Dear Rachel Collins,
As I reflect on your recent response article, I wonder what it is that drives people to make large-scale statements concerning religion or people who identify along the LGBTQIA++ (including Allies) spectrum. I want to acknowledge that I respect everyone’s opinion, and believe that each person is entitled to one. Rather than refute some of your more unsupported claims (e.g. the reasons why the bible is the most published book of all time [see information on religious persecution] the “clarity” of man’s interpretation of the bible, and the insinuation that the bible should be consulted for “facts…” to name a few) I will instead reflect about why this is such a hot topic, as well as the evolution of marriage in this country.
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The fact is marriage equality is going to happen. To date, 30 states now have full marriage equality, and the remaining states have litigations in the federal courts challenging the discriminatory bans that those states have set in place. The one determining factor that makes the trajectory of this issue so clear is The Supreme Court of the United States. If any government body determines that it is acceptable to deny an entire group of people access to more than 1,100 rights, we would have to recognize that this as a violation of our constitution. I’ve been asked, “Why not just make an alternative to marriage?” The answer is simple; that would be legally permitting people to discriminate and thereby create a lawfully bound definition of second-class citizenship. Now that doesn’t sound very Christian to me, nor the foundation of any other major religion.
Let’s talk about the history of marriage. The reality is that there is no clear determinant of the roots of marriage being between a man and a woman. Most theologians look to the union of Adam and Eve in the garden. However, this would be yet another interpretation, and only those talking to “God” could be sure of what marriage should (if there be any such thing) look like. It should also be noted that there are no inherent differences between families of same-sex couples as defined by decades of research. Currently, marriage is not a religious issue, but an issue of fundamental rights. I don’t expect to be married in a church, because that would be infringing on the rights of that religion. And I am not interested in infringing on anyone’s rights, are you?
Finally, if you don’t like homosexuality, that’s just fine. If you don’t like EQUALITY MARRIAGE, I would suggest not marrying someone of the same-sex. I do not, however, appreciate efforts in making people feel uncomfortable with whom they are, naturally. This discomfort was created by efforts of hate, and has been forced on them by people telling them that they are less-than and worthless. It is these efforts that have subjected LGBTQI youth to bullying, discrimination and harassment. These same youth have resorted to suicide because of the alienation and ostracization.
In the end, this civil rights movement will succeed, as every American civil rights movement has. Don’t get left behind while the world continues to turn in the direction of equality. LGBT and heterosexual people, alike, come from all walks of life, including believers and non-believers. For those who do believe, instead of using the Bible as a weapon to discriminate and promote intolerance, I encourage those who seek comfort in its pages to use it for its true intentions – love.
On behalf of all students promoting a more equal and equitable campus,
Kristopher Hawkins
the irony; Marriage Equality has happened in two more states since this article was written.
Great job, Kristopher! Much work still to be done but we are moving forward.
Very nicely said. Yes, times are changing and people are evolving to be more supportive of equality for the LGBTQIA+. If the Pope can say, “who am I to judge,” what gives anyone else the right to judge?
There is no good reason to deny that we must keep evolving until an adult, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, monogamy or polyamory, race, or religion is free to marry any and all consenting adults. The limited same-gender freedom to marry is a great and historic step, but is NOT full marriage equality, because equality “just for some” is not equality. Let’s stand up for EVERY ADULT’S right to marry the person(s) they love. Get on the right side of history!