Another election cycle and here we are all talking about gay marriage again. As a person in my early twenties, I didn't really think this affected me. As my unitarian church went through the process of becoming "a welcoming congregation", I didn't feel like it was an issue I was passionate about or needed to be, since I wasn't gay. But now I know differently. People should be free to get to know themselves well enough to know what they need and make decisions on what they discover--not what is allowed, or acceptable. I used to not understand why people wouldn't just come out if they were gay, and be true to who they were --because didn't they know I would love them just the same either way? Or if people didn't support them, then forget them? I understand now how naive that was to think, and that the fear, humiliation, repeated hurtful responses that gay people endure is something that I could never understand. And it is real.
So, as a now late thirty-something, I'd like to offer you this thought: This is our generations task--to open up love and acceptance for yet another group of people who are judged, oppressed, harassed, disregarded and treated as outcasts. To make sure they have access to rights and responsibilities so that the next generation can't even believe things would have ever been any other way. It wasn't long ago at all that it was illegal in some states to marry outside of your race (Alabama legalized interracial marriage in 2000). Today, that seems crazy. Each election season, and each generation, we have the opportunity to further peel back a layer of injustice. To remove another stigma, or judgement and allow people to live safely and respectfully as themselves. It affects us--even if we are not gay, and we should be passionately rising up to ensure everyone has the right to love and honor whoever they choose.
Love and peace,
Stephanie
