"There is no damage to marriage or to the family in allowing two people of the same sex to get married. Rather, these citizens now have the ability to organize their lives according to marital and familial norms and demands. There is no threat to the institution of marriage, but precisely the opposite: this law recognizes and values marriage.
Aware that some people and institutions profoundly disagree with this legal change, I wish to say that like other reforms to the marriage code that preceded this one, this law will not generate bad results, that its only consequence will be to avoid senseless suffering of human beings. A society that avoids senseless suffering of its citizens is a better society.
In any case, I wish to express my deep respect to those people and institutions, and I also want to ask for the same respect for all of those who approve of this law. To the homosexuals that have personally tolerated the abuse and insults for many years, I ask that you add to the courage you have demonstrated in your struggle for civil rights, an example of generosity and joy with respect to all the beliefs."
— Spanish President José Luis RodrÃguez Zapatero
(Commenting in 2005 on the legalization of same-sex marriage in his nation six years ago today.)
My fervent hope is that someday soon, we will be able to hear our own president deliver a message of justice and unity so profoundly elegant and simple in it's statement that "Marriage is a Human Right, not a heterosexual privilege..."
"Fear Eats the Soul"
Well, my wish is coming true... just less than a year after posting this, President Obama publicly and profoundly expressed his support for marriage equality. What a happy day that was!
ReplyDeleteThe tide has turned and the swell is growing such that one day very soon, equality and justice will prevail. I am constantly thankful to have been born at this moment in time so that I can bear witness to the change of the world and of people's hearts being turned to the truth of love.
"Fear Eats the Soul"