This week, the Supreme Court heard arguments on California’s Proposition 8 and DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act). Both set a landscape that could lead to marriage equality on a federal level. Supporters of same-sex marriage are hoping for a clear win on both, but it appears the justices are evenly divided. A decision won’t be announced until late June.
But social debates about the matter are raging today.
From Twitter to the water cooler, many do not understand the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) fight for civil rights. But look at history — when are fights for civil rights ever understood? Women, African-Americans, Native Americans, the poor — they were always supposed to “know their place” before they began demanding rights. History is also instructive in another regard.
In one of the oddest moments of Tuesday’s hearing on Prop 8, which banned same-sex marriage in California in 2008, Justice Alito said gay marriage is newer than cell phones and the Internet, so needs a lot of consideration. Huh? There are documentations of same-sex marriages dating back to Jack Baker and Michael McConnell, who tried to marry in 1970, but were denied the right. They are still together today. In ancient Egypt, the male couple of Niankhkhnum and Khnumhote — whose joint tomb immortalized their love in 2400 B.C. — stand as another testament. Justices ruling on gay marriage who are uninformed about the lengthy history of such marriages is deeply troubling.
History will also show that same-sex marriage is not solely an LGBT issue. Marriage equality affects America at-large, including African-Americans. Expanding the conversation beyond sexual orientation is paramount to understanding a simple fact: all marriage transcends identities. There is much common ground for all to benefit from same-sex marriage, especially for those who seek to improve society overall. Let’s take a look at some key issues that will affect us all in the long run.
Immigration:
Making marriage equal on a federal level will have an enormous impact on immigration. According to Center for American Progress, 30 percent of the over 900,000 LGBT immigrants living in America are undocumented. The right-wing fears the triple-threat of immigrant, black/brown gays becoming American citizens via same-sex marriage and joining the left. In addition, there is a quiet fear that those “radical” gays might willingly marry an immigrant just so he or she can escape their native country and become a voter. Same-sex marriage is another pathway of citizenship for West Indians, Mexicans or anyone from the continent of Africa to become “legal,” especially for those seeking asylum. The powers that be in the GOP are terrified. But this might be a boon to other parties.
The Economy:
Same-sex marriage boosted the economy in the states where it has passed. When marriage for all couples became legal in New York, New York City’s economy saw a growth of $259 million in one year. According to The Williams Institute, same-sex marriage could improve the economy of Maine, Maryland and Washington by $166 million over the next three years. Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama and other states could use a couple hundred million extra dollars for education, poverty aid and social services. Are fanatical beliefs based on selective (and misunderstood) religious texts reason enough to prevent communities from growing through this needed revenue? Maybe… America once discharged valuable gay, Arabic linguists from the military during a critical war in the middle east for violating the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in effect at the time. We can tell that was an ignorant move on many levels now. Will we continue to cut out our gays to spite our “freedom”?
Perceived Homophobia in the African-American Community Hurts — Us:
Not all African-Americans are homophobic, which is a myth that has tainted perceptions of the black community. The perception of African-Americans as anti-gay is damning, especially from a community that is descended from slaves… and don’t think there weren’t same-sex relationships during the Antebellum South. But since President Barack Obama’s personal endorsement of same-sex marriage, African-Americans are supporting marriage equality at higher numbers than before. In November 2012, Edison Research, after a national voter exit poll, reported 51 percent of African-Americans support same-sex marriage for their state. Much of the credit goes to President Obama, but the LGBT community has always been an essential part of the African-American cultural experience — we are your family members, your friends, part of history and, most definitely in the church. And any failure to continue to expand that understanding will hurt us more than anyone else.
Homophobia is ruining lives. Homophobia is helping to increase the preventable HIV/AIDS rates in the black community, stamping further stigma on the disease, because it leads to less conversation about prevention and intervention. In order for the black community to progress, there must be unity with LGBT brothers and sisters to stop this plague.
Furthermore, federal same-sex marriage is a validation. If your son or daughter is legally married — their husband or wife will legally be a member of your family. Sure, parents can still reject their children, but when your son’s husband has rights related to death arrangements, finances, and other privileges of marriage, you are forced to acknowledge their love as being something with origins above the groin. Being gay or lesbian is not about the sex; it’s the emotional connection. By denying these bonds we are hurting the black family even further, which many already would agree is in growing disarray. Whether you are hurting a gay-partnered family, or relations between such families and their extended families, African-Americans can’t afford to be further torn apart.
Which side are you on?
America is in the middle of a heated cultural war. Blood is being drawn on both sides. Rights, traditions and and the selective memory of history are up for debate. Unlike any time in the U.S., almost every group believes its right to exist is at risk, and some think denying others’ rights is key to preserving their own. African-Americans’ lives are threatened by laws like Stop-and-Frisk and Stand Your Ground. Brown people are asked to “show their papers” or be deported. Muslims are public enemy number one. Women’s bodies are in danger of the government attempting to rule their uteruses.
Within this wide context, the LGBT community is demanding equal rights and must beg the Supreme Court for approval of their loving unions.
You can make the choice to march forward or march backward regarding any or all of these issues.
March backward like Helen Kendrick Johnson who opposed women’s suffrage in the early 1900s. March backward like George Wallace who fought against integration in the 1960s. March backward like Senator Jesse Helms who believed those infected with HIV/AIDS didn’t deserve humane healthcare.
Or you can march forward.
In August, we celebrate the 50th year of the March on Washington. I vote for us to march forward, not backward on marriage equality and all related issues that ensure personal freedom.
Which will you choose? Do you want to be on the wrong side of history?
Follow Clay Cane on Twitter at @claycane.