Did Gays Ask for "Too Much Too Soon"?
Many commentators like to push the meme that the Goodridge decision in Massachusetts was a mistake in that it “ignited” the backlash of state referenda banning same-sex marriage in 13 states.
Putting aside the obvious (yet generally ignored) observation that same-sex marriage was already not legal in any of these states (does anyone really think Kansas or Virginia were moving toward a pro-gay body politic any time soon?), now the supposed Massachusetts “causal connection” is itself being exposed as questionable.
This Steve Sanders post excerpting a quote in a forthcoming book on the subject, America’s Struggle over Same-Sex Marriage, about the politics of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts:
After [Massachusetts' highest court's] decision was rendered, legislators who were terrified about going to marriage, but were not bigots, were desperately trying to get us to accept civil unions. The funny thing is that legislators who were previously opposed even to domestic partnership benefits started to trip over themselves to give us civil unions. They were truly confronted with the possibility that we were going to get marriage. Yesterday, they couldn’t give us domestic partnership health insurance benefits; today, “Here, take civil unions.” This was immediately after the Goodridge decision.
In other words, before Goodridge, gays in Massachusetts were fighting for crumbs; suddenly they were being offered half a sandwich.
These examples demonstrate only one aspect of the “full marriage now” movement that is ignored by more timid gay activists; there are other aspects (e.g., why should private plaintiffs seek “permission” from professional gay activists before suing for their equal rights?).
Twenty years ago, even five ten years ago, the issue was not anywhere on the radar screen — now it is one of the top five mainstream political issues. Bigots are being exposed for their bigotry, straights of good will are speaking their conscience; municipalities and — I think more importantly — businesses are taking a (pro-gay) stand across the country. Civil unions and domestic partnerships are — gasp! — actually working. The glacier is picking up speed.
And this is somehow a bad thing?
As I have blogged previously, it’s all well and good for professional gay activists to advise going slowly, waiting “a generation or two.” Except that I’m 38 — I don’t have a generation or two. (I don’t have a boyfriend either, but that’s a side issue…)
What I do have is money, intellect, education, a blog, and — if need be — access to the courts.
Who are you to tell me not to use them?
Related Posts:
Can Extant Gay Marriages Be Nullified?
Is Marriage a Positive or a Negative Right?
Gay Marriage as the “New Abolition”
Gay Marriage: Any Lessons from the Boy Scouts?
The Ghost of Dale Continues to Haunt
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