Gay Marriage in NY

I would like to contrast the Congressional Republicans' refusal to compromise and determination to put politics ahead of the nation's interest, with the principled decision of the NY State Senate Republicans, many of whom chose to vote with their conscience, even at great risk to their political careers.

The victory of the gay marriage legislation was not just a victory for the GLBTQ* or for lovers of equality, but also, for the American people: It was an example of the beauty of American democracy at work, of a concern for the rights and well-being of one's constituents trumping political ambition, of concern for America's well-being trumping parisan politics. Because of that, I strongly urge all Americans to support those Republicans, even if they do not see eye-to-eye with them on all the issues: I beleive having principled politicians who work for the good of the people is ultimately more important than what their principles are and whether or not we agree exactly on what that good is.

I also think the LGBTQ* must get behind those politicians and show them that it is doing their best to get them re-elected. This is not a question of grattitude**, but rather of realpolitik. If politicans feel that voting for gay rights will not only get them the support and votes of the LGBTQ community, but also, that that community do its best to get them the votes of straight people as well, then they are more likely to do so. If, on the other hand, they feel that voting for gay rights either a) will not necessarily win them the LGBTQ community's loyalty, if there are other issues the LGBTQ community disagrees with them on, or b) that such support will not translate into a real effort to get them re-elected, then they are less likely to do so. Basically, turn voting for gay rights into a political gain, not a political loss. This may seem unfair: Essentially, it is saying that LGBTQ voters should be one-issue voters. It is unfair. However, many groups have turned themselves into a one-issue voting bloc with great success. An example is the Christian right, which has turned itself into a two-issue bloc: anti-abortion and anti-gay rights. The Republicans consistently fight for policies that economically disadvantage many of their voters, but get away with it, because they know that as long as they oppose abortion and gay rights, they will still get elected. That is why it is so hard to get gay rights legislation passed - unless the GLBTQ lobby decides that it will vote for candidates if and only if they support gay marriage, regardless of their other policies. But it is up to the lobby -and to individuals - to ask themselves if that is a price they beleive it is worth paying.

At the end of the day, it would be to allow society to reduce one's existence as a political being to one's sexual identity - which is in it and of itself a victory for the heteronormative patriarchy.

* I am so egal: Alternating between putting "Lesbian" and "Gay" first.

** On the one hand, its always nice to show grattitude. On the other hand, providing someone with equal rights should not be considered doing them a favor - or should it, if doing so involves putting one's political career on the line?