Saturday, August 15, 2009
Open Marriage Is Okay But My Relationship is Invalid??
I cannot help but get angry with the public at the inconsistencies and outright lies surrounding the arguments against same-sex marriage. A couple of the most common right now are "protecting marriage" and "protecting families." So enter Tilda Swinton who lives with John Byrne, their twin son and daughter, and her lover, Sandro Kopp. "We are all a family," she has said.
Where is the outrage? This is not a traditional family with a traditional marriage. If the arguments for protecting marriage and families are to be believed, then this should be an area of concern. And not because of them specifically, but because this type of lifestyle, and indeed this is a lifestyle choice whereas being gay is not, is becoming common.
All of this started when I read the article "Liberated in Love: Can Open Marriage Work?" It goes on to discuss marriages where a woman lives with her husband, their children, and her husband's gay lover. And marriages where the couple employs a "don't ask, don't tell" policy regarding their intimate encounters with others while traveling.
Now do not misunderstand me. Personally, I support the right individual's have to pursue happiness in their own way. Whether or not this works for them I care not. As long as they are not harming others, their intimacy arrangements do not matter to me. But this is completely glossed over by those seeking to "protect marriage".
Let's just be honest. Those "protect marriage" groups care nothing about marriage. If they did, they would be doing something about the horrible 50% divorce rate. They would do something about infidelity. What exactly *are* they doing in these areas?
And then there are people proposing marriage as a renewable contract. You sign a contract for a term of say, 5 years, and when it is up if you do not like the relationship you simply do not renew it. With today's divorce rate, this option is surely to be a hit.
Back to same sex marriage. Honestly, it has nothing to do with marriage. It is merely intolerance of gays and not wanting to acknowledge our relationships.
Where is the outrage? This is not a traditional family with a traditional marriage. If the arguments for protecting marriage and families are to be believed, then this should be an area of concern. And not because of them specifically, but because this type of lifestyle, and indeed this is a lifestyle choice whereas being gay is not, is becoming common.
All of this started when I read the article "Liberated in Love: Can Open Marriage Work?" It goes on to discuss marriages where a woman lives with her husband, their children, and her husband's gay lover. And marriages where the couple employs a "don't ask, don't tell" policy regarding their intimate encounters with others while traveling.
Now do not misunderstand me. Personally, I support the right individual's have to pursue happiness in their own way. Whether or not this works for them I care not. As long as they are not harming others, their intimacy arrangements do not matter to me. But this is completely glossed over by those seeking to "protect marriage".
Let's just be honest. Those "protect marriage" groups care nothing about marriage. If they did, they would be doing something about the horrible 50% divorce rate. They would do something about infidelity. What exactly *are* they doing in these areas?
And then there are people proposing marriage as a renewable contract. You sign a contract for a term of say, 5 years, and when it is up if you do not like the relationship you simply do not renew it. With today's divorce rate, this option is surely to be a hit.
Back to same sex marriage. Honestly, it has nothing to do with marriage. It is merely intolerance of gays and not wanting to acknowledge our relationships.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Wow - A Politician That Gets It!
On Wednesday I read an amazing article. The San Francisco Examiner ran an article on Saqib Ali, the first Muslim in Maryland's state legislature, who took a controversial stand in support of same sex marriage. No way, I thought. Are not Muslims against homosexuality?
Indeed they are firmly against it. And he has stirred controversy amongst conservatives who expected him to be on their side of issues.
I found his article which was published on July 31, 2009. He firmly believes that being in support of same sex marriage is being on the "right side of history." How interesting. But my favorite statement by far:
"But I recognize that I represent people of all faiths and no faith at all. If I tried to enforce religion by law - as in a theocracy - I would be doing a disservice to both my constituents and to my religion."
I want to stand up and cheer! I see so much hope that there are politicians out there who "get it".
Saqib Ali: Same-sex marriage and naked political calculations
Indeed they are firmly against it. And he has stirred controversy amongst conservatives who expected him to be on their side of issues.
I found his article which was published on July 31, 2009. He firmly believes that being in support of same sex marriage is being on the "right side of history." How interesting. But my favorite statement by far:
"But I recognize that I represent people of all faiths and no faith at all. If I tried to enforce religion by law - as in a theocracy - I would be doing a disservice to both my constituents and to my religion."
I want to stand up and cheer! I see so much hope that there are politicians out there who "get it".
Saqib Ali: Same-sex marriage and naked political calculations
Look Out World, Here I Come!
There are two things I love to do on a regular basis. First, I love to read and email my friends interesting and unusual news or things I have learned. And second, I love to spend time with my cats. I also dislike something strongly. Spam.
One of my friends commented that she appreciated the summary or synopsis I would write along with the links I sent to interesting or late breaking news articles. It helps her to know whether she might like to read it herself. Well, rather than spam my friends and give them too much to sift through each week, I decided I would start a blog.
This blog will be my voice on what I find interesting or exciting. In recent weeks my focus has been on same-sex marriage and pursuit of happiness. You will likely find a lot of both in this blog (along with frequent notes on the latest activities of my cats and how they make me realize I get too worked up over day to day thing or how I just wish I were a cat).
Peace
One of my friends commented that she appreciated the summary or synopsis I would write along with the links I sent to interesting or late breaking news articles. It helps her to know whether she might like to read it herself. Well, rather than spam my friends and give them too much to sift through each week, I decided I would start a blog.
This blog will be my voice on what I find interesting or exciting. In recent weeks my focus has been on same-sex marriage and pursuit of happiness. You will likely find a lot of both in this blog (along with frequent notes on the latest activities of my cats and how they make me realize I get too worked up over day to day thing or how I just wish I were a cat).
Peace
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