FollowUp 1: The Devotion Project

As in November, the Devotion Project brought me to tears again.  The story of Simon Lev Fitch-Jenett and his moms is beautiful and well worth the ten minutes to watch.

The point should be glaringly obvious to anyone with a heart.  Families are real when they are based on love and commitment.  Families are not limited by gender or sexual orientation or other artificial barriers.  Now it is time for the government to recognize and respect all families with equal treatment under the law.

Thanks to Joe My God for the heads up.

15 November 2011, Original Pedantic Political Ponderings post.

Praise: Maureen Walsh - Mom Extraordinaire

Washington State Republican Maureen Walsh is extraordinary.  Please take four minutes and watch:

Praise: Craig Stowell and Calvin Stowell

Brothers stand up for one another.  Republican Craig Stowell shows what it means to really be there for his brother.  Watch.

This is what equality is about.  It is about love and family and commitment.  It should not be about political party or even about religion.

Thanks to the Human Rights Campaign for placing this on YouTube.  Thanks to Joe My God for the heads up.

12 January 2012, Update:  Will notes in the comments that maintaining marriage equality in New Hampshire is supported by 62% - 63% of the populace.  While human rights and civil rights should never be subject to a popular vote, neither should they be legislated away.  We can hope that the New Hampshire legislators listen to their constituents.  I will also note that Will is among those who have been fighting the repeal of marriage equality in New Hampshire.

Praise: Christopher Ryan Offers Lesson for Rick Santorum

On 6 January 2012, Dr. Ryan's article in Psychology Today is a clear refutation of many of the points that Mr. Santorum continually makes on the campaign trail.  The brief opening line is an apt summary.

Rick Santorum doesn’t know what sex is for.

Here are a few teasers about why you should click on the first link above and read the full article.  First is part of the response to Mr. Santorum's argument that contraception is morally wrong.

For Homo sapiens, sex is primarily about establishing and maintaining relationships—relationships often characterized by love, or at least affection. Reproduction is a by-product of human sexual behavior, not its primary purpose.

Mr. Santorum argues for monogamy.

Of the hundreds of species of primates, there are precisely no monogamous species living in multi-male groups—except humans, if you buy scientific or religious arguments for the naturalness of human monogamy.

But isn't it really all about having children, without which there is not future for society?

Santorum is inadvertently correct that sex “keeps civilization going.” But he’s wrong to credit only heterosexual reproductive sex. Sex of all kinds comes naturally to our species, and most of it has little to do with reproduction, and a great deal to do with loving one another. Sex and love hold communities—not just families—together.

Dr. Ryan is offering the orthodox opinion of the medical and the scientific community.  It is time for the outdated notions of Mr. Santorum and his ilk to be relegated to history books along with other forms of senseless bigotry.  Go on ... read the full article.

Praise: Governor Chris Gregoire on Marriage Equality

The Governor of the Great State of Washington gave a speech today on marriage equality.  In it she put to rest most of the silly arguments against equality that we keep hearing.  Here are a couple of excepts

Some argue that the state should deny a marriage license to same-sex couples based on the premise that marriage is for procreation. Do we then deny a license to heterosexual couples who choose not to have children?... To those who can’t have children or those who adopt?...
To those who have children through in-vitro fertilization?

Some argue that same-sex marriage weakens the institution of marriage. Is this a role of the state? If so, it has failed miserably with a divorce rate among heterosexual couples now at about 50 percent.

Some argue that the state must deny a marriage license based on religious beliefs.

With a marriage license, couples marry in civil or religious ceremonies.

In issuing the license, the state should not involve itself in an applicant’s religion.

So far, so good.  She gives an excellent history of marriage.  Then she continues.

When someone asks me what marriage means, I don’t think about the legal protections of a marriage license. I think about love, commitment, responsibility, and partnership.

Same-sex couples should not be denied the meaning of marriage. They have a right to be equal!

Much more on politics in Washington State and the nature of the populace.  She concludes.

As Washingtonians and Americans, we have serious problems to address – a far-off war, the Great Recession, more than 13 million people looking for work, worldwide economic competition.

Loving, committed married couples of any sexual orientation can only help us. They can help us defend our Democracy, help our neighbors, and build strong communities. And they will.

Fellow Washingtonians: Throughout our history, we have fought discrimination. We have joined together to recognize equality for racial minorities, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, religious sects.

Please answer the call to support equality again in our great state. It is the right thing to do and it is time.

Thank you.

Thank you, Governor Gregoire.  I have done a disservice by only copying parts.  The entire speech is well worth reading.  Washington State has chosen its governor wisely.  They are leading the country.  Eventually we will follow.

Thanks to Joe My God for the heads up.

5 January 2012, FollowUp 1.

Praise: The Devotion Project

Last week I wrote about the importance of emphasizing commitment as suggested in a report by the Third Way.  As I have thought about this more, it makes more and more sense.  Then, today, I was sent a link to the Devotion Project.

The Devotion Project is intended to document devotion and commitment of loving couples.  The first video is ten minutes that will require a tissue when viewed.  It is beautiful.  I hope that there will be subsequent films.

As the political battle for full equality for all citizens continues, I am going to be looking for more documentation of commitment like this.  My relationship with my partner (marriage is not legal where we live) started in 2005.  I can imagine fifty-four years together, although if I live that long I would be quite elderly by that time.  It is a lovely goal.  Every loving couple should have the opportunity to have legal recognition of their love and commitment.

Thanks to Care2 for the heads up.

10 April 2011, FollowUp 1.