Snippets

Co-worker (CW) has a lesbian roommate who has taken up with a woman old enough to have a 30-year relationship with another woman. Said "another woman" was then unceremoniously kicked out of the house to make way for the new 20-year-old girlfriend.

ME: It's the same thing as an old man dumping his wife for some young chickie. But at least if it was a dirty old man, his wife would probably get the house.

CW: That's true.

CW is always telling stories about her "lesbian roommate". I say "lesbian roommate" in quotes, because it's never just her "roommate". She has admitted she thinks homosexual activity is disgusting, but says she's not prejudiced. "I have a gay guy friend!" In her defense, she's disgusted by sodomy between men and women as well.

Gay marriage came up, and she said she's against it for religious purposes. We weren't very busy, so I figured I'd delve a little. It was friendly banter, believe it or not.

ME: So you don't believe that all men are created equal with certain inalienable rights bestowed by their Creator, eh?

CW: What?

ME: You know, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

CW: How does being against gay marriage go against that? You don't get to pursue happiness by sinning. Killing customers would make me happy sometimes, and I shouldn't do that.

ME: So doing it up the butt is equivalent to a shooting spree.

CW: That's oversimplifying a lot.

ME: Maybe. But you're definitely saying that their right to happiness is not equal to yours. That their love is not equal to yours.

CW: I am not!

ME: But you can fall in love with somebody and make a life that is worthy of society's respect and protection. According to you, a homosexual can't love like you can, and their love and life isn't worthy of protection--to say nothing of respect. You can run to city hall tomorrow and marry someone you meet tonight, and that is a right worth protecting, but a person who happens to be gay can love somebody for thirty years and then be thrown out into the street without any rights at all.

CW: I'm not saying any of that. It is just not right. It says so in the Bible.

ME: Did you go to church on Christmas?

CW: Shut up. That's not even relevant.

ME: Fine. Just admit that you think homosexuals are incapable of love like heterosexuals and that their love and happiness is unworthy of respect or protection.

CW: No, because I don't think that. I'm not a bigot.

ME: Admit you think they're not equal to you. You're morally superior to them.

CW: I'm not admitting anything. You're twisting it around.

ME: Just trying to make you think about it, that's all.

CW: You let homosexuals marry, and then how do you argue against polygamy?

ME: How is that related? Marriage is between two people. Redefining it to be between two people rather than a man and a woman doesn't open the door to polygamy. Besides, is polygamy really so wrong?

CW: What?!

ME: Sure. The Mormons and the Muslims and who knows who else. It works for them. And marriage between a person and a goat. What's wrong with protecting the goat's rights?

CW: Right, Jen.

ME: Of course, they'll have trouble signing the marriage license, what with the hooves and all. And responding to divorce papers may be problematic, but I'm sure the lawyers will work it out somehow.

I don't think I changed her mind, and I didn't think I would. But personally, I could never look another monogamous and loving person in the eye and say, "You're not equal to me. Your love is not worthy like my love is worthy. Your love is so horrible that it threatens the very fabric of society. But I can't wait to see your next Broadway show. Dance for me, monkey! Dance!"

But hey, that's just me. Trying to save 60-year-old homeless lesbians and goats the world over. And Nathan Lane. Love Nathan Lane.

Posted by Jenelle at December 30, 2005 10:00 PM | TrackBack