March to a Different Drummer

Perhaps, because of my age and point of view, I’m not in touch with my audience on one matter, so I’d like to make sure that a very fundamental concept be reviewed. That concept is that we, as a continuing civilization, have had situations where the larger population is assuming, and even defending, a worldview that is later shown to be factually incorrect. And that larger population point of view, on that subject, then will have a tidal change. Oft cited examples are: the mythologies of the Greeks and Romans, beliefs that the world is flat or that the Earth is the center of the universe, that slavery is acceptable, that segregation is acceptable. Eventually fact, in your face fact, inescapable fact, is what turns that tide. And this turning tide, particularly in regard to broad social change, is almost always associated with natural resistance to change. The moving tide is a zone that is tumultuous - vested interests may be at risk; comfortable patterns may be detoured; deep-seat...

Isn’t it time that gay marriage is argued as a moral issue? And isn’t it time that the supporters of gay marriage begin to change perceptions of what this means to America and to traditional American values? Drag queens in gay pride parades, effeminate stereotypes, pedophilia, and homosexual promiscuity have long been the image many Americans imagine when gay marriage is brought up. Unfortunately the homosexual community is largely an invisible community, and the reality is that this community shares American moral values as strongly as the heterosexual community. Values such as fairness, equality, freedom, liberty, and basic human rights. Most gays believe in family values and the promises of the American dream. That dream includes the expectation that they will not be marginalized by other’s religious beliefs. And that they have the opportunity to be accepted equally in their communities and treated equally by their government. Gays, being largely invisible, have a unique pro...