[ed. 8.35a 7/19/06 – d]

The gay marriage ban, and the slew of legislation and proposed amendments to codify our nation’s majoritarian bigotry is kind of like a bad horror movie, which spawns a dozen sequels in as many years. Well, maybe not that bad – it’s more along the lines of “Scream,” which gave rise to a couple of half-hearted, teeny-bopper sequels.

Last month, the issue failed in the Senate and today, the gay-marriage-banning amendment failed to muster the requisite 2/3 majority in Congress to proceed. But the republicans in congress remain adamant in their position:

“Be assured that this issue is not over,” said House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill. … “We must not allow an institution of such great importance to be arbitrarily redefined for the entire nation by a small number of unelected judges,” said Rep. Joe Pitts, R-Pa.

…and the naked bigotry comes to light. This has nothing to do with redefining marriage for the entire nation. It’s about extending rights, freedoms, priveleges to a small minority, which in no way alters the sanctity of any traditional marriage. Anywhere.

“The overwhelming majority of the American people support traditional marriage,” said Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Colo., sponsor of the amendment.

Let me say this in a way which could not possibly be made more clear: “supporting” traditional marriage, and “allowing homosexuals to marry” are not mutually exclusive positions. I know this might surprise you, but I have absolutely no problem with a man who wants to marry a woman. I just don’t give two shits about it, because it’s commonplace. I’m outspoken about gay rights on this issue, because I believe in freedom, and any amendment that seeks to legislate the bedrooms of the nation, the hearts, minds, emotions, and lives of its constituents runs absolutely anathema to any notion of liberty. Any amendment of this nature is nothing short of oppression. As I’ve previously argued: “The belief that private actions, taken by consenting adults, can in some manner violate the rights of others, elsewhere, is absolutely untenable, … It is a belief that is diametrically opposed to the principle of free, individual choice, without which liberty cannot exist. No matter the minority, despite unpopularity, in order to remain a state that is free and just for all, it is eminently necessary that we guard and respect the liberties of all individuals.”

Support gay marriage if you love your freedom. I do.