I'm Voting No

I was looking for a safe way for me to express my views regarding the upcoming "marriage amendment" vote in Minnesota (and let's be honest, I have far too many words to share my thoughts in a Facebook status message), so this was the first platform that came to mind.  I'll be the first to admit those who aspire against my beliefs and opinions will be able to dissect my words, however, they are my opinions and I will not feel bad for feeling the way I feel.

How I will vote in November, and why:

I will stand proud, and vote against the marriage amendment by checking the "no" box.

Raised in the catholic church, being taught to feel guilty for EVERYTHING, I currently label myself as a "recovering catholic."  Religious/spiritual views aside, how is this proposed amendment any different from the Civil Rights movement?  To those of you voting yes, why are you repeating the same mistakes made fifty years ago?  I just don't get it.

Sure, you could argue it violates your beliefs; but only because you feel the word "marriage" is religiously tied to your beliefs....

so let's take a look at the webster's definition of marriage:

1a (1) : the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law (2) : the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage marriage

>

b : the mutual relation of married persons : wedlock

c : the institution whereby individuals are joined in a marriage

2: an act of marrying or the rite by which the married status is effected; especially : the wedding ceremony and attendant festivities or formalities

3: an intimate or close union marriage

of painting and poetry — J. T. Shawcross>

Nowhere in that definition do I see the word "religion".  I see the word ceremony, sure, so let's take a look at the word "ceremony":

1: a formal act or series of acts prescribed by ritual, protocol, or convention ceremony

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2a : a conventional act of politeness or etiquette ceremony

of introduction>

b : an action performed only formally with no deep significance  

Voting "yes" on the basis of religion is invalid.  I don't care if your church or religious organization uses the word to define your religion's ceremony...the fact of life remains, a ceremony is something (anything, really) that YOU want it to be....NOT something that is ONLY DEFINED BY A CHURCH. 

Try to tell me you want to vote Yes because you think homosexuals abuse children (blah blah blah), and I'll find empirical studies that PROVE YOU WRONG. 

To be gay is not something you can "diagnose" or "treat with therapy."  To be gay is to be gay.  Period, the end.  Stopping this ridiculous amendment would allow homosexual relationships to be legally recognized, and rightfully so.

How would you feel if you were denied the opportunity to be legally recognized in a relationship, and your other half fell ill, or was tragically injured in a car accident?  Do you realize if you did not have legal recognition as being this person's partner, you would not be privy to medical information?  Do you realize you would not have the authority to keep your spouse on life support, or taken them off life support if that was the wish of your spouse?  The doctors wouldn't be able to speak with you.  You would have zero rights, and if you've ever been unfortunate enough to be in that position, having zero rights is a terrifying situation to find yourself in. 

Seriously, if someone, ANYONE could produce a valid, sound reason to vote yes, I dare you to try because I firmly believe a valid, sound reason to vote yes does not exist.  Why be discriminatory?  Why oppress the rights of humans?  Are you God?  And if you refuse to abandon your cowardly "religious beliefs", whatever happened to treating your neighbor as you would want to be treated? Do you honestly think it would be fair if a homosexually ruled government refused to pass a law recognizing a heterosexual relationship as legal?

To the people out there who want to pass the marriage amendment, I challenge you to open your hearts, and your minds.  Stop trying to act like god.  Stop trying to oppress a population of amazing people that completely deserve the right to have their relationships legally recognized.

Regardless of the outcome of the election in November, I know for certain I will shed tears.  Tears of joy that many people whom I love with all of my heart will have the legal recognition they deserve if the amendment is knocked down.  Tears of disgust if this ridiculous amendment passes.