Only last weekend I went to a civil partnership between two women. Two brilliant women who were clearly and deeply in love with one another. They made promises to each other, they exchanged rings, they had a first dance, they cut a cake. But one thing they did not do - use the word marriage.
In fact, I learned in one of the speeches that they were legally not allowed to use the word marriage. There were poems, readings and songs that they could not use because they contained the word marriage. For example, if they wanted to use Bruno Mars' song 'Marry You' it would be banned. Bruno Mars is banned from all civil partnerships. AND HE HAS SUCH GOOD SKIN.
This, of course, is pathetic and ridiculous but I highlight it because it's no more pathetic and ridiculous than not allowing gay people to get married in the first place. It illustrates just how far we have to go.
I write this in light of the recent pissy outburst by the ever hypocritical Church of England who have said that all of their fold are unequivocally against it (which is simply not true) and which has since been published in most major news outlets. And their arguments are unsurprisingly based on habit rather than reason. I'm baffled as to why we're listening to the C of E when they consistently operate like a national school bully. As I wrote on twitter yesterday, the church was set up by Henry VIII, a man who had two of his six wives beheaded. And they're telling gay people they can't be trusted with marriage. Having the C of E tell me that I can't marry another man is akin to having my old boss at mini-golf coming up to me in the street and telling me I can't have a shit break.
My issue here isn't necessarily what the Church or any other religious organisation has to say about it. They're pretty predictable in their archaism and cavalier contempt. My concern is that nationally publishing views from an old and out-of-touch institution, essentially saying that to be gay is bad for society, makes life so much harder for people that are coming to terms with their sexuality. They see that people who have come out are still struggling to get the same rights as everyone else. And so maybe they don't come out and live a lie. And that makes me sad.
When I was at school I was occasionally picked on by kids for 'acting gay' or being camp. I developed a line in riposte which was 'don't bend over then'. I was clearly an amazing child. But it made me think for most of my life that my sexuality would be a problem and that my life would never be as perfect as those kids who tormented me. A couple of weeks ago I saw one of those kids drinking a pint of lager in a Wetherspoons at 11am. And he was wearing a fleece. I realised, in that moment, that I totally win.
So, if you're one of those kids (or adults) that is scared to come out because people think it's wrong or that you shouldn't get married and live like everyone else, know that most of those people drink in Wetherspoons at 11am and wear fleeces. And you totally win.
If you'd like to stick your nose in, like the C of E did, on gay marriage you can provide your opinion in the Home Office's consultation here.
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Robin Lee: An Open Letter Regarding Dilettantes, the Bengal Tiger and Gay Marriage
" To use something for other than it was invented for "
And
" To gain sexual arousal from something not considered normal "
Homosexuality fits both these definitions, what do the Homosexuality Community want to do next, have this definity changed ???
It is like the Government changing the definition of " Poverty " to take thousands out of " poverty ".. is that right ??... Ofcourse not !!!!
'Normal' once meant no interracial marriage; no votes for women; children leaving school at 12 (those lucky enough to start); routine corporal and capital punishment; lower life spans for everyone and far high child mortality because no neonatal care of note or antibiotics or X-rays or radiotherapy or modern medicine of any kind; no IV conception; no electricity (damned as anti-christian by plenty when first discovered); no flying off on holidays; no carrots out of season etc etc. Unless you advocate everyone going back to live in caves - in fact, unless you actually live in a cave and eat only what you grow and catch, which you clearly don't as you're posting on this via your unnatural magic box of tricks - you should temper your fervent claims to absolute insight on what is 'normal'.
You remind me of that old quote from Bertrand Russell, "The whole problem with this world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts".
From the 11th century , translated from the Greek,
"That these thy servants, X and X, be sanctified with they spiritual benediction, we beseech Thee, O Lord.
That their love shall abide without offense or scandal all the days of their lives, we beseech Thee, O Lord
That the Lord God grant unto them unashamed faithfulness and sincere love, we beseech Thee O Lord"
From the 16th Century,
Then shall he place the holy Gospel on the credence table and those who are to be united shall place their right hands upon it, holding lighted candles
"Behold how good and pleasant it is for bretheren to dwell together in the love of God." etc etc
If you want to rely on the practice of the centuries, might be an idea to familiarise yourself with all of it.
Just saying.
It is easy to attack christin clergy and people who beleive in the traditional definition of marriage. Just as it was easy to out gay Bishops !
I'm a member of the C of E who disagrees with the Church position on this issue, as on others. But I'm glad that we have a national church that is unafraid to speak out on moral and political issues, even when the stance it takes is deeply counter-cultural. The Church of England may be old, but it is most certainly not "out of touch." Indeed, I think there can be very few institutions in this country as in-touch with the real social and political issues facing this country as the Church of England.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! I want some of what you're smoking! Keep the vicar, tea, coffee and most of all, the delusion! Thanks but no thanks. I find it so interesting that although you disagree with the Church's obviously bigoted (even to you) position on gay marriage you still go along with it and have the nerve to invite the author of this piece or any other equality-minded person to come along too. It's a bit like saying you disagree with the KKK's violent tactics but you're still a member because they're really very nice people under the bed sheets and pointy hats, so your black friends should come along for tea, coffee and a word with the Grand Wizard afterwards. Do you see how ridiculous it is now? Sorry but sometimes it takes putting the same idea into a different context to jolt one's mind out of its complacency.
But it quite clearly, as the official state church, does not.
As an organisation with unelected Bishops in one of our chambers of our legislature. As a church that tries to speak on behalf of people it does not represent.
When this Church busies itself more with the flower arrangements for Lent, then I'll agree that outsiders should butt out!
'This feels like it would be a valid contribution if it didn't briefly acknowledge but then completely ignore that the Church of England/the Church is made up of many individuals who don't deserve to be generalised and condemned any more than any other group of people in society.'
This is like saying "I'm friends with those people who threw stones at your house and even though I would never throw stones at your house, I don't see any reason not to be friends with them but I don't want you to hold it against me". Churches are pointless without congregations. If so many of you disagree with the Church's stance on equality issues why aren't you standing up and using your enormous collective power to make yourselves heard? If you don't stand up and say you're against something, you are implicitly furnishing it with your approval.
I think that historically most change in our world happens gradually - the few working tirelessly to see the change they know is right. Mass revolution - political, social, moral, religious, etc is very rare and often has as many if not more innocent victims as the 'slow war'. I guess my main issue though is anyone who campaigns for freedoms while using language that appears to indicate someone else should have less of them...
Injustices' are happening everywhere - there are children living in poverty in this country - we haven't all revolted against our governments each time they all promised to solve it but fail. Maybe we should? It just might not be the best way to solve the problem.
Rant over - I just passionately believe that right overcomes wrong, that not all means justify the ends and that tolerance by example could do with a little more profile. I believe we learn more by discussion, debate and learning than we do from trying to enforce anything on anyone else or rubbishing their beliefs. I have yet to meet/hear of a collective group of people all of
Indeed! LOL.