationships pose any threat or harm to society at large.
I am not naive enough to think that the entire country will ever accept everyone regardless of sexual orientation. But I also know that many people do not accpet all races, genders, religions...and yet the movement toward equal rights for those minorities has marched along anyway. Nothing can irradicate hatred. But we don't have to be governed according to it. And it is my deepest hope that by the time my toddler is old enough to understand these things, the notion of two men or two women in love being unable to marry sounds as foreign and strange as racial segregation sounded to me as a child.
Family shouldn't be a question of politics, but a question of love. And that's something I just can't keep my big mouth shut about.
AMEN to that sister!!!
Posted by: Lisa VanderVeen | June 01, 2006 at 09:40 AM
Totally agree with ya Angi!
Di
Posted by: Di | June 01, 2006 at 11:41 AM
you and I probably don't agree on much politically, but I'm with you here. There are SO many kids out there who need homes, who face so many horrible things in this world...
Family is family, no matter who's involved.
Posted by: Stephanie Homburg | June 01, 2006 at 09:59 PM
GREAT post Angi - thanks so much for that link!
Posted by: Jess | June 01, 2006 at 10:55 PM
I totally agree with you Angi, great post!
Posted by: Leana | June 01, 2006 at 11:21 PM
I could not agree with you more Angi.
Posted by: Lisa Damrosch | June 02, 2006 at 02:18 AM
GREAT post, Angi... "Family shouldn't be a question of politics, but a question of love." That so absolutely sums it up... wonderful, thanks!
Posted by: RedMolly | June 02, 2006 at 11:44 AM
I agree :)
Posted by: kristin hohenadel | June 04, 2006 at 11:30 PM
While I'm not as much of a bleeding heart as I used to be, I also get fired up about this topic. You said this very eloquently and passionately, and I couldn't agree with you more!
Posted by: elizabeth | June 04, 2006 at 11:41 PM
As someone who has always voted Republican, i totally agree with you. Did I rock your world?
Posted by: sonia | June 09, 2006 at 08:43 AM
I totally and wholeheartedly agree with you. :)
Posted by: CarrieC | June 17, 2006 at 09:22 PM
well i have a problem and i need a solution to it. i have found a nice and beautiful woman whom i love with all my heart but the lady seeems to be too far away from me in mind. please how can i draw her attention to me.
please kindly help me out.
thank you
Posted by: Derrick Norvihoho | September 13, 2007 at 07:56 AM