Captain's Log

Marriage v. Civil Unions, Part 1

In December 2008 I wrote an editorial in the Washington Blade on the subject of same-sex marriage, arguing that what we really want is equal rights and challenging the fight over the word “marriage.”  The comments, letters and emails responding to my call for Civil Unions for everyone - straight or gay - went from “absolutely,” to “separate but equal never works,” to “marriage is a religious matter, take the state out of it.”

My call for dropping the fight over the word is more than simply a defeatist stance, it is what I consider a more reasoned approach to the long-term implications of the separation of church and state and freedom of - and from - religion.

In a strange shift in the space-time continuum, both sides in the Proposition 8 arguments before the California Supreme Court in early March 2009 agreed with me.  And last week, Time Magazine published an article titled “A Gay Marriage Solution: End Marriage?” in which the author argued for Civil Unions for all, as well as getting the government out of what is basically a religious matter.

It’s been months since the “enlightened” voters of California disappointed not just the LGBTQ community - but the entire planet - in their ignorant attempt to define a single word.  And to take away (for the first time in the history of the United States except for Prohibition) a civil right as opposed to expand a right.

But they did, and the California Supreme Court appears poised to uphold Proposition 8.  Thankfully, however, without retroactively dismissing the 18,000 same-sex marriages performed before the hateful Proposition 8 was approved by state voters.

This has to stop. This war of words between “straight marriage” and “gay marriage” must end, as this particular elephant is sucking the air out of nearly every other issue the LGBTQ community is fighting for in nearly every corner of our country.  From hate crimes, to ENDA, to the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell legislation pending before the U.S. Congress - it is time to get off the “marriage” train, and get onboard the Equal Rights train.

In my Washington Blade editorial , I argued that it was all about nomenclature.  I believed then, as I believe now, that the United States of America should pivot to Civil Unions for all, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.  I argued then, as I do now, that the separation of church and state - enshrined in the American Constitution - demands that we separate the church from what should be a civic matter.  Civil Unions for All, and then you can (if you so desire) head to your house of worship and “enshrine” your love and commitment in any manner you and your partner so desire.

Marriage as an institution has evolved over centuries, at times being a legal institution and at times a religious sacrament.  In many countries, the legal rights of marriage are administered by the state. Holy Matrimony, a religious sacrament, is administered by the church.  In the good ole’ U.S of A., we've fused the two concepts in such a manner so that most people can't talk about one without the other.  If two individuals seek a legally recognized union in the eyes of the state, that should be a matter for the state.  Not the church.

This is not about separate but equal, it’s about equal rights.

It IS time to check the tires and take the air out of the word “marriage.”  Give my partner and myself equal rights now and I'll be happy to let religion manage everyone’s rights in what is routinely called “the afterlife.”

In one of the most striking portions of the arguments before the California Supreme Court on Proposition 8, both sides agreed that the state could resolve the equal protection issue of same-sex marriage by taking the state out of the marriage business.

An attorney arguing for overturning Propostion Hate, Michael Maroko, said; "If you're in the marriage business, do it equally. And if you're not going to do it equally, get out of the business."

Even Kenneth Starr, the Pepperdine law school dean and former Whitewater independent counsel who argued in favor of Proposition 8, agreed that it may solve the legal issues, although he said it was a solution that lies outside the legal authority of the court.

Likewise, the author of the Time Magazine article points to a paper published by two legal scholars from Pepperdine University (not necessarily the most conservative of universities, but rather close) calling for the government to re-examine its role in marriage.  In one of the best quotes from the Time article, the author succinctly states the following: “Instead, give gay and straight couples alike the same license, a certificate confirming them as a family, and call it a civil union — anything, really, other than marriage. For people who feel the word marriage is important, the next stop after the courthouse could be the church, where they could bless their union with all the religious ceremony they wanted.”

EXACTLY.

In 1996 the Hawaiian Supreme Court found the statute disallowing same-sex marriage unconstitutional, which prompted a voter-approved state constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and woman. That case also led to enactment of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, signed by then-President Clinton that same year.

What has followed has been a steady erosion of gay rights in nearly every state in the union. From the eastern seaboard to what we once thought were the “enlightened voters” of the West Coast - American voters have overwhelmingly said, through legislatures as well as through voter initiatives, that “marriage” means one thing - “between a man and a woman.”

If we are fighting over equal rights, then no time is as good as the present.  If we are, however, fighting over a single word, then it’s time to shed ourselves of that constraint and move the conversation forward.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for grabbing either a torch or a lamp to gain equal rights, although I have to admit I prefer the lamp of enlightenment over the fierce nature of fire.

It is time to stop focusing on a single word that empowers our enemies while disabling us, as well as our friends and allies. It is time to get rid of the polarizing words “sanctity” and “marriage.” It is time to aim for what we want, which is civil, legal unions for everyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

By letting go of the term “marriage” — and the battles being waged over it, we will win our war for equal rights for everyone - in a shorter amount of time.

Life, Passion and Careers.

This is my response to a question from a friend regarding getting started on a new career path:

//

Hmmm...

That's a good question, and sometimes I wonder which career I'm in.  From being a helicopter pilot (serendipity, in a fine moment indeed) to meeting a journalist on a flight from Washington to Rome via Paris, I'm still not sure how to answer that.

The easy way out is that I'm outgoing, and stood up on a plane in Paris (with a transfer to Rome) and went "Holy Shit! We're late, I don't speak a word of French, I'm going to Rome and have no idea what to do now!"

Two women who had been sitting next to me said "Don't worry, we're probably on the same flight."  They both were also fluent in French.  Along with 5 other passengers, we were escorted off the side entrance of the plane, down a jetway, to a waiting bus that took us on a winding path underneath the airport in Paris.  A woman with a walkie-talkie waved us through several security gates to an awaiting plane.  After we boarded, they let everyone else on the plane.  It just so happened that 4 out of the 8 of us were assigned to the same or adjacent rows.  We got to know each other, I still have the notes that I had them sign (I'm a writer, and usually carry a pad and a pen).

We still don't know who was the real culprit that they delayed a plane for the group of us.  But during that encounter, I met someone who introduced me to someone who hired me for a job I never thought about - international TV, radio and web-caster for the State Department.  I don't work for them any longer, but it surely expanded my knowledge base and skill level.

As for your question of how I did it?  I don't know.  It's a combination of serendipity and WTF, let me try this and see how it goes.

I flew upside down in a helicopter once (you're not supposed to do that...), and that was cool also.

My feeling is to be yourself, try not to lose your innocence, aim high, and be in the moment - as you never know what's gonna happen.  Flexibility is the key to thought.

Hope that helps,

John