Wednesday, October 29, 2008
About Proposition 8: Outlawing Gay Marriage
There's been a lot of hype in the advocacy of Proposition 8 here in California. Advocates assert, for example, that if gay marriage persists little children will be taught as early as kindergarten about same-sex married couples and how they live. Advocates assert that a child should have both a male father and a female mother; therefore, a homosexual couple shouldn't be allowed to adopt children. Traditionally, marriage has been entered into for the purpose of creating and raising children. Etc., etc., etc.
I think it's bunk. If marriage is for having children, what should we do about couples who choose not to have children? Should their marriages be dissolved? Are little children in kindergarten taught now about how heterosexual couples live? Etc., etc., etc.
The compelling motive behind Proposition 8 (IMHO) is the fear and hatred of homosexuality. Conservative Christians, conservative Jews, and conservative Muslims share this feeling. They believe that homosexuality, especially between two men, is a perversion, is disgusting and nasty, and is an abomination in the sight of the Lord. In ancient times (and also today, in places) men who were known or suspected of homosexual activity were executed, usually by stoning.
Most parents have difficulty bringing themselves to talk to their children about heterosexual sex, about intercourse, about devices to avoid pregnancy or spreading venereal disease. It is even more difficult for parents to discuss homosexual sex with their children. In fact, they don't discuss it. Most of them pretend it doesn't exist; therefore, they don't have to talk about it.
If gay marriage is not outlawed, parents will eventually have to discuss homosexuality with their children - at least some of them will. Many parents must be horrified and disgusted and angry at the prospect of such conversations. Hence, the strong impulse to outlaw homosexuality, or at least remove it from public view. Let the homos have their fun, but let them keep it to themselves and be quiet about it.
Many years ago I would have shared such feelings as those I have just described. Then I started to meet homosexual people, principally men, and discovered that they were not disgusting monsters who wanted to prey on young boys. In fact, they were pleasant, normal people in all other respects. I would have no problem trusting one of them to baby-sit my children. They exhibited the complete range of male behavior, from one man who was rather quiet and even timid to another who was a real aggressive loud-mouth.
I have voted. I vote by mail and my ballot was mailed to the Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder more than a week ago. I voted against Proposition 8, largely because of the mendacious claims asserted by the supporters.
I think it's bunk. If marriage is for having children, what should we do about couples who choose not to have children? Should their marriages be dissolved? Are little children in kindergarten taught now about how heterosexual couples live? Etc., etc., etc.
The compelling motive behind Proposition 8 (IMHO) is the fear and hatred of homosexuality. Conservative Christians, conservative Jews, and conservative Muslims share this feeling. They believe that homosexuality, especially between two men, is a perversion, is disgusting and nasty, and is an abomination in the sight of the Lord. In ancient times (and also today, in places) men who were known or suspected of homosexual activity were executed, usually by stoning.
Most parents have difficulty bringing themselves to talk to their children about heterosexual sex, about intercourse, about devices to avoid pregnancy or spreading venereal disease. It is even more difficult for parents to discuss homosexual sex with their children. In fact, they don't discuss it. Most of them pretend it doesn't exist; therefore, they don't have to talk about it.
If gay marriage is not outlawed, parents will eventually have to discuss homosexuality with their children - at least some of them will. Many parents must be horrified and disgusted and angry at the prospect of such conversations. Hence, the strong impulse to outlaw homosexuality, or at least remove it from public view. Let the homos have their fun, but let them keep it to themselves and be quiet about it.
Many years ago I would have shared such feelings as those I have just described. Then I started to meet homosexual people, principally men, and discovered that they were not disgusting monsters who wanted to prey on young boys. In fact, they were pleasant, normal people in all other respects. I would have no problem trusting one of them to baby-sit my children. They exhibited the complete range of male behavior, from one man who was rather quiet and even timid to another who was a real aggressive loud-mouth.
I have voted. I vote by mail and my ballot was mailed to the Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder more than a week ago. I voted against Proposition 8, largely because of the mendacious claims asserted by the supporters.
Labels: disgust and hatred of homosexual behavior, homosexual marriage, homosexual men, Prop. 8
