Same sex, same difference, same deal

Come on, Australia, step up and just legalise it already. No, I’m not talking about that, that’s next week’s blog post.

The curly truth

Let’s face it, same-sex marriage is going to happen. It’s inevitable. My days, we even have mixed-race marriages now. [I said that in a low, incredulous whisper, mind you. I don't want my neighbours to hear.]

Lead the way, Australia. We got into trouble for following the US into war; let’s prove we can lead with a real human rights and equality agenda that is honourable. Even the Pope can seemingly give way on the contraception issue [to which my best friend said was "too little, too late." I see his point. I hope he can elaborate in his comments on this post.]

Give it to ‘em straight

Let’s not have our country be victim to eye-rolling of half-assed, insulting concessions like Ol’ Popey’s if we are going to recognise same-sex marriages. Stop side-stepping, tap dancing, avoiding the issue. Australia does not have a strong religious base, it is a first-world country, majority of polled citizens support same-sex unions, and it has the 2 major cities that outrank San Francisco in the pink population stakes. So what is the big deal?

And I don’t mean “what is the big deal” as if to trivialise it or be disrespectful. Same-sex marriage itself, as a union, is not a big deal. It’s akin to women studying at university. Cue eyebrow raises and outbursts of: “Of course!” “Why wouldn’t they be able to?” “It’s their choice to go and the choice should be available to them.” Yes, debating the legality of same-sex marriage is as ludicrous as debating whether females should attend university. I repeat: ludicrous.

Same-sex marriage becomes a big deal when it is being debated as an issue with which NOT to go forward. The debate is getting tired now, let’s lay it to rest and catch up to the 21^st century. Actually, let same-sex-marriage take a breather while the 21^st Century boneheads catch up to IT.

So who’s afraid of the big, bad (pink) wolf?

I need to be enlightened on the reasons against same-sex marriage.

“Marriage is between a man and a woman.”

Yes, that is one version of marriage. I ask what is the difference if it is between people of the same sex.

“If it’s not a man and woman, the sanctity of marriage is ruined.”

Please tell me how having 1 man and 1 woman makes a marriage more pure. I think a marriage is pure if the people love each other, not because of their gender. If you match-make me with that mouth-breathing man on my bus whose penchant for racist jokes is just as questionable as his penchant for plaid pants, ”pure” is not a word that springs forth to mind.

Any other rational arguments?

Religion?

[I said rational.] Australia is not an overly religious country, our PM swore an affirmation not a Bible oath, and it is acknowledged Australia is secular in political views. All due respect to religion, but it doesn’t factor much in our democratic nation. A majority (60%) support same-sex marriage doubling those who do not, and when I last looked majority is what ruled a democracy. Next!

Morals?

“It’s just wrong.” I think boys wearing skinny jeans and eyeliner is wrong but they still roam free in the meadows.

Fear?

Of what? But I thought everyone wants a gay best friend because they are so “non-threatening”. Aren’t lesbians “hot”? My tongue is pressed firmly in my cheek. Of what are we, as a country, so afraid? That the gays will be happily married? That this “gay-ness” is catching? That the straighties will be forced into non-consenting same-sex unions? [Like that doesn't happen in hetero unions, and that is a criminal issue, NOT a same-sex union issue btw.] That homosexuals will taint the “sanctity” of marriage? [Because a man who bashes his wife doesn't do that, or a woman who weds a man for money.] Then Australia, show us how not to be afraid, don’t perpetuate the fear.

But I am afraid. I am gravely afraid of countries that turn a blind eye to sexual-oriented bashings. I am deeply afraid of religions that preach treating all humans equally and with respect, but condone sexual discrimination. I am terribly afraid of the UN recently removing “sexual orientation” from a resolution that protects people from arbitrary executions. But I am most afraid of my country seemingly tolerating this with its silence and non-action.

In the words of the great Aung San Suu Kyi: “It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it.” I am not saying Australian politicians are corrupt, but I’m definitely putting forward the argument that their perspective is. Is Gillard afraid to stand up against the world’s views? Afraid to be the unpopular (read: correct) voice on the world stage? But she is not afraid to ignore a popular song on the national stage because those who oppose it have the loudest [though minimal] voices of all. Scared that these minimal voices will cause a lag in the polls?

It’s precisely this fear [Australia's apparent fear to rise against the world's obvious fear of homosexuality] why Australia should be compelled to legalise same-sex marriage. To make it a big deal that we don’t actually think it’s a big deal.

It is my hope, nay prediction, that once someone makes a move it will be a domino effect. Fears will be eradicated. Other countries will take our lead. Take Tasmania for example. Ironically, Tasmania, the last state to decriminalise consensual homosexual sex and the focus of human rights debates in the ’90′s with the Toonen case, recently endorsed same-sex marriage. C’mon! Even the literal butt of all our nation’s jokes has caught up. Your move, Gillard.

Moet milestones

Of course, it will be a monumental big deal when [not if] same-sex marriage is recognised. I will be chinking my Moet glass with my best friend in celebration of the milestone, and no doubt will be part of many bridal parties celebrating a union. But my toasts will include the words: “About bloody time!”

And you know what, I guarantee the human race of XXXth Century will view the dogma behind these oppositional arguments, with their knowledge of equality and human rights and the evidence of happy unions between hetero and homosexual couples, and will inevitably shake their heads, wondering, indeed, “What was the big f*cking deal?!”