thomascwaters.com

I was both utterly surprised and at the same time, found this so totally predictable:

“One by one, other states would fall into Satan’s hands,” he wrote. “Every child, when growing up, would fantasize marrying someone of the same sex. More children would become homosexuals.”

Anyone writing about the marriage equality movement could easily feel schizophrenic. On the one hand, with loss after loss piling up, it can seem as if it is suicide to keep pushing for same-sex marriage. But on the other hand, when you look at the arguments expressed by opponents, they seem so utterly insane. It is clearly just a matter of time before there is equality for all, and same sex couples can marry everywhere

The quote above is from one of the defenders of Prop 8, who has been asked to be taken off the list of defendants, but gave this statement anyway. In it is all the insanity and hatred, that defines the movement that opposes same-sex marriage. I don’t often write about hate, and have gone so far as to say that to call “it” hate is a mistake. By “it” I mean the whole of the anti-gay movement, and I stand by that claim. There is hate in there, and there is other stuff in there, and all of it needs to be named and called out for what it is.  But hate is one ingredient to be sure.

Groups like the National Organization for Marriage, claim that this is about protecting the sanctity of marriage, but the above quote points out how ludicrous that claim is. There are 3 parts to the quote which are important:

• Satan
• What every child fantasizes about
• More children to become homosexual

As important as these three statements, one other element is crucial. The anti-gay movement can only be strong while hiding. In secret. That is why we see campaigns of fear mongering, lies and misinformation followed by public votes made in secret. But the above statement was expressed because it looks as if the Federal Prop 8 case may be broadcast on YouTube after a delay. This will bring it into the light, and that will be good for everyone. Two elements feed and perpetrate the anti-gay movement. There is a far right radical fringe that make up the movement itself. These individuals then construct campaigns of lies, and misinformation designed to scare a majority of people. Not everyone who claims to oppose gay marriage is such a hate monger. Many are generally good people who have bought into the lies and misinformation. The more these individuals see truth, the less likely it will be for the fear mongering to capture them.

Satan

Satan is one of those biblical characters that can be found in Christianity, but may or may not really be of much power. I grew up as a Methodist, and I don’t remember Satan talked about at all. It wasn’t until my late teens when I was briefly involved with a full Gospel pentecostal church, that I really learned about Satan. This isn’t mainstream Christianity, but rather the far, far right fringe leading others here.

Children will Fantasize

This statement alone ought to be enough to wake up most of the American people, although I’m afraid it won’t. However, I think it lends evidence to the claim that those who are so opposed to homosexuality, are those who are fighting it within themselves. Why else would they think that everyone would have these fantasies, unless they themselves do?

More Homosexuals

This is the saddest element from this quote. After how many years of civilized culture, where homosexuality in some form has been known, are we ever going to come to terms with the fact that homosexuality is a naturally occurring phenomena? There are hundreds and thousands of gay people today who were born and raised in a time without same-sex marriage. and they are still gay. Allowing same-sex marriage won’t make children gay.

But this last claim illustrates the real push of the anti-marriage equality crowd. It isn’t about the sanctity of marriage, it is to stop homosexuality. It is because children being homosexual is bad. Period.

For this reason, we must fight the anti-marriage movement with everything we have. Even if we are not really for marriage, or even if we feel there are other fights more important to be fought. Underneath it all, it is the same battle- that being gay is OK. It doesn’t matter if that is framed in a non-discrimination law or a marriage law or an anti-bullying law. Being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer is OK.

See you on YouTube!

via Calif. Gay Marriage Defendant Wants Out of Case – NYTimes.com.