So, I'm in love with Ben Haggerty or, as you might know him, Macklemore. He's the Kick. Ass. rapper from Seattle. You might remember him from this post.
Anyway, he put out a song a while back called "Same Love" and donated all proceeds to The Marriage Equality Campaign.
As anyone who knows me can tell you, I am absolutely PRO marriage equality for too many reasons to list here. In my very humble opinion, if you're not, it's because you don't know what you're talking about...or you're just blatantly into bigotry...or you're afraid. It HAS to be one of those 3 reasons, because no one has been able to give a reason that doesn't boil down to one of those yet. EVER. The most common one we all hear is, "I believe marriage is between a man and a woman...because I'm a Christian." That's great! I'm happy for you! What the fuck does Christianity have to do with governmental policy?
Nothing?
Good. Glad you're with me.
Here's the thing: You can't support your own agenda for rights by denying the rights of others. It's an incomplete argument. Seriously. I'll explain why.
Look how easy this is:
Thesis: Gay Rights Should Be Legal
Major Premise: Humans should have the right to marry who they choose.
Minor Premise: Some humans are gay.
Supporting Statement 1: All men are created equal. Source.
Supporting Statement 2 : The Declaration of Independence says the legislature "shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." Source.
Supporting Statement 3: Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of gender. Source.
Conclusion: If all men are created equal and some men are gay, and if our body of government cannot make laws respecting specific religions, and MUST adhere to equality amongst genders, than it stands to reason that men shall not be denied the right to marry on account of gender, regardless of religion.
See that highlighted part? That's the part non-supporters are conveniently skipping over in their argument.
Now you try:
Maybe you could do one on the in-congruent argument that sex is made for procreation and that's why gay people shouldn't marry. Because, in America, we ONLY EVER have sex when we're trying to further our species.
Or maybe you could write about how humans are purely heterosexual, just like all mammals, and our laws shouldn't make exceptions for genetic mutations. You know...because humans, as the most intelligent, most successful species on the planet hasn't EVER evolved or matured or adapted to their environment. Ever. Oh...neither has just about every other mammalian species on the planet from fruit flies to sheep to whales.
Or you could make one about how homosexuality is a choice and preferences shouldn't be made exceptions of in law. Because, we all KNOW that we NEVER make exceptions for preference in law...you know...like all those tax breaks for people who's preference is to have children, or acceptance for anyone's preference to practice the religion of their choice.
Writing is fun!
Oh also, this.
Anyway, "Same Love" is rad, as is Macklemore.
LYRICS:
When I was in the 3rd grade
I thought that I was gay
Cause I could draw, my uncle was
And I kept my room straight
I told my mom, tears rushing down my face
She's like, "Ben you've loved girls since before pre-K"
Trippin', yeah, I guess she had a point, didn't she
A bunch of stereotypes all in my head
I remember doing the math like
"Yeah, I'm good a little league"
A pre-conceived idea of what it all meant
For those who like the same sex had the characteristics
The right-wing conservatives think its a decision
And you can be cured with some treatment and religion
Man-made, rewiring of a pre-disposition
Playing God
Ahh nah, here we go
America the brave
Still beers, what, we don't know
And God loves all His children
And somehow forgotten
But we paraphrase a book written
3,500 hundred years ago
I don't know
And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
My love, my love, my love
She keeps me warm [x4]
If I was gay
I would think hip-hop hates me
Have you read the YouTube comments lately
"Man that's gay"
Gets dropped on the daily
We've become so numb to what we're sayin'
Our culture founded from oppression
Yeah, we don't have acceptance for 'em
Call each other faggots
Behind the keys of a message board
A word routed in hate
Yet our genre still ignores it
Gay is anonymous with the lesser
It's the same hate that's caused wars from religion
Gender and skin color
Complexion of your pigment
The same fight that lead people to walk-outs and sit-ins
Human rights for everybody
There is no difference
Live on! And be yourself!
When I was in church
They taught me something else
If you preach hate at the service
Those words aren't anointed
And that Holy Water
That you soak in
Is then poisoned
When everyone else
Is more comfortable
Remaining voiceless
Rather than fighting for humans
That have had their rights stolen
I might not be the same
But that's not important
No freedom 'til we're equal
Damn right I support it
And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
My love, my love, my love
She keeps me warm [x4]
We press play
Don't press pause
Progress, march on!
With a veil over our eyes
We turn our back on the cause
'Till the day
That my uncles can united by law
Kids are walkin' around the hallway
Plagued by pain in their heart
A world so hateful
Someone would rather die
Than be who they are
And a certificate on paper
Isn't gonna solve it all
But it's a damn good place to start
No law's gonna change us
We have to change us
Whatever god you believe in
We come from the same one
Strip away the fear
Underneath it's all the same love
About time that we raised up
And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
My love, my love, my love
She keeps me warm [x4]
Love is patient, love is kind
Love is patient (not cryin' on Sundays)
Love is kind (not crying on Sundays) [x5]
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