Some props to Brian Brown of the National Organization for Marriage for going on Michaelangelo Signorile's radio show to talk about marriage. Regrettably, Signorile wanted to talk about gay equality, and that's a language Brown doesn't speak. In fact, if Brown has mastered any skill to qualify him for his present position, it is turning the conversation away from homosexuals and focusing only on heterosexuals.
Brown was insistent that "We should all share the same basic rights," but every time Signorile tried to pin him down on what legal rights same-sex couples should have, Brown changed the subject. He would much rather talk about heterosexual grievance.
That is how the anti-marriage forces succeeded in California. They turned an election about gay inequality into a town hall exposing how lesbians and gay men mistreat religious believers and parents of schoolchildren. Brown learned the lesson well. To hear him tell it, we have utterly overpowered heterosexuals and are bullying them without mercy. If only we could have used our superpowers to change the law that discriminates against us. . . .
Brown clearly intends to follow that script in Maine and if he gets the opportunity, Washington. Once again, the right will try to erase us from the discussion, and focus only on themselves. Hopefully this time around we won't assist them in that strategy.
One Comment for “The Debate Over Heterosexual Grievance”
posted by jerry mickle on
In an article in the Washington Post, Brown maintained that his opposition to same sex couples being allowed to marry was not bigotry, but just a nod to historical precedent and the welfare of children. Of course he offered no plan except that children are better off with their biological parents. I am 71 now, and I have no idea who my biological parents are. I do know that the heterosexual couple who adopted me when I was two weeks old were wonderful people and they must have been pretty effective as parents, I have never been in jail or even accused of having committed a crime. I pay my taxes, or did when I had enough income to exceed the taxable threshold. I have never suggested that someone should be fired from his job for being heterosexual, or denied access to any of the rights of a citizen of the nation.
Yet suppose I were to begin a campaign to have states deny marriage to Roman Catholics claiming that it is for the welfare of children. Marriage promotes child bearing according to Brown. Roman Catholics should be discouraged from doing this because they will then give custody to priests who will molest them. It is better not to have children who are then given over into the care of abusers.
It would take less than two seconds for people to understand that this is bigotry and could only be done because of hatred for Roman Catholics who have never harmed me specifically and although they have brought harm to many, I don’t think they have actually intended that.