Quote:
Originally Posted by awediot
Hey Jen... You leave Vegas a little money left  ... Good to hear from you...
Man I'm getting jaded...but, so what? So do it's greatest foes...
We can legally enforce equal treatment when it comes to civil rights. We cannot make people accept or respect us as equals... I fear that many are hinging their self-worth on getting some laws passed, erroneously expecting that to transfer into some change in the hearts which will just keep thinking the abominations are at the gate and taking over the country... Our fight is a noble and just one, but after the celebration, and gay couples must now examine whether or not they really want to marry their current partner, since the law is no longer an excuse, we will at best be invited back aboard a sinking ship... That day will have been worth it if we can keep some perspective on it. It will grant us the same benefits, responsibility, and right to the red tape as the rest of the world is privileged to have to cope with. It won't make us actually be, or feel more loved for long...
I don't want nor have any reason to burst bubbles, and assume the struggle will pay off within a decade at the latest...But I am compelled to deflate a few now, as they have built up some outrageous expectations that no mere new rule could ever fulfill, and they are setting themselves up for an anti-climactic fall... I hope and pray SF is not feeding into that delusion by pinning too much on shifting policies that no one should mistake for a little salvation. Some may find that their problems are far larger than what the umbrella of human rights can heal. |
Boy I've missed you! Vegas didn't get any money from me, I went empty handed... and the gambling age is 21 in NV. Anyway...
Yeah, you're a little jaded if you're about to underestimate the power of a loving community. Love is all there really is in this world, it's the only thing that will ever bring true happiness.
Perhaps you're right, there may be a handful of people out there that are blaming their lack of rights for all of their problems. Those people might want to talk to a therapist because they have bigger things to deal with.
From what I see though, most people are not asking for the law to tell them they can love someone, we're asking for the commitment that allows use to stand by our loved one's sides no matter what and take care of them. The legal right to marry brings a lot of benefits and a lot of responsibilities. People want the commitment that makes them work things out in those moments when we want to walk away. Without a legal tie, it's too easy to walk away. With children, it's easier to adopt if you are married and if you do split, there is protection for those kids. Changing the laws and changing hearts are two different battles.
As for changing hearts, we can't force anything. If you could force love it wouldn't be what it is. What you can do is increase awareness and hope that those who hate will realize that there is nothing to hate. Hearts change over time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt Algren
It sounds like you're questioning the "God's okay with you being gay" thing, and that's a whole different discussion.
As for Nathan's question, I'm wondering if message boards in general are on their way out. There are other ways to reach people and direct the discussion more effectively. Maybe it's time to shut down and try one of those.
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Awe is a little off topic, but not really because he's talking about the way the forums affect the community and some concerns he has regarding certain things.
Shut it down? I called that going one step forward, two steps back. I think these forums have a lot to offer and by just being here people can benefit from them. When someone needs them just send out that cry for support and they come back to life for a while.