Thanks to Markos for calling attention to US Census media rep Cynthia Endo's idiotic characterization of gay marriage as a "lifestyle" to be ignored in the 2010 census, and not a "number" that might warrent counting. I'm so sick and tired of my GAY marriage being called a lifestyle that is somehow oddball, scary, sinful, worthless or negligible. HOW DARE YOU, CYNTHIA!
More after the fold (I think...this is my first diary).
This "lifestyle" word was the same one my conservative Methodist aunt used when she wrote me a brief note saying that after much thought and prayer, she would not be coming to my wedding. She could not support my lifestyle choice. This from a 50+ year old always-single woman with no children and only 1 niece (my sister, who's HETERO wedding she did attend) and 1 nephew, me! My lifestyle? Really? What about me being gay has anything to do with my lifestyle as a married man?
My husband and I are both employed, and at times have supported one another through periods of unemployment and under-employment. We dated long distance and then lived together for 2 years before getting married at a church in Chicago. We had 2 ministers perform the ceremony, had beautiful music, readings, attendants and a kick-ass reception. We share joint ownership of 3 cars and 2 bank accounts. We have a houseful of non-human animals that we lavish our attention on, hoping for the day when we will have a human baby to add yet another wonderful dimension to our family.
We are monogamous, care greatly for each other, have been through couples therapy together, and taken vacations together. Our "lifestyle" is so typical of thousands of other married couples. Yet straight couples will have some way of designating their "lifestyle" as "married," while my husband and I will be denied answering in that manner.
PLEASE stop calling my sexual orientation a "lifestyle." It's just that. It's how I'm hardwired regarding my romantic-sexual attraction. My married lifestyle is no better, no worse, no more or less worthy or special than my sister's married lifestyle. Cynthia Endo, what is YOUR lifestyle? How will you be allowed to answer on the 2010 census?
UPDATE: Tip jar is kinda far down...forgot about that! Thanks for the reminder, and thanks for everyone's comments!