Standing for Something: National Coming Out Day 2008
I have no words for how disgusted I am at the Mormon church and its despicable hate- and fearmongering on the topic of Proposition 8, which would amend the California state constitution to take marriage rights away from same-sex couples.
During a Wednesday satellite broadcast, young Mormons were fed the same tired lies and misleading spin that have proven so effective in the “Yes on 8″ campaign*. They were also urged to to “go viral” on their online social networks and blogs. “I must admit I don’t know how all this works,” wrinkled, out-of-touch and irrelevant Mormon ‘apostle’ Russell Ballard said, “but you do.”
If Ballard knew anything about anything at all (i.e., if he were relevant), he would know that faithful Mormons have already “gone viral” with their church’s message of hate and intolerance. (He would also know better than to use the phrase “go viral.” It’s SO 2003.) But one can always do more, and try harder! Accordingly, Facebook “Yes on 8″ groups have proliferated, and half of my BYU friends’ Facebook statuses are “is following the prophet & voting Yes on Prop 8!!” (I’m wondering which of us will un-friend the other first.)
My opinion on the subject is very simple: if marriage is a religious institution (which Mormons will tell you was established in the Garden of Eden, when God married Adam and Eve), then why is the government involved in it at all? If, instead, marriage is a civil institution as far as the government is concerned, why do we give a flying fuck how a group of closed-minded religious bigots say it should be handled?
Today is National Coming Out Day in the U.S. This is an excellent opportunity to come out to someone—or everyone—around you as queer or as a queer ally—and a great way to do that is by publicly opposing Prop 8. In Ballard’s words, “I hope you will go viral. I hope you will engage.”
* See MormonsforMarriage.com for an essay-length discussion and refutation of the principle arguments against same-sex marriage used by Mormon leaders and the Yes on 8 campaign.
