Makes Sense to Me

I have been having difficulty trying to put to words how I feel about civil rights legislation and the idea of my civil rights being put to a vote. Some would question why I feel so pessimistic about things changing here in America. Then I came across this quote:

"In ______ we've never taken the view you should have votes on human rights. Otherwise, minority communities would be pushed to the sidelines and denied their rights. It's a fundamental value here in Canada that questions of human rights aren't put to that sort of test.'' -- Jack Layton leader of the NDP (National Democratic Party)

His simple explanation of why matters of civil rights should not be left up to the people to vote on makes so much sense to me. I have recently come to the realization that we are founded by Christian fundamentalists. We will always be a Christian nation and no matter what gays, lesbians and bisexuals will be a minority. An invisible one at that. What I mean by that is this: racial discrimination is clear. When you see someone standing in a white hood burning a cross chanting “nigger” that is clear to everyone (even those involved) that it an act of racism. However, when I go into work and talk about the weekend I had with my husband and some of my Christian co-workers tell me that I am going to go to hell, that is not any form of discrimination.

The fact of the matter is that in all but a few states and municipalities, I can still be fired for being openly gay and I have absolutely no legal recourse. If my husband is in the hospital in most cities I am no more special than a stranger off the street. If my husband goes back to school and I work to support us both, he can potentially be taxed for the support that I give him, because it can be considered his income. There is only one problem with everything I have listed here, is they really only affect a small minority of the population.

Wherein lies the true struggle. How do we make those around us understand what the law actually says. Most people assume that because we are the “most free” nation, these laws must already exist. I was recently in a discussion with someone who said simply “that’s discrimination.” To which I replied “yes, but perfectly legal.” So, bottom line, until our cause becomes the nations cause, we will be left in the dark, without a vote, without a voice.