This past year was highly emotional regarding the issue of Marriage Equality for same-sex couples. We won victories in states through the state legislatures of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The LGBT community also saw Marriage Equality won in the state of Iowa through state Supreme Court decision. Thus, we have had a lot of movement forward. Sadly, with the loss of equality in Maine, we are reminded once again as we were in California that certain states have the ability to strip us of our rights by mere ballot initative. Marriage Equality is vital to the LGBT community not merely for the over one thousand federal rights, but also it is representative of being fully equal to our Heterosexual friends. Thus, the question becomes: In this new year, what about 2010?
The LGBT community and our Heterosexual allies need to keep writing to our state as well as national representatives about the importance of civil marriage as a civil right. Domestic partnerships and civil unions do not afford all of the same rights and responsibilities as the secular, state derived institution of civil marriage does. Thus, we must continue to write to and possibly speak to our elected officials ourselves as well. It is vital that we remain engaged both politically and socially as a movement for change that finally respects the equal dignity of LGBT Americans. Hopefully more states will join Iowa, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Washington D.C. in 2010.
Unfortunately, the state of New Hampshire which just recently began allowing same-sex couples the right to a civil marriage, is already facing challenges from the anti-Gay presence there. Author from the Advocate Michelle Garcia in an article titled N.H. May Vote to Repeal Marriage states:
A New Hampshire state representative is working to bring marriage equality to the voting population, despite the law legalizing same-sex marriage going into effect last Saturday.
Rep. David Bates, a Republican representing the Windham area, said he hopes that voters will be able to make their feelings on the marriage issue known on March 9 during the upcoming town meeting vote.
What is it with these Republicans having such an obsession with Gay and Lesbian couples of New Hampshire? As it was in Maine, we have seen a repeated pattern from the anti-Gay right attempting to repeal equality in these individual states. It is terrible, but we are reminded in this new year that the same old divisive and bigoted tactics against us are going to be employed. Hopefully this proposition does not go anywhere in New Hampshire, but nonetheless, we are reminded that we must remain cognizant of such issues in 2010. These ballot initiatives seem particularly disturbing because it is taking away peoples rights. Should Gay people be allowed to vote on 'Heterosexual marriage'? The stunning bigotry, double standards, and hypocrisy displayed from the right wing are as transparent as they are ignorant.
On the positive side of things for 2010 it is looking like New Jersey has at the least the chance of passing a Marriage Equality bill. According to Advocate editors from the article Marriage Vote Thursday for Jersey Senate:
With time running out for the New Jersey state senate to vote on marriage, NBC New York is reporting there will be a vote on same-sex marriage in the lame duck session of the New Jersey state legislature on Thursday.
"We're gonna post the bill and see what happens," Senate President Dick Codey told NBC.
Once again albeit in a different state the LGBT residents of New Jersey will get to see which of their state Senators support or oppose basic equality for same-sex couples. I'm hoping so much that this passes, and does eventually become law with Governor Corzine signing it before he leaves office. However, if the bill fails, at least those who support Marriage Equality will know which candidates to support and which to primary at a later time. Thank you to all of the activists within the state of New Jersey which have even made a vote like this possible in the first place. If you do not emerge victorious this time around you will have better knowledge of who to speak with the next time around.
I want to wish all of my friends here and beyond a happy and successful New Year. The LGBT community went on a roller coaster of emotions in 2009, and I hope there will be more cheers than tears for us in 2010. We have to keep the hope alive and must never give up because to do that would be to give up on our very lives. Therefore, we have to keep this momentum going by demanding nothing less than the full equality we deserve as citizens of this nation under its laws. We will eventually get there in every single state and at the federal level. Please elaborate on any strategy ideas, personal stories of marriage, or so on in the comments.