What could have been a nonissue, a here today gone tomorrow blip on the media radar, has turned into a full blown controversy. It has galvanized some of those opposed to same sex marriage and shown some same sex marriage supporters to be less interested in equality of rights than in getting what their own way.
When same sex rights activists decided to make a big outcry about Miss Prejean's comments, they gave her and her cause a pulpit and tons of free publicity. At this point in time, relatively few people watch the Miss America pageant anymore, so most people would not have heard her comments. Opposition and protest, however, made her comments "newsworthy" and gave her a platform from which to espouse her views. By trying in less than nice ways to silence her, same sex marriage activists are making it worse. They are making her a martyr for standing up for what she personally believes in, and therefore gaining her the support of those looking for a reason to be opposed to same sex marriage. These potential opposition supporters know that they are on the wrong side of the fence, but are looking for an excuse to support that which they know is indefensible under the U.S. Constitution. The treatment of Miss Prejean by some of those in favor of same sex marriage is helping this opposition to justify that excuse to themselves, which only hurts the proponents' cause in the end.
While it won't change my views, I have to say that I am disappointed in the PC thought-police type tactics being taken by some pro-same sex marriage groups. These groups wave their rights under the Constitution to quite correctly explain that they have as much right to legally marry as their straight counterparts. Yet they are quick to try to take away or infringe upon the rights granted to Miss Prejean and others like her by the very same document. Whether you agree with her or not, she has a right to her opinion and to express that opinion. Whether it is correct or not is beside the point. As long as she is not hateful and does not try to cause riots or unrest, no one has the right to impede upon those rights. Her Constitutional rights are as valid and sacrosanct as anyone else's. The minute we begin to justify encroaching on the rights of anyone who doesn't agree with us, then we say that it is okay to trample on our rights as long as there are those who believe it to be justified. The actions of some same sex marriage proponents are giving credence to those who wish to continue to deny their rights through their doing the same to Miss Prejean.
The best way to show that you don't respect the statements and opinions of someone you don't agree with, especially when they are not based on any rational argument, is to simply ignore them. When you take the time to protest them, you do two things. One, you confirm that they are valid enough to refute. Two, you show that they are enough of a threat to require a defense. Since when does anything a beauty queen wannabe says or does deserve such credence?
To all those who believe in the right of gays and lesbians to marry their same sex partner- Leave the girl alone to disappear into the obscurity she was meant to disappear into. Quit making her a poster child for her "cause". Show the same respect for her rights that you wish to be shown for yours. Ignore the opinions and judgments of those who choose to act on an irrational, biased, and ill-conceived belief. Pick your battles with care and save venom for when it is truly needed. You, and your cause, is better than this; rise above and model the behavior that you aspire to see in others. Anything less is an insult to what you hold dear and a poor example to those who come after.
Laura Bramble
THE RED MENACE
Laura Bramble
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