Wedge issues: gay marriage

One of the factors that perhaps managed to swing a lot of undecided voters towards Republican candidates in this most recent election cycle was the topic of gay marriage. After a federal judge ruled in March of 2004 that marriage in his district (which included Boston) could not be limited to man and woman, a floodgate was opened that really revealed how much animosity towards homosexual rights this country has.

The Republican seized the momentum, going so far as to actually push a proposed Constitutional Amendment onto the floor of the US House of representatives. It failed, but it left liberals and those who viewed themselves as protectors of the constitution on the defensive.

Left with nothing to do but oppose whatever the Republican majority supported, the Democrats got stuck with the position of supporting the idea of civil unions. No major Democratic candidate for the presidency came out in favor of gay marriage itself - but the labels applied by conservatives stuck. And John Kerry, once he earned the Democratic nomination, didn't do a damned thing to support the idea.

Then came the state constitutional amendments during this most recent cycle, all 11 of which passed, and all 11 of which banned gay marriage as such.

Who would have thought that a Federal district court ruling in favor of gay rights would set gay rights back so far?

The thing that the Democratic party must do, in order to both protect the rights of gay Americans and to protect itself, is to come out strongly supportive of civil unions. More than 70 percent of Americans are opposed to the idea of gay marriage as an institution, and while it's not fair, the party and its supporters must understand that the US simply isn't ready for wedding bells to ring for Adam and Steve, as well as for Adam and Eve.

In order to make this work, the party is going to have to work with civil libertarians and gay rights leaders to make them understand that this is a case where baby steps are needed. This is a case where, if the movement starts small, eventually the equality will be achieved that should be achieved. It may take a while, but eventually, equality will be there waiting.

In conclusion: The party, and gay rights leaders, must come out united for Civil Unions. The rights of gay partners who lead committed relationships must not be sacrificed for political gain - they must instead be gained piecemeal for the Democratic Party to earn the respect of liberals and moderates, as well as moderate rightists, alike.