You Hate Same Sex Marriage And You Didn’t Even Know It

It was just a matter of time.

I just don’t get it.

When the Supreme Courts ruled same sex marriage legal in all states it was an extremely happy day in America.

Profile pictures were changed to rainbow colors, the hashtag #LoveWins and #LoveIsEqual was spread across all social media platforms and millions watched all across America as the first lesbian and gay couples obtained their marriage certificates!

I’m truly happy for these couples. I’m happy for anybody being able to be who they want to be and to have one less hurdle to jump to be that person. Good on you. Good on them. Go be happy and free!

What I don’t understand, and I honestly have been waiting for this, is why in the World can we not even have a month go by of free marriage where #LoveWins before hate mongers are saddling up their high horses and bellowing about how unfair it is that some states are passing Senate bills that allow magistrates to be exempt from performing same sex marriage ceremonies?

Today I read a post made my someone on Facebook claiming how pissed off they were that North Carolina was passing a bill that Gov. McRory was expected to sign off on soon. Specifically SB2.

There are three reasons I’m objecting to the outcry of several people regarding this issue.

SB2 in the North Carolina courts does not encompass “sincerely held religious objection” in a whole.

If a person or person(s) are going to vehemently object to magistrates opting to claim “sincerely held religious objection” (“SHRO”), they should first do some research and understand this judicial reference before feeding the masses their words.

“SHRO” has existed in our courts far longer than just recently. It originally showed up in 1964 under United States v. Seeger, 380 U.S. 163. The idea “SHRO” has been around for hundreds of years.

For people to continuously argue that “SHRO” is only referring to same sex marriage, or marriage between inter-racial couples is absurd in my opinion. It envelops so much more than just marriage equality.

Research what you are so passionate about when educating the public through your writing. Especially when you are a large sounding board for well over 1,000 readers if not more.

If we are so tied up in equality for everyone including who or what we can be and who we can marry then why are we not tied up in upholding equal rights for a magistrate or clergy person when he/she feels compelled in pleading “SHRO”?

That idea in itself seems pretty unequal to me to condemn someone for their religious beliefs just as many found it unequal to say that two men or two women couldn’t marry. To me it’s ridiculous to basically say, “How dare you not think like we do!”

Isn’t that what the Supreme Court did for the LGBT community? They ruled in fairness to the LGBT community by making it legal to obtain a marriage license and marry!

If we as human beings want to shout “Equal rights for all” from the rooftops then it should only be fair for a magistrate or a clergyman/woman to say,  “I’m sorry but you’ll have to find someone else to perform your ceremony. I hold to my religious beliefs.”

It hasn’t even been a month since the Supreme Court ruled. Can’t we just enjoy the fact that people can marry who they want for just a little while?

This is probably my biggest pet peeve about the whole thing. For so long the LGBT community has fought for this monumental happening and now that it’s here we’re already fighting amongst ourselves about it.

I am a straight woman who has gay, lesbian, and bisexual friends. I am very happy for them.  When I read through all these posts and comments about how everybody is so pissed off that “Pastor Joe” or “Judge Sam” refuses to perform a marriage ceremony because he doesn’t believe in it, it makes me sick.

Frankly the part that makes me want to throw my hands in the air and say “Fuck it,” the most is that it’s a bunch of straight people who support the LGBT community that are sounding off the loudest. Why can’t we just be happy for a little while before throwing the hate around like a hot potato?

For every ten magistrates or preachers who won’t perform these ceremonies? There are hundreds that will.

I have many friends who are gay or lesbian and are in loving relationships. I have to say that I have yet to read a scathing Facebook post or a hate filled blog piece by them about “SHRO” yet.

“Yet” being an operative word here. I’m sure it will happen sooner or later, but for now later is where they stand.

My speculation is that they are too busy celebrating and planning their wedding.