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There are many reasons why Democrats - whether straight or gay - should support equality for gays. From a society standpoint, it is wrong to treat an group of people as second-class citizens. The arguments that allowing gays to marry or have civil unions will hurt traditional marriage is a straw man, often put forth by people with history of serial adultery and divorces. If they truly wanted to "protect" marriage, they would outlaw divorce. But we cannot let our desire to see full equality for gays be used as a smoke screen as they seek to legalize their "right" to discriminate, to be bigoted and homophobic. California's Prop 8 is important, but we've got our own fight here.
Seth DiStefano of the West Virginia ACLU has a great column in the Charleston Gazette today about what the bigots and homophobes are really up to in West Virginia and where we need to make our stand
As many will remember, landmark legislation protecting West Virginia's gay and lesbian community nearly passed the 2008 legislative session. Supported by a diverse coalition that included leaders from business, labor, faith and others, Senate Bill 600 passed the State Senate unanimously and was reported strongly out of House Judiciary before being held over in the Rules committee. The prospects for this legislation look very good for the upcoming legislative session, and those opposed to fair treatment for all West Virginians know it. Therefore, they have decided to try and change the subject, even going as far as to arrogantly assail our state's governor in two op-ed pieces and on local talk radio.
The promoters of this diversion have no intention of garnering support for their latest wild goose chase. What they are after is the defeat of comprehensive nondiscrimination legislation such as Senate Bill 600.
These right-wing ideologues learned a valuable lesson last time around. West Virginians do not believe that it is all right to take away a person's livelihood or home because of their sexual orientation. That sentiment is reflected in the tremendous progress Senate Bill 600 made during the 2008 Legislature, as well as in the continuity of support the measure has received since then. Legislators know that now is the time for West Virginia to remedy this wrong, and the right wing, whose hatred runs so deep that they would still fight to take away people's homes and livelihood based strictly on their sexual orientation, knows they have to change the subject, and quickly. So, they have set their sights on a non-issue here in West Virginia - marriage equality.
We need to take the energy and support for gay marriage and make certain those activists and supporters are focused on Senate Bill 600.
Legislation on housing and employment is not as exciting as the worthy goal and importance of marriage, but it is important to win these fights against discrimination. To do that, we've got to focus like a laser to persuade the delegates and senators in Charleston.
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