Republican Maureen Walsh Sides With Marriage Equality

Who Should Define Marriage?

Marriage should be defined for the people and by the people in my opinion, but before we get into that, we must first learn the history of marriage.

The interesting thing about the history of marriage is that it has always evolved. The practices of marriage from centuries ago still play out in the 21st century. For example: In ancient Greece it's written that inheritance is more important than actually having feelings for your partner. Females were forced to divorce their husbands and marry male relatives in order to keep the family name going if there were no more male heirs. This practice still happens today, but it is now called "inbreeding".

You know the hit show, "Wife Swap" where men trade wives for several weeks and then report back on the outcome? Wife swapping was a normal practice in ancient Rome; it was often done as a career move for men to strengthen family bonds. This practice still happens today, but it is now called "swinging".

Are you familiar with the TV show, "Sister Wives" where one man co-exists and procreates with as many wives as he can handle? This practice of marriage has always been labeled "polygamy", and it was very popular in 6th-century Europe amongst men for political and strategic purposes. Some men would even marry their sister-in-laws!

If you're into politics, I'm sure you've seen many a scandal when it comes to politicians and their cheating ways. In 12th-century Europe, upper class marriages were often arranged as many cultures today still participate in arranged marriages. But wealthy men in those days believed love shouldn't be apart of a marriage, but love could be found outside of the marriage with other people. This cheating practice is called "adultery".

Today, Gay and Lesbian individuals are fighting for marriage equality. Only 8 states followed suit for marriage equality; it's a start but we have a long way to go. In regards to politics, republicans have been the strongest opposers of marriage equality, even though many republican mayors, congressmen and governors have been recently outed as homosexual. Which brings me to 14-century Europe, when people were not allowed to pick their own mates, but instead was forced to marry a mate that government chose for them. If a person went against the government's rule and married who they wanted to marry, the government made the couple pay a fee. Gay and lesbian couples pay the fee of oppression, higher taxes, violence and degradation with no relationship validity or acknowledgement.

During the Victorian era in the United States of America, marriage was again all about currency. Some men were well off but others sought out wealthy heiresses to marry, while still turning to family, friends and other lovers for intimacy. In the 1690's, Protestant ministers would warn couples not to love each other to much, after all marriage was to be strictly business.

In 18th-century Europe, women began finding their voices while speaking out against loveless marriages and being forced into them. Also, in the 18th-century in the United States, due to horrific racism and prejudice -- Black people were not allowed to marry White people and vice versa. White men were adamant about race mixing but had no problem raping Black women and impregnating them; ultimately mixing races.

The 1950's in the United States brought on mandatory marriages. Everyone had to get married and have a picture perfect nuclear family. If a person chose to not marry they were considered "sick", "immoral" or "neurotic". Today these are the same degrading words used against gay and lesbians for wanting to get married.

In the United States in the 70's, women became more self-sufficient and began changing social rules by cutting the umbilical cords that their husbands strangled them with. As a result, the divorce rate catapulted to the highest it had ever been.

In the 21st century, marriage is the ultimate expression of love and everyone wishes to have a wonderful wedding. And again, no one should be able to define that wonderful wedding except for the 2 people it's happening too.

In conclusion: the history of marriage seems to stress obedience; and always obedience to the men who controlled every aspect of their spouses life. The history seems to preclude love as if it was the most revolting thing. History shows that women and ordinary people had no say over their lives but was always controlled by some entity bigger then them. But what I find amazing about this information, is that no matter how BIG the entity, in the end women and ordinary people stood their ground and demanded change for the better, defining every moment in time for the people and by the people.

Let's keep the marriage equality momentum going shall we?

Bernice King Gives 'Gay' Unity Speech

At Atlanta’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. rally, Bernice King (seen above), daughter of assassinated civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., included gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people among the various groups she said need to come together to fulfill her father's legacy.

Bernice King was passionate with her message. King stated she didn't care if people were Hindu, Buddhist, Islamist, were from the North side or the South side, were black or white, were “heterosexual or homosexual, or gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender” — that all people were needed to create unity.

LGBT people who attended the rally said they were shocked that King – who has a long anti-gay past — actually acknowledged the community in a public speech, but said they were also glad because it shows people can evolve.

I to am shocked of King's sudden turn around on LGBT issues, but sometimes it takes something bigger then you in order to realize that it isn't about you.

Bernice King was a member of, Bishop Eddie Long's (seen above-l) New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, and the two led a march of thousands through the streets of Atlanta to protest, among other issues, gay marriage. She has also said that her father "did not take a bullet for same-sex marriage."

King may have had an epiphany when realizing that the same Bishop Eddie Long she worked side by side with, was the same Bishop brought up on charges for sex scandal in which he was sued by young men who accused him of coercing them into sexual relationships.

There are many gay pastors who hide behind churches, wives and lies in order to mask the fact that they are gay. These pastors are scared to come out for fear that they will be publicly condemned by the church. In Bishop Eddie Long's case, him being gay wasn't a crime; but pedophilia is a crime and should be handled as such.

