In 1965 the Supreme Court of Canada labeled Everett Klippert a “dangerous sexual offender” and tossed him in prison because he had admitted to being gay and having sex with other men.
Forty years later in 2005 the Canadian Parliament passed a law officially recognizing and making same sex marriage legal and legitimate.
Wow…we’ve come a long way, baby! Or…at least some of us have. On one hand I am so very thrilled to live in one of only three countries in the world to have taken this giant leap, and yet…
There are still dissenters. Two provinces and a territory continue to refuse to adopt the legislation. Politicians debate the legitimacy of the law citing some of the most ridiculous reasons as to why it’s not valid. Why it couldn’t possibly represent the majority of Canadian opinion. Why it threatens the very fabric of our society.
It threatens the fabric of our society. I see. And how do we figure this, exactly? Will the existence of the law act as permission for millions of gay and lesbian people to suddenly erupt from the closet? Abandon families, husbands, wives and children and flock to local ministers to tie the knot before spilling into the streets in mad abandon? Dancing naked and engaging in public homosexual sex-acts, thereby enticing innocent law-abiding heterosexual to abandon their values and dabble in the dark arts of male/male tonsil-hockey and…gasp…anal sex?
THIS is the kind of attitude that continues to baffle…and yes, distress me. Why does our society, on the whole, continue to be so threatened by anyone who is a little…different. Who doesn’t fit into those small round holes we have drilled out for them?
The institution of marriage is not permission or a license, or the only established way to have or raise children and build a loving family unit. Marriage is a celebration of love and commitment, and in a world where traditional marriages dissolve as easily and routinely as Kool-Aid in water it should be encouraged and affirmed as such. Whether it is between two men, two women, a man and a woman shouldn’t matter. And frankly, whether it’s recognized by the state shouldn’t matter.
Having said that, however, there are legal issues, issues of financial benefits and child custody that such a law facilitates and I don’t blame this segment of society for seeking legitimization. And I do believe that such a law provides that—a tangible validation for the ‘square pegs’ in our society. It heightens awareness and inspires discussion. And while the debate may be infuriating and frustrating at times, I take comfort from the fact that at least, in this new Millenium there is discussion, and that the issue is no longer so cloaked in secrecy and scandal.
As an author who writes—and very much ENJOYS writing—tales of same sex romance, I applaud this law. And I also hope that my stories will have their small part in promoting awareness and acceptance of an alternative lifestyle that has been feared and persecuted, but an indisputable part of society since the dawn of time—and that will continue to be part of it long after my books have turned yellow and disintegrated into dust.
How do you feel? Would you like to see your government consider such a law? Do you see problems with it? Moral issues? Whether you agree or disagree…I’d like to hear!
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4 comments:
Unfortunately, Nikki, small minds are usually accompanied by big mouths. I have many Gay and Lesbian friends. I cherish their friendship, their kindness, and am always tickled by the humor in their bitchiness--provided I'm not the butt of it.:-)
I live in what's commonly described as the "buckle of the Bible Belt," where alleged "family values" not only prohibit legalizing same sex unions but prefer to keep children in the onerous conditions of foster care and group homes rather than giving them the opportunity to be placed in happy, loving homes with same sex couples. It's a travesty.
On a less political note, if you haven't read Nikki's work, particularly her fabulous novels published by Cerridwen Press, you're missing a real treat. I give them all five stars!
Micqui Miller
Thanks, Micqui! And thanks for bringing up the issue of adoption! I had completely forgotten about that angle. Yes...such a crime to have so many loving couples 'disqualified' simply because they can't have sex in the missionary position. That's what it boils down to, isn't it?
Ridiculous.
Nikki wrote: **As an author who writes—and very much ENJOYS writing—tales of same sex romance, I applaud this law. And I also hope that my stories will have their small part in promoting awareness and acceptance of an alternative lifestyle that has been feared and persecuted, but an indisputable part of society since the dawn of time—and that will continue to be part of it long after my books have turned yellow and disintegrated into dust.**
Very well said, Nikki! I too enjoy reading and writing same-sex books and/or sex scenes. Hopefully we can blaze a new path one typed word at a time! *G*
Titania
I believe if two people love each other, they should be together. Sexual preference shouldn't make any difference in how we view a person. Unfortunately, it does. People are often judged by stereotypes instead of what they're like on the inside.
As for same sex books, I've written one so far and loved it. Two hunky guys who love each other and also want to please the heroine. How delicious is that?
Lynn
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