march 18.2005 • just OUt 7
ut it this way, to quote The Oregonian
editorial staff: “Marriage is sterling.
Civil unions are workaday stainless
steel” {Feb. 27]. If you want full value,
sterling is the standard.
Clearly, the oppression of lesbian and gay
couples is not the same as slavery. It is hard to
compare the cold darkness of the closet with
generations of rape, beatings, economic exploita
tion, “Jim Crow” and denial of personhixxl.
Fortunately, our vision of freedom does not
ask us to make this comparison. When we
pledge allegiance to our nation, we set a single
standard for freedom: “with liberty and justice
for all." Not liberty only for those who were born
P
H old on for
M arriage E quality
Why ask for a scrap when what we deserve
is a full place at the banquet table?
by Bonnie Tinker and the Rev. Cecil Charles Prescod
privileged, or held captive for the longest time.
Not justice only for those who have been
Bonnie Tinker is a longtime activist for marriage equality.
defined and treated as less than human by our
Constitution: “liberty and justice for ALL."
Withholding legal recognition of marriage
from lesbian and gay couples is a restriction on
our ability to form and sustain families, a restric
tion on our liberty. Forming families is part of
our inalienable right to pursue happiness. It is
unjust and begs for correction—social customs,
private religious creeds and majority votes
notwithstanding.
Our democracy does not hand out rights
only to those deemed worthy by the majority.
Rather, the majority is granted the right to gov
ern only because they guarantee equal rights for
all. Tie Oregon Constitution, Article 1, Sec
tion 20, specifically prohibits laws “granting to
any citizen or class of citizens privileges, or
immunities, which, upon rhe same terms, shall
not equally belong to all citizens.”
Is it possible to pass legislation saying all stat
ues referring to “marriage” will also include “civil
union”? Theoretically, maybe, hut in practice,
not likely. Civil union by any name establishes
the legal difference and isolation of same-sex
couples and families. It creates no precedent for
extension of marriage rights federally or between
states. Our children would not he* fooled. “Mar
riage” carries the social status, rhe romance, the
cultural respect that will not apply to any
second-class status regardless of the name.
Some may find it prudent to accept second-
class status to gamer some legal family protec
tions. If they throw us a scrap, perhaps we will be
hungry enough to take it. But why ask for a scrap
when what we deserve is a full place at the ban
quet table? Let’s work for what we want.
This is no time for a hasty compromise that
leaves us hungry for justice. This is the time to
build on the progress of the elections: 43 percent
of Oregonians opposed discrimination. We’re
almost there—let’s repeal Measure 36.
Freedom cannot survive when equality is
compromised. Even Beth Robinson, the attor
ney in the Vermont case, agrees that a separate
term “says that you are not quite equal, you’re
not quite worthy.” Why adopt an institution
whose sole purpose was to create the appearance
of equality while withholding the full value of
marriage? Why settle for stainless steel when
others are collecting silver dollars?
Civil union prolongs second-class status for
first-class families. Gaining full marriage equal
ity won’t be quick and it won’t be easy, but it is
a moral path. It leads toward liberation and jus
tice for all. jm
BONNIE T inker has worked for marriage equality
since 1982 as executive director of Love Makes a
Family, an organisation providing a public voice for
sexual minority families. You can contact her at
bonnie@lmfamily.org.
T he R ev . C egil C harles P rescod , director of
Love Makes a Family’s Freedom to Marry Project,
is an ordained minister in the United Church of
Christ. You can contact him at cecil@lmfamily.org.
Celebrate your independence at Kuni Saab.
2004 9-3 Sport Sedan
Visit kunisaab.com for current lease
and model year closeout specials.
All-Wheel Drive 2005 9-2X
The Best of Sweden,
Right Here in Beaverton.
Welcome to the
state of independence
24 hours a day 2 kunisaab.com
3725 SW Cedar Hills Boulevard • Beaverton
Open Weekdays 8 to 7:30 • Saturday 9 to 6 • Sunday I I to 5