I'm Still Pissed About Marriage Equality Not Passing In New York State. But Is It My Fault?

I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: I don’t see another ethical position to take other than to support same-sex marriage.

This week, my home state shamed me by refusing to pass legislation legalizing gay marriage.

But is it actually MY fault it didn’t pass?

Sure, I joined Facebook groups. I wrote passionately in support of it. But I’m wondering if, had I gotten more involved – joining protests, writing to my crappy, unsupportive state senators – I might have had some, perhaps miniscule, more influence on the outcome.

I don’t know. I’m so jaded about our political process that I tend to feel nothing I do can sway these shifty, corrupt, girlfriend-beating crum-bums up in Albany. Still, should I not try as hard as I can? I may not be gay, but as the poem goes:

When the Nazis came for the
communists,
I did not speak out; As I was not a communist.
When they locked up the
social democrats, I did not speak out; I was not a social democrat.
When they came for the trade
unionists, I did not speak out;? As I was not a trade unionist.
When they came for the Jews,? I
did not speak out;? As I was not a Jew.
When they came for me,? there
was no one left to speak out. — Martin Niemöller

I’m not a fan of throwing
comparisons to Hitler and the Nazis around at every opportunity. I think it’s
overwrought and inappropriate in most cases. But when you think about the
actual treatment
of homosexuals by the Nazis, well… this rhetoric doesn’t seem quite so
overblown.

If I don’t speak up now, what
happens when the NY State Senate decides to curb MY civil rights?

Marriage equality now!

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