“We Have Nothing to Fear from Commitment and Love”

The quote is from New York State Senator Diane Savino, speaking about the same sex marriage bill that will be up to vote in a very near future.

Right now, here in Portugal, gay marriage is a hot topic. On friday the 8th of January of this very same year the marriage between two people of the same gender was approved. I don't know why it even had to be approved, our constitution clearly states that no one can be denied of any right based on sexual orientation.

I understand that many people feel uneasy, or even shocked to see two gay people in public displays of affection (even though it doesn't bother me any more than a straight couple doing the same - not that i'm a prewd, it's just that everything has an adequate time and place), and I (kind of) understand that some people think that it just isn't natural, and that if everyone was gay the human race would cease to exist.
The thing is, even if all of these are true for you, that still doesn't give you the right to step in and alter other people's lives. I see it as an inability to be humble enough to accept that one has no business deciding how other people live, how other people love, how they show that love, and how they commit to one another.  When you (or I) have close minded thoughts or make lewd comments about other people's sexuality and about what these people should do or how they should act, you (or I) are interfering with the expression of love itself; and that is, if nothing else, plain rude.

Everyday I make the effort of becoming more open to difference. It has proven quite a rich experience!
Only with what is different can we see ourselves, for being in contact with difference makes us realize what are our limits and limitations, what makes us gasp with horror or smile with surprise. And even more important, it makes us more human, because it allows to see something we're not used to, and after careful analysis (wich we all make, I guess) embrace it as acceptable, or dismiss it as reproachable. You might surprise yourself, and verify that you change your opinion about something.

How great would it be not for everybody to accept everything, but for everyone to make the real effort of embracing difference. I sure am trying. We become most alike when we agree (that we are different).

Peace,

D.


Link to the Senator's speech: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCFFxidhcy0&feature=player_embedded