I want to thank Bernice King for evolving and making such a strong statement that unity requires all people, not just a select few.

LA

Gay Marriage Is A Threat To Humanity!

While addressing diplomats from 180 countries on economic and social issues facing the world today, Pope Benedict was clear on one mantra; gay marriage is a threat to humanity.

Pope Benedict's exact words, "This is not a simple social convention, but rather the fundamental cell of every society. Consequently, policies which undermine the family threaten human dignity and the future of humanity itself," he said.

The Vatican and Catholic officials around the world have protested against moves to legalize gay marriage in Europe and other developed parts of the world. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that while homosexual tendencies are not sinful, homosexual acts are, and that children should grow up in a traditional family with a mother and a father.

This is also the same Pope Benedict that ostracizes the use of birth control and wishes it never existed! This is also the same institution that argued the world was flat when in fact the world is round.

My point is, the biggest threat to humanity is ABSOLUTELY not gay marriage. The biggest threats to humanity are: liars, cheaters, ignorance, evil, thieves, murderers, pedophiles, rapists, global warming, war, famine and disease. Interesting that the Catholic church falls under the 'pedophilia' category.

Marriage is a human right, not a lucky win at poker. Gay and lesbian couples wish to marry for love as anyone else. The Pope is acting as if we wish to make a mockery of what marriage truly means. If he needs mockery of marriage I suggest he tune in to 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians' (hint Kim), or 'The Bachelor'.

How is gay marriage a threat to humanity when gay people have been around since the beginning of time? There has been constant pro-creation in this world and being gay didn't stop it, which is why so many countries are over populated. Billions of people have been born and they all didn't get here by intercourse, or by being born into a heterosexual family. Gay and straight people both have gay and straight babies, period. Since no one is at fault for actually birthing a gay person, how can a gay person be at fault for being gay? The Pope's argument simply doesn't make sense. It more so sounds as if he is picking on a particular group of people, in order to take the light off of his pedophile priests.

I suggest that Pope Benedict get a handle on his own house before he throws stones at another person's house. How many Catholic priests are caught molesting little boys, defying their celibacy by having children, and stealing from the church? To many to count.

Why just today, Monsignor Kevin McAuliffe, age 59, who is a Roman Catholic priest, was recently sentenced to 3 years and 1 month in federal prison Friday, for siphoning some $650,000 dollars from his northwest Las Vegas parish to support his gambling habit.

Need I say more?

A Historical Kiss On The Docks...

Petty Officer 2nd Class, Marissa Gaeta, won a raffle on the dock landing ship Oak Hill to be the first to kiss a loved one on its return to Virginia Beach. Petty Officer 3rd Class, Citlalic Snell was waiting.

It is truly amazing to see a couple who hasn't seen each other in months, come together and embrace what brought them to each other in the first place. Love. Without judgement or prejudice. Simply love.

Airman Comes Out To Dad As Today Ends Ban on 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

Today officially ends the era of 'Don't ask, Don't Tell'; a law put in place by our government to discriminate, humiliate and degrade all gays and lesbians serving in the military. Under the watchful eye of President Obama this law exists no more.

Below is a YouTube video of an airman calling his father today, September 20, 2011, to tell him he is gay. This is a huge moment for many gay and lesbian military individuals and I hope watching this video, will encourage others to hold their heads up high while being truthful to their families.

Watch video below.

Gay Student Protests For Gay And Lesbian Rights At Bachmann Rally

I wanted to commend Gabe Aderhold (seen above), a 17 year old gay student who stood his ground during one of Congresswoman Michele Bachmann's, speeches on the campaign trail earlier this month. Aderhold commented, before heckling Michele Bachmann at the Iowa State Fair, his mission was to help educate the representative about how harmful her rhetoric against gay and lesbians is to her constituents. As a state senator, Michele Bachmann also led aggressive efforts to amend the state’s constitution to prohibit same-sex couples from marrying.

Aderhold stated he wants to bring awareness to gay issues -- due to the death of a family friend who committed suicide in 2009 after being bullied. The friend was only 15 years old. Aderhold stated,“It is her responsibility to address social issues in her area, and there have been six suicides in the last year from being bullied in her district,” Aderhold said to 'The Des Moines Register' prior to heckling Michele Bachmann today at the Iowa State Fair.

Bachmann spoke for three minutes at the soapbox today. When she stopped talking, Aderhold stood up and shouted: “You treat me like a second-class citizen,” before chanting. “Shame on you!”

Bachmann’s husband Marcus, operates a mental-health clinic in Lake Elmo, Minnesota. He has faced scrutiny for the clinic’s purported efforts to help clients “pray the gay away".

Aderhold mentioned Bachmann’s senate efforts, and took issue with the praying techniques. “You can’t pray the gay away,” he screamed at Marcus Bachmann, who turned away and did not respond. Michelle Bachmann commented earlier that she would shake hands with people in the audience; after the hecklers she quickly left the area.

Gabe thank you for standing up not just for yourself, but for all LGBT people. You are a hero! Keep up the good work!


LA