When asked whether the Boy Scouts of America should rescind its ban on gay members and leaders, Bill Gates said “absolutely”. When asked why he said “Because it’s 2013”.
This week the Supreme Court heard arguments about the legitimacy of California Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act.
This is a difficult issue for many who are passionate about their definition of marriage. The origins of marriage are arguable, with varied definitions between cultures and religions. That said all recognize marriage as a legal contract between people that establishes rights and obligations between them.
There was a time in American culture when our exposure to the broader world was limited. Culture was restricted by proximity and the rules of what was acceptable were often determined by religious affiliation. That was then, now we are a melting pot of cultures coexisting together and it’s the government’s responsibility to provide rules for its citizenry that are based on equity. Lest we forget the 14th amendment was added defining citizenship and states “no state shall … deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws”. Or that this country was formed by pilgrims seeking religious freedom.
We didn’t just wake up one day to find gay people in our communities; they’ve always been here. Gays have been oppressed because of perceived unacceptability. For most people that are gay it is not a choice, they just are. One could argue as nature or God intended. It’s taken a long time for the issue to come center stage. The repercussions of oppression run wide and deep, just ask any Native American, African American or Woman. In fact women used to be a man’s property under old definitions of marriage.
When passionate we tend to confuse historic beliefs and church with state. This keeps us in the past. Recently Senator Rob Portman reversed his position on same-sex marriage after his son told him he was gay. This is a beautiful example of choosing love over accepted behaviors within an archaic structure.
“Because it’s 2013” could be the answer to many issues of equality that keep resurfacing.