Human sexuality is brilliant in its complexity. I do have faith in credible science and I am fascinated with the relatively recent research in sexuality. Research suggests that aspects of human sexuality are essentially based on a continuum. For example, the breadth and depth of human sexual appetite can be laid out on a continuum from a very limited desire (or even no desire) to a much more voracious appetite. Placement on the continuum is individual and normal. Control of the appetite can be problematic but that does not take away from placement as individual and normal.
In the same way, research suggests that sexual orientation is not a choice but rather is one part of who we are. Sexual orientation ranges from exclusively heterosexual to exclusively homosexual and the range in between allows for all blended possibilities. If we assume that orientation is not a choice (and I do), then I cannot understand what issue there could possibly be with same sex partnerships. What possible impact could a same sex partnership have on my heterosexual marriage? If these two people are attracted to each other, what possible business can that be of mine? If they love each other and want to bring that love to a new level by parenting children, how could this be a problem? In fact, if they want to have a child, there has to be more thought than with heterosexual relationships. After all, pregnancy is not an accident with homosexual partners. Speaking as a professional who works daily with plenty of children who are growing up in dysfunctional families - in part, I suspect, because their conception was a "surprise" - I am often impressed with the strong and steady parenting of my two dad and two mom families. Something about the planning and thought that went into becoming families makes for stronger families.
In the interests of keeping this post short, I simply want to ask: why, in these tumultuous times, would we, as a society, deny anyone the opportunity for family ties? I don't understand how people can be so judgmental and unkind to other people who simply want to create family as they see it. If you think you have an answer, I urge you to respond. I genuinely want to know your rationale.
Oh such a huge AMEN SISTA! There is a "marriage amendment" for our state constitution on the ballot this year, so you can't get away from the hate mongering here. Seems to me the more people who want to make a legal commitment to love and support another person makes the world a stronger place.
ReplyDeleteI agree! The world needs a whole lotta love right now - no matter who and how.
DeleteFirst let me say that I also support equal marriage rights.
ReplyDeleteI gather, from listening, reading and watching, that those who oppose those rights are coming from a place of religious beliefs and their interpretation of the teachings of those beliefs.
So therefore, if I support gay rights, I feel that I have to also be tolerant of the rights of others who don't share my opinion by respecting their religious beliefs.
Even though I understand the power of religious teachings and how they become engrained, starting an an early age, I can't accept one group imposing their beliefs, or for that matter their judgements, on another group.
I have no objection if those with religious beliefs want to live by their beliefs But, as you have noted, I don't want to be required to live by those beliefs.
DeleteI can't top Sarah. I can only add my thanks for a superior presentation, of an emotional issue. I say human rights for human beings!.
ReplyDeleteXOXOXXOOX Thanks, Markie
DeleteLove this post... we are kindred spirits & both on Team Tina with the A to Z Challenge. I hope you will check out my blog this coming Monday. I just wrote my H post about a woman who stretched through all sorts of sexual taboos way back in the 1920's and 1930's.
ReplyDeleteI am an equality activist, a straight woman with children and a Christian, no less. My children and I have stood in the midst of protests with my eight-year-old son proudly bearing a rainbow flag.
Thank God the world is filled with different sorts of people. It would be so boring if we were all the same!
Julie Jordan Scott
twitter: @juliejordanscot
G is for Gabriela Mistral
#atozchallenge
Oh good! I look forward to checking out your blog. Sounds very interesting! Thanks for stopping by here.
DeleteI agree completely with what you've written. I think, as Lynda said, a lot of the discomfort comes from religious beliefs (or, worse, the "ick" factor in which someone finds homosexuality distasteful). Neither of those things have any business in legislation and in the absence of proof of measurable harm or damage (none exists, nor will it) caused by same-sex marriages, parenting, etc, etc the law should absolutely favor the rights of the individuals.
ReplyDeleteOkay, stumbling down off the soapbox now...thanks for posting this.
I have been touched by friends and relatives who have loving same sex unions. These people are good people who only want what heterosexual people have by the nature of their sexuality. It seems only right to allow people the legal and financial benefits given to those who have heterosexual committed relationships.
DeleteMy blood doesn't boil, no. But I do believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I also believe that everybody needs to be treated with equal respect and not judged by such things. I do believe rights should be equal, but I will never believe in anything but marriage between man and woman.
ReplyDeleteAnd, Judy, I can respect your belief and appreciate it as it applies to you. I am not clear from your response if it matters to you if other people choose to participate in a committed same sex union. From my perspective you are entitled to your beliefs and I am respectful of that. I don't want those beliefs unfairly applied to others who believe differently. How does that sound to you?
DeleteIt absolutely stuns me that still, in this day and age, people can still be so small-minded, so prejudice and so scared of anyone who is different to themselves.
ReplyDeleteI'm British, and I think that when the UK legalised civil partnerships it was a huge step in the right direction, and I wonder why it took so long to do it. You cannot help who you fall in love with, and love is such a precious thing it should be celebrated and rejoiced in wherever it blooms.
But I could ramble on about this forever, I am very pro gay rights. Btw I am a straight married woman.
Agreed 100% , Angeline. I do respect others beliefs but I do not want their beliefs imposed on me. I cannot understand why you would deny someone the chance for a legally sanctioned, loving relationship.
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
Beautiful post, JT, full of truth and good writing. Yay!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Matt! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxo
ReplyDeleteFor the record, in agreement with Mark, I am also Pro Human Rights.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea as to why there is opposition to gay marriage. I'm all for equality, acceptance and understanding. If someone is truly opposed to it, I suggest they sit down with a committed gay couple and talk to them, get to know them, ask them about it. And through this, they will discover that gay men and women are just like them. They go grocery shopping, they argue, they watch tv, they put their shoes on one foot at a time. But so many people won't do that and I know a few. 10% of the population is gay. They are our friends, sisters, brothers, parents, etc They deserve the same rights to wedded bliss (and boy am I saying that with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek) as men and women. I should know, I've been married twice:)
ReplyDeleteFrom a practical point of view, think of how much it would stimulate the economy with all those weddings.
True! on so many levels - "wedded bliss" of which I know about plenty and the surge in the economy. I recently heard about a group that is connecting gay couples with people who are open to learning more about the issue of gay rights - asking people to sit down and have dinner together, and share family stories. That's the way to do it, one family at a time.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea. A lot of times it takes a personal experience to change someone's opinion. I didn't know where I stood on the death penalty issue until I met someone who was being executed and I saw how horrible it was for his family, well, and of course for the man.
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