Social justice does not require proper timing.

[LeftHander]

(I posted this another thread and felt is deserved it's own.)

No time like the present for marriage equity.

Why would one time be any better than another to bring marriage equality to all?

The fact is this issue of same sex marriage has been around for a long time. Forever same sex couples have been discriminated against not only in marriage but all kinds of other areas that heterosexual couples take for granted. This issue is not new. It has been known by same sex couples in America since it's inception and beyond.

Now that our society recognizes that gay people can and do form loving lifetime bonds it is time to afford these couples and the hope for millions of single gay people, the same rights as heterosexual people have. And it is a priority not just for gay people but for all people in this nation who are really concerned about freedom, equality and liberty.

Some of the issues same sex couple face have already been addressed...such as corporate benefits for domestic partners and marriage equity in Mass. It was inevitable that the legal issues surrounding same sex marriage were going to be addressed sooner not later.

With the conservatives stacking the courts it simply is the right time to take on this issue. Now is always the best time to address social injustice.

The conservatives simply reacted in the only way they know how and that was to oppose using the political momentum that they have now and fear and hate that is the core of their beliefs. So as they push for a outright ban on both the federal and state levels the GLBT communities and civil rights organizations are rallying to oppose and win the battle for equality.

Yes the right can and will use this issue as a wedge issue for the opposition and a rallying point for the base. But the principle behind the issue is far more important than the short term goals of the conservative leadership.

The fact is people are unfairly being treated in the "land of the free and home of the brave" and nothing else in the history of this nation promotes freedom and equality like a battle for equality. Be it emancipation, women's suffrage, civil rights or gay marriage what is at stake here is the very foundation of what this nation was built upon, equality, freedom and liberty.

Those are not liberal or conservative buzz words those are true American values that we all share. When it is recognized that we all cannot share in those values we enter into a period of political social adjustment. The process can be long and slow and the battle bitter and emotional but history has shown that liberty, freedom and equality ultimately prevail. And those values are on the side of allowing same sex couples to wed and be free to share the benefits that heterosexual couple now enjoy.

The battle is on. And I am one small voice in that battle among tens of thousands. I heard at a FAIR Wisconsin rally at PrideFest in Milwaukee this weekend the roar of thousands who are ready to take this battle to conclusion for as long as it takes. It has started and it is not going to stop until we have FREEDOM and EQUALITY to marry for all in this nation.

Through history Americans have stood on the side of the oppressed and have fought bitter battles for equality and justice. The right wing has awoke America and as the groundswell of support for marriage equity grows it is going to sweep this nation clean of the hate and injustice that are manifested by the likes of homophobic conservative Christians and the politicians that pander to them. Do not compare this battle to any false war created by neocons. Do not underestimate the power that equality and freedom has on this nation, those that threaten it should be prepared because this nation is going to rise up and sweep those who oppose freedom and equality aside and usher in a new era for America.

[TechBear_Seattle]

1. "Now is always the best time to address social injustice"

I would slightly disagree, in that yesterday is usually a better time. Otherwise... :clap: Very well stated.

[Amy6627]

2. as MLK Jr. put it-- It's always the right time to do the right thing!

I really wish that the Dems would pander to their base like the Repukes pander to theirs. Instead they are always trying to be repuke-lite to get the swing vote. If they always said and did the right thing without doing a focus group or listening to what the right tells them they should do, we might start winning elections. There are more registered Dems than repukes in this country, but if we don't have a clear message of who we are, the Dems that are not as involved as DUers or activists, will continue to stay home. The Dems should say loud and clear that Gay marriage is a civil rights issue, no one's religion can play a part in deciding who has rights in the country and who does not.

[Odin2005]

3. We can't help gay Americans unless we get back into power

And we won't get back in power if we insist on ideological purity on social issues. True or not, the avereage American probably considers the plight of African-Americans far worse then that of gay people (gay people arn't prevented from voting, for example). Also, religious sentiment was mostly on the side of African-Americans, IIRC, nowdays it is mostly against gay people, the situations are not comparable.

[LeftHander]

4. We will have the power....one way or another.

Either in legitimate elections, by indictments and impeachment or by some other means like millions of people at the gates of White House, like some third world two bit regime....Eventually Americans will grow weary of the constant justifications for driving this nation to war and backwards into legislated discrimination. The neocons have driven the nation to the brink and are fighting to maintain power.

They are losing.