subject: My "Domestic" Terrorism [print this page] My "Domestic" Terrorism My "Domestic" Terrorism
I'm terrorizing my country. How you ask? By demanding I have the right to marry the person I love.
According to some, marriage is a sacred commitment that should be reserved only for a man and a woman as explicitly outlined in the Christian Bible. And while it takes superior restraint to prevent me from pointing out the flaws in their logic, I am willing to concede that marriage has taken on a religious nature. And for that reason, I concede to my inner terrorist.
By definition, a terrorist is one who, "terrorizes or frightens others." Apparently my marriage to a woman causes fear in others. The thought of being treated equally as my heterosexual counterparts will lead not only to the downfall of the family structure, but also lead to the deflowering of random school children, the collapse of Western Civilization as a whole and the eventual invitation of the Anti-Christ into the world. While some might look at this as an over-exaggeration, to others, this sentiment might not be detailed enough.
By making my "choice" to marry my partner, I'm obviously a willing participant in this act of religious rebellion. It's this act that makes me a terrorizing figure to the American family structure. I'm willing to bear this title if proponents of "traditional marriage" are willing to concede that divorce lawyers and reality shows have a greater impact on marriage and relationships than my lowly life will ever have. How many VH1 and Fox reality shows need to be made before we acknowledge that society doesn't value marriage in the same way it idealistically preaches?
But before we walk in the present, a long hard look in the past will also find many irregularities in "traditional marriage" argument. Historically, marriage has had little to do with love and more to do with "contracts", "agreements" and "property". It takes longer to dissolve a marriage legally than to fall out of love with someone. The definition of marriage has changed so many times throughout history it leads one to believe that there's no true "tradition" within it.
Unfortunately, you can't have this argument without mentioning that Holy book - The Bible. While the topic of Adam and Eve is usually the first that comes to mind, most will overlook the many instances where polygamy is not only acknowledged but encouraged. And while a handful of Biblical characters have been linked to polygamist acts, none are bigger than Abraham, Saul and David. But as always, it's easier to excuse or dismiss these arguments because they are inconvenient truths out of the line of reasoning for casual discussion.
Marriage has never been sacred sad to say. It has always been about marking a person as property or as an asset. However, I view MY mate as the love of my life. I do not look at marriage as a contractual obligation for our financial well being. I don't want to just file taxes together and fill in the marriage bubble on an application. My marriage to my wife means that this is the woman I have chosen to spend my life with. She is mine, and I hers in life, in love, in spirit. Isn't this what real marriage is supposed to mean? Doesn't it mean more to love someone with everything that's in you, rather than to focus on "the definition" of marriage?
In grade school, we learn everything by definition. We learn that a feline animal is spelled, "C-A-T". We learn that 1+1=2. We learn that the wheels on the bus go round and round. But in life, we learn the philosophies of our existence. Things are not limited solely by their definitions, but go on to have in depth, profound meanings.
Only in religious discussions are "definitions" upheld beyond the human experience. Despite what people may think, I love my wife and sex was not the building block to our relationship. Our relationship is not defined by our genitalia just as it isn't for heterosexual couples. Our love should be acknowledged and measured in the same context as any couple.
It is for that reason, and that reason alone, we fight for equality. Our only request is to not have our rights determined by our sexual organs. For this, I will gladly accept the title of a "domestic terrorist" over the insult of being called a "domestic partner". Why should my relationship carry a different title when the love is the same? Ironically however, even a true terrorist who is considered a threat to our country is still given the right of marriage. How is that fair?
So yes, I will terrorize your definition of love. I will terrorize your sense of family and "traditional values". I will make you question what you hold dear not because I want you to doubt them, but because I want you to see things from a new point of view. In November 2008, 52% of Californians made a decision for me. They decided that I am not equal in terms of love and contract. They decided my relationship is a threat to their definition of marriage which they obviously hold dear. It frightened them to a point that my liberties have now been restricted.
I guess for the traditional marriage proponent, traditional ideals mean more than my happiness as an individual. It is because of you people that I wear my terrorist badge with pride! After all, one man's terrorist, is another man's freedom fighter. And no one will fight for my freedom harder than me.
