California gay couples can marry, according the the State Supreme Court, which is great news. There is a threat of a referendum in November to ban it, however, but I imagine the lived experience of married couples will count for something by then. Society will not have crumpled, more people will be talking love and commitment and stability. A progressive pro-marriage referendum might not have the best odds, but I imagine it’s less likely that a referendum to strip people of their existing rights will succeed. Perhaps that’s wishful thinking.
In the meantime, on this side of the pond, the campaign to ensure that the forthcoming legislation is based on equality continues apace. Tonight there’s a fundraising “biggest drag haul ever” featuring Panti, Heidi Connt, Donegal Catch and many others at the Sugar Club, tonight at 7.30pm, in aid of the fabulous LGBT Noise.
And there’s a conference organized by the Irish School of Ecumenics entitled “Why Marriage? Love and Justice in 21st Century Ireland” coming up next week in Trinity College.
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“Progressive pro-marriage” appears oxymoronic to me. Are there any genuinely progressive queer voices questioning this rush towards the imposition of hierarchical relationships in Ireland at the moment? Or is the entire country continuing its eager huggles of retrograde liberal equality-or-sadface bullshit?
(I just got out of bed.)
My, you are cranky in the mornings.
“Imposition” – ridiculous. It cannot be imposed.
“Hierarchical” – rubbish – it’s about equality. The institution exists already, but is not available to all. Once it is, the choice to live outside of marital conventions naturally presents itself. But, now, queer people do not have that choice. I am for making that choice available to all.
“Retrograde”? Hardly.
The queering of marriage is what interests me. The rejuvenation of it, the rethinking of it, the reworking of it to encompass 21st Century lives. The relational honesty necessary to make it work. Making long-term relationships work is important. Especially for men, which is my particular agenda.
In answer to your first question: that would be you, then.
And here’s a question: what harm would gay civil marriage do?
Coughs…There are loads of voices. Some of us are hanging out in the bold corner looking for choices rather that a one tracked approach to regulating our lives. I always had a crush on the bold girls in primary school. Now it seems I am one. Dermod I’m sure you could provide some psychoanalytical insights into that!
I would love to think that both the pursuit of marriage and marriage itself was being queered here. However I think the q word left the building that is the lexicography of lesbian and gay life here a long time ago.
Equality is a good thing. No one has to get married. This is about choice.
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