Gay Rights

Last night at an annual dinner for the Human Rights Campaign, which is a gay civil rights group, Obama promised to repeal the military policy, don't ask, don't tell.  The crowd stood and gave him a standing ovation, but many wanted (and still want) to know when.  The President has been getting a lot of criticism from groups like these about the lack of attention he is showing towards gay rights.  Cleve Jones, a gay rights activist, said, "He repeated his promises that he's made to us before, but he did not indicate when he would accomplish these goals and we've been waiting a while now."

While I completely understand the desires of the gay community to fight for equal rights, I also understand why that would not be a top priority for the President.  This country is in the worst shape it has been in in nearly 30 years; we are currently fighting two wars, we have an outrageous debt followed by outrageous unemployment rates, and even a state talking about succeeding from the Union.  I can see where gay rights wouldn't make it to the top of a "things to do" list.  But on the other hand, I wouldn't think flying to Copenhagen to fight for the Olympics would make it to the top either.

I believe that the real reason Obama is dragging his feet on such issues is because it is an uncomfortable issue.  I agree that, "don't ask, don't tell" is not the greatest option but what is?  In a perfect world gays and lesbians would be able to join the military openly.  But, this isn't a perfect world.  Hate crimes do exist and they can just as easily happen in the military as they can on our streets.  Unfortunately, not everyone is comfortable with homosexuality and serving with, living with, an openly gay soldier can be uncomfortable for some.

These are the reasons that I agree with the current policy. What I don't agree with is a soldier being dishonorably discharged from the military because their sexuality is discovered.  If they willingly joined the military and put their life on the line for mine and your freedoms, there is nothing dishonorable about that. I have nothing but respect for all of the men and women that serve this country.  I don't know what the answer is.  I believe that anyone willing and able to serve should be allowed to; I just worry about their own safety.

The gay rights movement is not just about the military, it's about equal rights.  Activists are fighting for equality on a variety of issues such as hate crimes, adoption, employment discrimination, and marriage.  President Obama has said that he supports civil unions but not gay marriage.  This is one of the few issues that I can say; I agree with him 100%.

Civil unions would recognize relationships between gay and lesbian couples and allow the same privileges of marriage.  Some of these privileges include; status as "next of kin" for hospital visits and medical decisions, joint adoption, joint insurance plans, joint filling of tax returns, joint housing for elderly, wrongful death benefits for surviving partner, and many others.  If you have a problem with gay and lesbian couples receiving these same privileges, your problem is not with gay marriage; your problem is with homosexuality.

Vermont was the first state to recognize civil unions in 2000. But, there is no federal recognition - it is a state by state basis.  Tell me if this scenario makes any sense.  A gay couple has joined into civil union in Vermont.  One partner gets into a horrible car accident and the other rushes to see him in the hospital.  As long as the victim was taken to a Vermont hospital, his partner can visit him.  But, what if the accident happened in New Jersey?  New Jersey does not recognize civil unions and the hospital may or may not allow the partner to visit.  To me, there is no sense in this situation.  But it does represent the perfect reason for civil unions to be recognized nationally instead of on a state by state basis.

So, why civil unions and not gay marriage?  Honestly, it is just a wording, but it makes everyone happy.  Marriage stays between a man and a woman as defined in the bible and homosexual couples receive the same priviliges as heterosexual couples.  Two different wordings because it is clearly two different situations.  I understand why many heterosexual people do not believe in gay marriage.  What I don't understand is why many homosexuals are not happy with civil unions.  Why do gay and lesbian couples insist on "gay marriage?"  Why wouldn't it be called something else?  If the the government is willing to acknowledge same-sex relationships and willing to give equal rights, why is that not enough?