"We're just Ben and Paul"

[JackBeck]

A view of Proposition 8 from a gay man

By Ben Janken
Published: Oct 27 2008, 12:22 AM · Updated: Oct 27 2008, 12:24 AM
Category: Opinion

I’m just a middle-of-the-road gay man who hopes my marriage will survive the election. Missing in all of the arguments about Proposition 8 are a clear view of gay people and an understanding about what marriage means to us. This is my letter to voters concerning my marriage:

Two months ago, I married the man I love to the great acclaim of our families. Paul and I have been married in all but name for six years. We are contributing, tax-paying and law-abiding members of our community. We live active, positive lives. We are well thought of and live in peace with our neighbors. Despite this, some people think the fact that we are both men is the only thing of importance. It invalidates our love, our commitment and especially our claim to equality before the law. Some will go so far as to call us a threat to family, children and faith.

We’re not a threat to anyone or anything. Nor is our marriage. We’re just Ben and Paul. And we want to stay married.

Our love is as deep and committed as anyone’s. We married because we share our lives and fortunes together — just like you. We were excited about our wedding and sharing our joy with our loved ones — just like you. We have promised to be there for each other in sickness and health, for better or worse, for the rest of our lives — just like you.

(snip)

Gay people and straight people are pretty much alike, including such matters as romance, family, marriage and religion. And why shouldn’t we be? We’re your relatives and friends. We’re you. Are we not human enough, not citizens enough, to grant us the right to marry? We want for us and our families exactly what you get from our government: the same respect and equality before the law that you demand for yourselves. That’s it. Our lives and families are as valuable as yours. You don’t have to approve of gay people or be a part of our lives. We aren’t attacking your families, faith or civil rights, nor preventing them from being legally protected. Can you say the same about yourselves?

More at: http://www.eurekareporter.com/article/081027-a-view-of-proposition-8-from-a-gay-man

This just gets right to the point, doesn't it?