It’s often lost on gay-rights groups that they and their allies are the aggressors in the culture war. Indeed, they admit to being the “forces of change” and the “agents of progress.” They proudly want to rewrite tradition and overturn laws. But whenever they’re challenged democratically and peaceably, they instantly complain of being victims of entrenched bigots, even as they adopt the very tactics they abhor.
While I disagree with the motives, the arguments, and the tactics of the same sex marriage opposition movement in general, and in California specifically, it is TRUE that the challenge was democratic and peaceable. Moreover, criticisms regarding out of state funding are hypocritical. The pro-same sex marriage side did its fair share of national fundraising. (I know. I gave money.) So instead of blaming Mormons, let's talk about the real problems. Let's talk about 52% of voters who voted for Prop 8 in California after being culled by the politics of privilege and fear. Let's talk about the problems inherent in allowing constitutional amendments that can challenge basic civil rights to be determined by ballot propositions.
And finally, let's talk about how the tactics referenced in the article do nothing to belay the concerns of those people who feel that somehow the expansion of rights to one group infringes on their ability to hold a contrary opinion. I disagree with arguments that civil marriages for all in some way limit religious freedom, but it is not wrong to suggest that by normalizing this right for same sex couples, it will not affect how people view churches (and more importantly, those who attend them) who continue to distinguish between heterosexuals and everyone else. I say this because in earnest, all of us on the pro-marriage side of things KNOW that is what we really hope will happen. We hope that somehow people will see that the only consequence of same sex marriage legalization is gay people marry. That this will in turn show people that being gay is not a sin; it is not immoral; it does not endanger families; it is not a communicable disease; it does not mean you are a child molester; etc. So yeah, its legitimate to worry that the granting of marriage rights to same sex couples will paint those who continue to hold negative views about the LGBTQ community as bigots because that's exactly what we hope to happen. So instead of denying that possible outcome, let's work to address the negative stereotypes that perpetuate the bigotry in the first place. People suck, but they don't have to and singling out one group for prominently sucking is not going to change anything.
