The New York Times editorial crew sure has been opinionated lately – and gay. In addition to taking on the ever-complicated ENDA, the paper’s journos offered their thoughts on New Jersey’s “flawed” civil unions:
It is hardly a surprise that New Jersey’s civil union law is not working very well. During the past several weeks, dozens of same-sex couples have testified that the law has not provided the equal benefits that were promised when it passed.
Now, the special commission that heard the testimony has made it official: the civil union law has been a “failure.” Frank Vespa-Papaleo, who is chairman of the commission as well as the state’s director of civil rights, said the law is not as effective “as if the word ‘marriage’ were used.”
The obvious conclusion is that the Legislature should give same sex-couples the right to marry.
Ah, yes, but that would be too easy and politicians have a severe allergy to expediency. Except, of course, when it comes to fucking people…
Rt. Rev. Dr. RES
No, I can’t believe it. The concept of “separate but equal” was a lie for African Americans and it more than six decades to correct it from Plessy to Brown and a civil rights law and Loving to get marriage equality for black heterosexuals.
Of course, this was a DLC and DINO approach given an imprimatur by the moderate right wings of the corporatist parties, giving the finger to liberal and neocon activists simultaneously. Ask Barney DLC Frank about compromising principles for expediency and individual gain.
Will this reality commission’s report translate into Marriage Equality law? I must remind you that many voices were neglected from 1890 to 1954 and 1967, and in the USA, many minorities suffer untold indignities and hardships until justice is finally adjudicated in the land of the free and justice for some, I mean, all.
hells kitchen guy
Hey, Rev. RES: I thought you, along with “fellow traveler” Purdue, thought the Times was part of the monopolistic fascistic capitalistic mongrel warrior class. So you CAN’T be agreeing w/the Times, can you?!?
WWH
Idea: until marriage equality, boycott all straight wedddings to which you are invited with that expalnantion. Send half the money you save to a worthy marriage equality cause and the other half doing something nice for yourself.
hells kitchen guy
wwh: Brad Pitt says he won’t marry A.J. until gay marriage is legal. He’s taking a stand. (On the other hand, he may just be gun shy the 2nd time around)
Matt
I think WWH is on to something: the spending power of the GLBT community is substantial, and a focused boycott against corporations that do not actively support our issues, coupled with a spending focus on those that do, combined with a generalized (and vocal) boycott of weddings, could generate both attention and results…god knows the Macy’s bridal registry would suffer. And that half that’s spent on “something nice for yourself” should be spent with a supportive entity. Interesting idea, WWH!