Heal Me Jesus....Them Gays Want Equality

It was like a good old revival meetin' up there in Maine last week as the debate raged over whether or not gay Americans should be treated equally or not. Both sides of the issue--the right side and the wrong side--raised their voices, some to Heaven, others to the audience, trying to get their messages out. One message was for acceptance and equal rights, while the other message was one of hatred and bigotry couched behind pulpits and collections plates, arguments as old as time and just plain ignorance.

There were gay couples reduced to begging for the right to have their unions recognized, while those in favor of anti-gay-equality told stories of damnation and hellfire, the fracturing of society.

Other voices:

“This bill is fair. This bill’s time has come...It recognizes the worth and dignity of every man and every woman among us.”

--Democratic Senator Dennis Damon who sponsored the bill.

“We speak in opposition to same-sex marriage because we are deeply concerned about the institution of marriage itself - in this state, and in this nation.”
--Roman Catholic Bishop Richard Malone.

“Our forefathers would be ashamed that we are gathered here today to discuss this horrendous issue. Do not make the decision of not voting on it and passing it back to the Maine people as a lame way of getting out of your responsibilities.”

--Reverend David Adams of the First Baptist Church of West Gardiner.

“Jesus led a life of doing justice. We are called to do the same."

--Reverend Deborah Davis Johnson of Immanuel Baptist Church of Portland, a Baptist church in favor of equality.

“The (law) will not will not affect my relationship with my God.”

--Maine Attorney General Janet Mills.

“More than 40 years ago, even people here in Maine told us it was wrong to get married. People say the same thing now about gay and lesbian couples. It was wrong 40 years ago, and it’s wrong now.”

--Robert Talbot, a black man from Bangor who is married to a white woman.

“Same-sex marriage is an impossible situation for children, and I think our culture and our state will suffer as a result of adoption of this legislation.”

--Howard Allen.

As you can see, some voices told the simple truth about equality, and doing what is fair and right; other's told stories as old and dusty as time itself. One man spoke from his own personal experience, and another gave us rhetoric without reason.

It's simple: Equality.