The Tenther Grapevine
Most people have strong feelings about gay marriage. The idea of same sex unions is a topic that places various moral values in direct conflict, a recipe for violent struggle time and time again throughout history. As supporters of state sovereignty, however, those who rally around the 10th Amendment should find it easy to reach a consensus on one main point- that the Federal government has no place in the discussion.
The fact that DC politicians, who care only for themselves and increasing their own power, have the audacity to involve themselves in a choice as personal as marriage should be an affront to anyone who values liberty and individual freedom. Marriage is an issue that should be discussed at family dinner tables, in churches or anywhere close friends come together- NOT in the halls of congress.
As with the Republican and Democrat categories, it matters not whether someone is a liberal, conservative, gay or straight in this fight to reclaim our republic. The only pertinent question is this: Does a given person or group stand against the further centralization of power in Washington DC, or do they stand with Big Brother and the forces who seek to control and make personal decisions for us?
As a group of people who have ample experience dealing with diminished personal privileges, it is a natural fit for gay rights advocates to join this battle against those who seek to impede the freedoms of all Americans.
Last week in California, John Perez became the first openly gay official to lead any state legislature, in fact declining an opportunity to join the CA senate in order to do so. Though not heralded as widely as our first female speaker of the US house or our first black President, this milestone opens the door for a new chapter in the battle against Federal overreach. A new opportunity has emerged for gay rights activists to rally around this state leader and demand sovereignty under the 10th Amendment. If that opportunity is taken, all Americans, both homosexual and heterosexual, will reap the benefits.
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People should be able to marry who they want, no matter their gender.
...Obviously, I support gay marraige but if the fed govt were to force it upon the state after a vast majority of its citizens said no then that seems wrong to me. And I know that it would not improve relations between homo and hetero which should be the ultimate goal. So I believe (for better or worse) that the issue should stay in the hands of the state.
... taking away the rights (in a few states) of those that are. I'm not a single issue voter and I am not a gay rights activist ( I do live my life in the open and the community still sees fit to bestow their trust upon me to UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION and the laws of Alabama) but I do stand behind the 10th amendment movement. I applaud my state govt for passing the Sovereignty Resolution. Like most gays, I am a proud American. I love my country and continue to serve it everyday (on a local level). I want to see it continue as a symbol of freedom to the rest of the world. Which is why I am in favor of this movement. Yes, gay marraige is a hot topic. And 80 % of the voters in the state have shown they are not in favor of it. I have to accept that. But, opinions change over time. Even here. More of us "come out" everyday and show our neighbors that we are not what you see on tv. We are just like you.
...But I remember when a few states had given marraige to gays, Bush proposed a constitutional amendment to ban it. This was at about the same time he was proposing to grant amnesty to illegal imigrants. Serving as a city police officer, I thought..wow..this guy wants to give rights to people that aren't US citizens while taking
I believe that you will find that a large number of gay people (myself included) are in favor of a "smaller, less intrusive" govt. As someone born and raised in rural Alabama, I think it's safe to say that I am no stranger to the debate of state's rights. Some might label me a "tenther" and I suppose they would be right. Many gays would be hesitant to support the 10th amendment movement as the only job protection that some of us see (Alabama) comes from the Federal Govt....
Well said, Bryce. I have often thought that gay rights advocates would make ideal allies in the fight for smaller, less intrusive government. After all, they know what it is like to be on the outside looking in.
Thanks Josh! Indeed, Gay Rights activists have used a 'bottom up' strategy for a long time now, we can learn a lot from each other as allies.
Agreed, Josh...the key is to keep these issues on a state or local level. when both left and right truly see this as an advantage....then we'll see some major changes in the system.
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