I’ve been attempting to avoid the political posts lately – partly because I’m lacking the energy to debate (it’s rare, but it happens) and partly because as we get closer to the election, I know I’ll be a ranting and raving lunatic (consider this the calm before the storm). But with two big events this week, I felt the need to share my thoughts.
I was saddened on Tuesday night to read that voters in North Carolina passed an amendment stating that marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this state.
I am saddened that hatred, ignorance, and bigotry have won over acceptance and basic human rights. And I am saddened that hatred, ignorance, and bigotry have made so many people so blind.
The fight is certainly not over, and I do believe that in my lifetime we will look back on these events the same way we look back on the time before Loving v. Virginia.
Then, on Wednesday, Barack Obama, President of the United States of America, said outright that he believes “same sex couples should be able to get married.” Regardless of what you feel his motivation was and regardless of whether or not you agree with him on other issues (and seriously, who agrees with anyone all of the time?), this is HUGE.
We have a man holding the highest office in our country saying clear as day that believes in the basic rights of gay and lesbian couples. Huge, huge, huge!
Honestly, I fully believed this would happen. I fully believed that Obama’s “evolving” stance on same-sex couples getting married would reach the point of standing up for full marriage equality. I just didn’t think it would happen before the election.
I’ve seen several people comment about how this was just a stunt to get votes. I don’t believe that. I think this was more of a risk to him than it was a sure-fire way to get the “gay vote”. And if it was some kind of ploy to attract more votes (which, um, kind of wouldn’t be surprising about anything regarding any politician considering that that’s kind of what they’re supposed to be doing during an election), I still believe he meant everything he said.
Overall, I think it’s been a positive week and I just hope we can continue to move forward.
