I’ve given you my priceless opinion before about changing Facebook avatars for a cause. For the most part, it does little in terms of action or funds for whatever the cause of the month actually is. I’ve been vocal about not participating in these avatar changes because it feels like an easy way to pat yourself on the back for being an activist.
Today I eat my words.
Today I am changing my Facebook avatar.
Today I am changing it to this:
equal
Over the next few days, the Supreme Court will hear testimony and decide if Proposition 8 will be repealed – allowing same sex marriages in California. Today gay and lesbian couples are asking the Supreme Court to allow them the right to be married, and the Federal benefits that go with it. Honestly, because of the very nature of the word “right” – it is theirs already, and they are simply asking that it not be denied.
I don’t need to change my avatar to show you I support gay marriage – I’ve never been quiet about where my support lies. Will my avatar change or effect the Supreme Court’s decision? Probably not, but what DOMA and anti-same-sex marriage activists are trying to do is not what I would call “protecting the institution of marriage”. They are trying to make same sex marriage unworthy, unequal, and shameful.
Of all the human attributes that have ever been known…
love is the least worthy of shame.
So I add my avatar – a drop into the sea of red that is growing as you read this.
I have always felt that the best way to battle shame is with openness.
Light in the dark.
Loud voices instead of secret whispers.
Public instead of private.
Somewhere there is a child too ashamed to come out to his parents. Somewhere there are same sex couples who were married where it was permitted, but are still shy about telling anyone but their close friends.
I don’t do it for most of my gay and lesbian friends, because they know how I feel. They are out and proud and battle the open injustice every day. I’m doing it to possibly open the minds of a few who thought this issue was for a “small fraction of liberals”. I’m doing it for the visual – for the very tangible stream of red profile pictures that will swell someone’s heart or make someone else question theirs.
I’m doing it because a legion of supporters grows one person at a time – and I will make myself known as a supporter in every way I can.
I’m doing it for those who are made to doubt their love…
for those who are scared…
or confused…
or saddened by the fact
that certain human beings must still fight to be equal.
follow me