March 05, 2004
The big day, and then...
Marriage equality (AKA gay marriage) has come to Portland, Oregon. My boyfriend was out of town at a conference when marriage licenses started being issued, and was a little worried that he wouldn't be back in time for us to take advantage of this window of opportunity before it closes. How about that? Along with everything else that we are faced with in this struggle for fair and equal treatment, we have to worry that any opportunity will be the only opportunity. He never imagined that he would ever get the chance to marry, I thought it would come in some form eventually, but that when it came it would be here to stay, not these frustrating fits and starts we have now.
Most aggravating is those against gay marriage — both Democrats and Republicans — who stand up and say they're for civil unions, but not gay marriage. Yet not one politician has yet put forth legislation for civil unions in the midst of all that is happening around this country, they merely use it as a cushion to their constituents (Democrats), or to seem more compassionate (Republicans), as they stand against marriage equality for gay and lesbian citizens.
I will be really sad if our marriage is invalidated in this process, and we're put through this again. Sad especially because even though it means a lot to me, it is more painful to see someone you love be disappointed, and it will really disappoint him. But it could happen. Our Govenor, though he's a Democrat, has already issued a statement saying not only do our laws not allow same sex marriages, but that he himself is against gay marriage, even though he is for — you guessed it — civil unions.
No legislation for civil unions was called for by our Govenor when he made his statements.
Posted by GA at March 5, 2004 12:21 AM
