No One Wants to Be Called a Bigot

[William769]

“I’m not a bigot,” many people are saying these days, as the same-sex marriage debate reverberates nationwide. “Please don’t label me like that. I just don’t want others changing the nature of my marriage as the union of a man and a woman. Call the gay connection something else, but don’t meddle with the most important role in my life.”

Can we take this sentiment at face value? Can a person truly make this statement without there being any homophobia below the surface?

Advocates of same-sex marriage respond by saying: Isn’t marriage all about love and commitment between two people? Isn’t the desire to achieve personal and public recognition for their commitment actually enhancing the institution, not degrading it?

A majority of Americans — at least according to the major polls — now support marriage equality, and those in favor are disproportionately from the younger generations. But even here, there are solid ranks who don’t want marriage to change.

http://www.advocate.com/commentary/2013/08/12/op-ed-no-one-wants-be-called-bigot

[xchrom]

1. well if -- and i say IF -- they're not bigots -- i have a different message for them.

they don't get to define and control what an institution -- like marriage -- for every one else.

we are all invited to that party.

[unblock]

2. the only way gay marriage "diminishes" anyone's heterosexual marriage is if

one of the partners is actually gay and the legalization and greater social acceptance of gay marriage gives that person a more viable option for a happy life.

as if being in a straight marriage where (at least) one of the partners is a repressed homosexual is a recipe for a wonderful life.

[unblock]

3. also, it's just the label they don't like. they're fine with bigotted views.

[Mnemosyne]

4. Maybe they should stop acting like one then. nt

[William769]

5. Answer of the day!