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I’m not going to claim to speak for anyone else who says this is a distracting issue, but I can say that when I’m inclined to argue that it is, it’s slightly partly when I’m afraid that a ban just… might… pass.

If the time comes when I’m inclined to say it’s important, it’s slightly partly because I think it’ll tip the other way.

Just a thought.

Those were my thoughts exactly when people said it wasn’t an important issue. I know a LOT of gay couples, and I am all too aware of how destructive that ban would have been to their lives had it passed. I have one friend whose partner is here on a work visa from another country. If they have no way to marry, and he can’t get citizenship in time (he’s been trying for years and it’s still probably a long way off), they will be separated – maybe for good. It’s very sad because my friend has been searching for the right man for years just like I have been. Now that he is in love, and he has found “the one,” that person might be ripped from him one day. I’ve found my “one” too, and I can’t imagine how painful it would be if he were sent away, and there was nothing I could do.

Anyway, it just seems ridiculous to me that given our country’s history, we continue to deprive certain groups of people of the rights that every other human being in the country enjoys just because they are different and somehow scary and threatening. It’s embarassing.

My guess is that we wouldn’t have been hearing much of the “distraction” meme regarding gay marriage if the nation wasn’t at war. (Speaking of which, I’m pleased to relay the news that we finally got Abu Musab al-Zarqawi).

That said, it’s a relief to see that the anti-gay marriage movement is starting to run out of steam. It may have helped get President Bush re-elected in 2004, but methinks the GOP has gone to this particular well one too many times.

I believe gay unions will eventually be accepted – I think it’s just going to take more time. It’s amazing what the gay community has accomplished just in the last several decades – more are coming out earlier, fewer are trying to live in the closet, etc. For me personally, this issue won’t be pushed to the side. It’ll be a lifelong effort – to educated the ignorant and right this wrong. I’ll continue to donate money to organizations I believe can help. I will ridicule homophobic behavior/speech. My future kids will not understand homophobia.

This is what I’m doing and will continue to do.