Letter to the Editor

As it’s been awhile since I’ve posted – and probably lost my “vast” fellowship, I promised myself to be far more consistent from now on. I’ve had a lot to say trust me, however, in the mix of dealing with extraneous blogosphere needs I hastened my writings for a momentary time. I’m back though!

Anyway, we’ll get to it – I’ve got a new editorial (to my own blog I realize).

Dear. Editor:
I think I can forgive you for disregarding the care of this blog for so long, however, I’d like to provide for a soundboard of both reverence and disgust in this letter.
Three and a half weeks ago the Iowa Supreme Court declared that a ban on gay marriage was “unconstitutional.” Stemming from a 1998 state law challenged in 2005 by six same-sex couples whose marriage licenses were denied in a Polk County (Des Moines) lawsuit. In August 2007, right after I settled in Iowa, a Polk judge stated the law violated the right of equal protection. For a short time period, all of a half-day, same-sex couples were able to wed before Robert Hanson put his judgment on hold.
On Monday April 27th same-sex couples were legally able to file for marriage licenses, some choosing to ask county judges to waive the three day waiting period, more couples successfully having been granted judicial authority to wed without waiting. Iowa, in the middle of America’s heartland has offered the equal rights to same-sex couples whose fear is now alleviated that they would never been able to enjoy the rights as their heterosexual counterparts. It’s not just about religion, which we’ll get to. It’s about being able to make decisions when their partner is facing a life threatening condition, having the ability to file taxes jointly like Mr. and Mrs. Jones down the street can. It’s about insurance rights, legal wills and trusts, it’s about affording the equal protection and security that chromosome XX and XY couples have privileged from for so long.
I understand the convictions of religion on the term of “marriage.” Marriage has a religious pretext that dates back to the medieval practices of dowries and “giving away the bride.” What I don’t understand and find much a bother is how the faith based has been arguing this non-“issue.” Spoken critics have stated same-sex marriage as immoral and a degradation to the tradition of family. In sweeping protests in opinion sections and physical demonstrations the conservative base is using personal conviction to argue against a measure that provides equal and material benefits as would affirmative action to minorities or desegregation laws in 1960’s. You can’t fight fire with dust. These arguments offer nothing to counteract what the Supreme Court ruling provides: Equality. Gay marriage takes nothing away from the community. Same-sex couples in Iowa are now afforded the same rights and protections which have nothing to do with religious pretext. Do not give me “It’s just wrong” as an argument for this ruling. Do not say “it’s against my religion” when so many couples haven’t had hospital visitation rights, or haven’t been able to adopt a child birthed biologically by their partner or a surrogate. So many couples have had limited and constricting rights that cannot be rebutted with such dissimilar ideological disputes.
I have reverence for the Iowa Supreme Court in their unanimous ruling, appropriately stating that a ban on affording same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples as “unconstitutional.” Summary judgment was a smile provoking clear and supportive statement progressing the attitudes and beliefs of our nation toward greater parity. With no other issue such as gay marriage is this segregated so much so by generation. In the progression of societal acceptance and “norm” we will see more states adopt the same equal measures as Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, and Vermont have. My home state Maine has vocalized cross party discussion and hopefully will be the next state to pass a legislative measure in the goal to achieve same-sex marriage equality in all New England states by 2012.
As Bill Maher states … “It’s a non-issue.” I have to agree, however, by making it an issue will force public effort to push our legislative bodies to take progressive action. Far too long have state congressional bodies pushed aside controversial social issues. If we want to reach the 2012 goal, there’s no better way than to start breathing down the necks of our elected officials. No other cause for action will be better suited than fear of decreased support in their reelection.