Dan Savage on the post-Prop. 8 protests

[nova_one]

Dan Savage spoke out about the post-Prop. 8 protests on his latest podcast. His logic is sound and his delivery is frightfully witty - I know some of the impact is lost in transcription, but here goes:

The leadership of the Mormon church is a bit upset about the protests that have broken out all over the country… that are thrilling and heartening

Comments

[lullaby_lune]

did you see this video?

I think it's a surprising but relevant comparison.

[ext_135583]

Hey Will!

I agree that recognition is half the battle, but there are a lot of reasons that gay marriage needs to be recognized de jure - not least of all next-of-kin rights and medical benefits. And should same-sex couples in Cali get the right to adopt (as was recently the case in Florida), or if a lesbian couple decides to get themselves knocked up, that opens a whole new legal door to issues with custody, parental leave, etc. The law is supposed to work FOR the good of the people, not AGAINST it!

Rebecca Anne Clark

[nova_one]

Good points. I had similar, but vague ideas in the back of my head when I posted this, but I also thought that the more usual path to change is through the people first and the law second, and if everyone simply saw marriage as marriage (regardless of its legislative status) the judges would eventually be compelled to extend all the other benefits and protections. Since going forward on legislation seems to be unpalatable right now (and being in an environment where legislation like Prop. 8 can pass), it might be better to just change social practise.

But yes, those medical benefits, next-of-kin rights (especially if one didn't take the time to tap out a legal will - many have not), adoption rights and parental leaves will be serious bugaboos in the meantime, and may have to come via one court challenge after another, but I think we'll get there eventually.

Good to hear from you!