AN OPEN LETTER:

Our constitution should protect rights, not take them away ...

Dear Fellow North Carolinians,

Today, North Carolina is the only Southern state without a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. But that could change next week as voters decide whether to amend the state constitution to not only ban same-sex marriage, but also civil unions and domestic partnerships. Thrice married GOP presidential candidate, New Gingrich, is the latest to voice his support.

A popular argument from Amendment 1 backers is that unlike other minorities, ours is a matter of choice. As such, they argue, gay individuals - and in this case gay couples - do not deserve equal protection under the constitution.

But as someone who knows first hand, let me assure you that no one “chooses” to be gay. Most of us endured years of mental and spiritual anguish in our battle to accept who we truly are. And yes, our equality should indeed be upheld and protected.

Many voicing their support for this amendment also share a deeply-rooted belief that marriage is a God-ordained institution designed exclusively for one man and one woman.

Protecting it as such, they claim, is their Biblical mandate.

But let’s consider other “Biblical mandates” and how these have been used as leverage against other minorities in our nation’s history. In the 1800s, for example, ministers stood behind pulpits and quoted passages from scripture as support for their opposition to equality for women. Here, an excerpt from a letter written in 1837 by a group of clergy from Massachusetts:

1. “The appropriate duties and influence of women are clearly stated in the New Testament. Those duties and that influence are unobtrusive and private, but the source of mighty power. When the mild, dependent, softening influence of woman upon the sternness of man's opinions is fully exercised, society feels the effects of it in a thousand forms. The power of woman is in her dependence, flowing from the consciousness of that weakness which God has given her for her protection, and which keeps her in those departments of life that form the character of individuals and of the nation.”
   

2. - Pastoral Letter of the Massachusetts Congregationalist Clergy 
   

In more recent history, “Biblical mandates” have been used to justify the denial of equal treatment under the law for another minority group. This time, African Americans. Take a moment to read this poignant article published in the October 6, 1958 edition of TIME magazine.

Notice the parallels between the arguments made by ministers then and by those today in support of Amendment 1. Also note how those on the opposite side of Civil Rights progress have historically manipulated Old & New Testament passages to validate their stance. Sad that so many continue to employ these same tactics to deny gay couples marriage equality.

Gay Americans are not asking for “special” anything. They’re simply hoping for the fair and equal treatment that our country - at least on paper - promises them. Ours, after all, is a constitution that by design should protect rights, not take them away.

Please consider this as you head to the polls next Tuesday!

Thank you,

Miles C. Daniels

mcdaniels77@gmail.com

For additional information on Amendment 1:

protectncfamilies.org

Just the Facts on North Carolina’s Marriage Amendment

(Huffington Post)

Miles Christian Daniels is a writer, filmmaker and born & bred Tar Heel. He lives in San Francisco with his partner, Luis.