PHOTO COURTESY OF RED APPLE
For the Nth time, as it is still necessary, let’s continue talking about marriage equality.
The rationale behind granting marriage equality is pretty simple. As tax-paying, law-abiding and productive citizens of a nation, we (LGBT people) should have equal protections and rights as those who are non-LGBT. This includes having the right to make our relationship public, official, celebratory and, hopefully, enduring through marriage, as well as to obtain the legal rights of a married couple. We are not after holy matrimony, as some anti-LGBT protesters are complaining about. The US’s marriage equality led to civil marriage, which is not subject to the rules of a religion. We do not need the blessings or validation of such god whom they claim finds the LGBT community an abomination, much less from those who proclaim this belief. Marriage, after all, is not the sole and original territory of whatever religion. It is practiced by religious and nonreligious people alike – atheists, Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Pagans, agnostics, Buddhists, Taoists and so on. However, despite the simplicity of the intention behind marriage equality, there are still those who love to complicate it.
When marriage equality was finally achieved in the US, I already expected backlashes against it based on religion and tradition, along with the celebration of the LGBT community and supporters. I told myself that I’m not going to get into any debate about it because I know that most of those keen on protecting their anti-LGBT beliefs very rarely, if at all, employ critical thinking in understanding LGBT issues. It would just be a waste of time and energy getting into an argument with them. But seeing some social media posts about it made my blood boil. In good conscience, I couldn’t just shrug it off – mainly because the reasons presented against marriage equality are invalid and bigoted. It is infuriatingly strange that the blockage to equal rights is built by shaky and incoherent arguments.
I’m perfectly secure about my sexuality that no anti-LGBT comment can put me down. But I’ve realized that it’s wrong if I don’t speak up when I can. What about those who can’t stand up for themselves? What about those who are scared to come out, especially after seeing the threatening, misguided and debased comments about LGBT? So I’ve decided to speak up, not just for myself, but also for those who are ridiculed, bullied, condemned, tortured, alienated, killed, hurt and discriminated against just because of their sexual orientation. I’ve decided to help in calming down the noises of misinformation, prejudice and fear.
I’m starting to see that having a public debate or discussion about it is an opportunity for people to shift at least some of their attention to LGBT rights. While it is encouraged to reason with those who are against it, using degrading words and actions in order to mock someone’s religion or to get your point across is highly discouraged. Much like fallacious logic, bad words and actions are useless, counterproductive and hurtful in any discussion. Let us all do our best to refrain from it even though we may be tempted by the irate that at times washes over the issue.
I’ve come across a lot of marriage equality dialogues that ranged from being funny to downright aggravating. The following are some of the common reactions of anti-LGBT people to America’s positive ruling of marriage for LGBT. Thanks to social media, it has been easier to address them. It has been more convenient to squash uneducated notions surrounding it, albeit, gradually.
Oh, the slippery slopes again…
…In which marriage is only defined by the couple’s baby-making prowess
Talk about irrational fear…
Gay marriage is hard to understand, apparently.
…Oh the inconsistencies hurt my head @@
Much has been said, much has been done. And yet, there are still much more to be said and done in order to reach a positive change with LGBT rights. Despite the antagonistic sentiments and mentality against it, I am optimistic that the desired progress and goal are realizable. It gets better, always.
