For many years, I lived a lie to gain approval (which never happened). So far in the last 11 years, we have gone from DOMA (defense of marriage act), DADT (don't ask don't tell), and a majority of states passing legislation declaring "marriage" as a union between one man and one woman, to marriage equality in all states and territories of the US. Today, July 16, 2015, the EEOC (equal employment opportunity commission) declared that sexual orientation is blanketed into the Civil Rights Act 0f 1964. I honestly do not understand why it was such a big deal. Many religious folk try to quote the bible (small b on purpose) about man lying with man being a sin. What they omit is the rest of the chapter where women are chattel and have no rights, eating of shellfish, wearing mixed clothing (cotton and wool together), and mixing of crops being sins, to name just a few points. I am not here to beat down the religious. I think religion has it's points, both good and bad. What I am here to say, is why is it that something I do, in my bed, privately, should be a topic of your derision? How am I interfering with your life by living mine? You don't approve of same sex marriage? Don't marry a person of the same sex...your religious beliefs prevent you from accepting SSM? By all means, find a career where you do not have to deal with gay folk...just remember that the next time you need flowers or decorating ideas. All of the people stepping down from public jobs because they do not want to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples need to understand that in the US there is a separation of church and state. This means that laws that are based on religious idealism are unconstitutional. Marriage as we know it today, is a civil contract between 2 people that wish to share all of the rights and privileges given to married folk. Gays do not want to force churches to marry them nor do we want to force businesses to deal with us. Where we have an issue is when businesses open to the public refuse to serve us because we are gay. In 1964, the Civil Rights Act was passed. This gave protection to people with regard to color, race, religion, national origin, and sex. Back in 1964, there were people quitting their government service jobs because of interracial marriage (Loving v. West Virginia). A person serving in a governmental capacity, issuing marriage licenses, marrying people, or providing a public service, are obligated to perform the same service to all regardless. I guess this too shall pass...in twenty years we will all be looking around wondering what all the fuss was about...the world did not end, marriage did not crumble, and the gates of hell did not open up.
Like those alive in the 60's, today is a great time to be alive.
