Love conquers 8

Last Tuesday, I shuddered, along with countless others, when the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8. As the news spread from west to east, where it really got me was right in the middle – of my heart.

I have to admit, the ruling itself, which no longer allows same-sex marriage in California, wasn’t really a shock. After all, this topic has been a hot one ever since San Francisco Mayor Gavin Nessom first allowed gays and lesbians to get marriage licenses back in 2004. That crazy, crazy man.

Since then, thousands of couples have made public vows of commitment, shared homes, started families, been good neighbors, gone on vacation together … come on folks, what damage did it really do?

Like all of us, I’ve heard countless arguments against same-sex marriage. I’ve been directed to Bible passages that are hard to interpret (even as a Christian), listened to straight couples worry that gay marriage will ruin the sanctity of their own and even read some social networking blurbs on how Prop 8 is all about children – and making sure we make more of them. (If you’re shaking your head in confusion, you’re not alone. But Twitter wasn’t mentioned in the Bible at all, so I’m not sure that one counts.)

I’m saddened by the decision but am trying to keep it in context. After all, this is the same country where it’s a big deal to have a non-white president and we have to haggle over whether a Latina can be as impartial on the Supreme Court as all the white men.

It also took our progressive country a very long time to allow interracial marriages. In fact, this month marks the 42^nd anniversary of Loving v Virginia. Isn’t that amazing? Mixed-race marriage has only been legal in every state since 1967.

What’s even more amazing, though, is that in this day and age, there’s still a group being denied its civil rights in many, many states. Let freedom reign, indeed – except when it comes to the really important stuff – like love.

Although I’m being sarcastic, I’m really not bitter. In fact, I’m confident that love will eventually prevail. The contingency of same-sex partners, single gays and lesbians, their families, their friends, and their advocates is going to be stronger now than ever. And not just on the west coast either (hell, look what Iowa accomplished recently).

If nothing else, time will help. We will keep moving forward. People will become accustomed to seeing gay families. Most of them won’t even do a double take any more. And that’ll be it. Gay marriage will become legalized – and the gays will become just as boring as the straights.