Unbelievable.
Growing up my mum and dad instilled in me a wonderful sense of love. Love was not discriminatory; there were no limitations on who I could love, what I could love, when I could love and how I could love. I was taught that love was not merely a sensation but that love is the brightest light from God and that the only way to ensure it would shine was to both embrace love and deflect hate.
I believe this concept of love has been taught due to the spirituality my parents embrace. My mother and father have always encouraged us four siblings to have faith and through their non judgmental teachings we now each have our own ideas, own beliefs and although we do not all agree with what the other believes, there is no conflict for we respect each others choices. My own personal choice of ideas stems close to the study of Buddhism. In the Buddhist belief love is the wanting of others to be happy. This love does not differentiate between genders, cultures, ethnic backgrounds or spiritual beliefs it solely revolves around a desire for all kinds to be happy.
Due to my education in acceptance I am finding myself challenged in understanding the hate, the obscene anger, the constant judgment and the overall ignorance in respecting every human beings rights to love; to love and be with the one they love and to have that love be respected and acknowledged. I am of course referring to Passage of Proposition 8: Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry Act.
An astounding 52.5% approved to 47.5% opposed vote, led to the redefining of marriage being strictly between one man and one woman. The passing of such an initiative is a land mark in history for it is the first time a group of individuals have been added to a constitution and then removed. This removal refers to the May 15, 2008 California Supreme Court ruling that ensured the dignity and equality in a 4-3 ruling in favour of equal marriage for same-sex couples.
The laws regarding same-sex marriages appears to still be a topic of passion and debate in almost all countries. I am fortunate to live in a country where same-sex couples are, at least in legal terms, accepted and acknowledged.
Status of same-sex marriage on and after 2005-JUL-20:
The Canadian Senate passed bill C-38 the late evening of 2005-JUL-19.
The bill was officially proclaimed as law on JUL-20. At that time, SSM
theoretically became available across Canada. However, there was one hold-out.
Prince Edward Island on the Eastern seaboard of Canada refused to issue marriage
licenses to same-sex couples. This situation was apparently unique in the country.
Fortunately, there is a fixed link between the Island and mainland, so couples were
able to simply drive across the bridge into New Brunswick, purchase a license there,
and get married.
As of 2005-JUL-20, 99.6% of the population of Canada lived in a jurisdiction
where same-sex couples can marry.
On 2005-AUG-19, PEI capitulated, and this became 100%.
I am incredibly proud that Canada has reached this goal of human rights but with that said we still have our own prejudices still being expressed to those who are homosexuals. One such incident occurred September 28, 2008. Jordan Smith, 27, was walking down Davie Street, hand in hand with a friend when a group of four to five young men allegedly approached them, screaming obscenities about the couple's sexual orientation. The verbal assaults turned violent when Smith was knocked unconscious with a punch to his head. The young mans jaw was broken and he required surgery to repair the fracture.
This young man was happily enjoying a moment with someone whom he cared for, perhaps loved when, unexpectedly he was intimidated, bullied and harmed and why? Because he cared about someone of the same gender and wished to express those feelings?
I am in awe that in the year 2008, love and sex and relationships are still a part of the law, still part of discrimination. I have always believed that what happens in the bedroom should have absolutely no place in the courtrooms. Two consenting adults who wish to express love or even lust for one another is no ones business and regardless of someone's beliefs/religions no law should dictate the biological, physiological and psychological passions of the heart.
I am grateful that I can not understand this hate, this fear which is based from differences. Are we not all different? Do we not all have a uniqueness which is individual and special? The very essence of our person is different: our DNA. With the exception of identical twins every human beings DNA is particular to that person. Should we not celebrate our individuality? Should we not embrace the characteristics that ensure we stand out? And should we not, at last, open our minds to the possibilities of this world, the joys and beauties rather than focusing on what scares us, what is unknown to us, what we may perhaps simply not yet understand?
I may become angry when acts of hate give birth to violence and I may dislike that people are still not treated equally but I do not shun those who point fingers and wish death. No, instead I try to open my mind and heart hoping that one day love will overcome all obstacles.
Until then I will continue to rally for those who still are verbally fighting for equality, trudging forward in this world, trying to pave a path of acceptance for those who follow us.
Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious.
Love does not brag, it is not puffed up.
It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful.
It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth.
It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Corinthians 13: 4-7
**Now, because there are always extremists who read journals allow me to state that my statement above does not include acts of child molestation, adult/child love sexual relations and or any other non consenting exchange of emotions and physical activities. My beliefs on being permitted to love whomever I wish does not mean it is okay to be intimate with a child. Some may think this is a contradiction to my above statement about laws and the bedroom but children need and deserve to be protected and I shall never believe it is okay for a grown person to have a courtship/intimate relationship with a child.