(no subject)

[felicula]

I went to a Marriage Equality rally today, partly because it is a cause I feel strongly about and partly because I met the rally's coordinator at the church I attend. It was organized because the New York State Supreme Court handed out a decision against marriage rights for same-sex couples. A copy of the ruling can be found here. I'm not usually very crowd oriented, but I felt good listening to the speakers and being a part of the cause even though I felt self conscious that I only knew one person there.

The part that required much more strength than I though it would was heading home. I'd picked up a sign supporting the cause. It read, "Loving Couples Deserve Marriage." As I set out toward the Liberty Pole bus stop, I realized that it would be a cop out to hold the sign inward or roll it up. This is a message I believe in. This is a message I am willing to stand up for. So I carried it facing outward. The walk was 2-3 blocks to the bus stop. Then there was a 15-20 minute wait on Main Street for the bus. Plus a 15-20 minute bus ride, and a block and a half walk home. Generally, I like to be inconspicuous. Carrying that sign was rather conspicuous.

I'm used to being bisexual. I'm married to a man, I have a son, but I believe that marriage does not automatically "pin down a bisexual person into being straight or gay. Yet until today, I had no idea just how comfortable that invisibility was. Some people stared, many didn't. One man chattered to another on the bus about "living a righteous life." Another man asked me if I had an extra, until I mentioned the Empire State Pride Agenda. Then he looked more closely, said "Oh," and dropped the subject.

The last leg was the hardest. My own street. These are people who know where I live, even if they don't know my name. I was almost past a driveway where a man was conversing with a woman in a vehicle. I gave a polite greeting and the woman asked to see the sign. She asked if it had to do with the crowd and the noise downtown. I told her a little bit about the rally and its purpose. She looked at me gravely and asked, "You support that?" I said yes, I support it. Thus ensued an informal, though thankfully not overly aggressive discussion about reasons for and against gay marriage. We were able to wish one another a good night after, and I feel I comported myself well in the debate, but I was shaky as I walked past the last few houses and into my own. I was thankful I'd recently read Leviticus.

First thing in the door, I hung the sign in the bedroom window.

Second thing in the door, I sat and thought what it must be like for homosexual couples everywhere, every time they go out. I thought about what the public faces of gay rights activism must go through. These people do not have or accept the luxury of invisibility.

Believing in gay rights is so much easier than standing up for them. My heart goes out to every single gay rights activist out there, and to all the same-sex couples striving for equal treatment in the eyes of the State and Federal Governments.

Comments

[evilkinggumby.livejournal.com]

wow yeah that really is a great story and a great point. I stand on the soapbox with you, but not as a member as much as a supporter. The whole concept of challenging it and watching legislature knock it down like some beachball was just disheartening. Everytime i see the country take a few steps forward, shit like this sets it a few dozen steps back. I am waiting for the sci-fi days ot hit when the concept of gay marriage and couples and love is a norm and people look back at these times and question, confused, as to why it was such an issue, and why it took so much for something so simple and sweet. I have worked with a number of people who are openly gay and in relationships that sincerely want to be able to have the marriage recognised, not so they can play the system, not to leech money off the welfare regime or suck from the government's teet, but so they can have the same rights as everyone else, and live a happy healthy life. instead they can't share insurance, they're families control their assets in times of emergency(or death) and in many cases, they have to hide their pride, or get a lot of the in-your-face flack. They are all sweet, loving, caring people, not militaristic, extremists or folk bent on revenge.

Shit I heard the news and thought "think of all the revenue NYS could get from allowing gay marriages. In NYS alone it's like what $300 to get a license? Last time i heard about mass mariages being done close to(or liekly over) 2,000 couples ran down to take the vow. Do the math. NY could use the frickin revenue.

Someday that time will come.

"Daddy, why did they ban mommy and mommy marriages when you my age?"

"Son, I was there for the whole thing, and frankly, even I don't know."

[blackfelicula.livejournal.com]

Last night, I sat down and read the court decision. The sickest part is that they are hinging on the fact that heterosexual couples can have accidental children. They voiced it in terms of an incentive to such couples to marry. Come on! Like the marriage benefits really help that! And the children, who the law is supposed to protect? What about those with same-sex parents who are denied the same benefits?

I've never been one to go to rallies and march in parades. This week I'm doing both! ***heads back to work on her sign for tomorrow***

[keepersrosered.livejournal.com]

This is making me ill. seriously, my heart started beating iregularly when I read your post. I remember a lifetime ago holding you and sreaming phisically, emotionally, and mentally at an asshole threatening you/me/us. It sems forever ago but it still makes me hurt. I am so proud of you for the courage you are having. If you need someone and the obvious is unavailable, you know where you are welcome. My home is yours, all three of yours. It is a safe uncompramising home. I know yours is the same.

You guys need to come down for hugs and gifts.


Blessed be.

[blackfelicula.livejournal.com]

The current egging has me on edge. This isn't quite the first. When we first put the sign up, someone in the neighborhood rang our doorbell about the same time at night, then left. Childish pranks so far, but who knows what it will escalate too.