Here We Go Again

Sometimes I wonder if my friends and readers are thinking “Oh Jesus, here she goes again on the gay rights thing.” Trust me, I am sick of it too. But it just keeps going with new and devastating twists of proposed and voted on legislation. I would much rather put my time and effort into other things but I cannot. This is my life that is being attacked. These are my friends lives that are being attacked. I cannot stand idly by.

Recently, Catholic bishops decreed their social service agency, Catholic Charities, will not adopt children to same-sex couples. Massachusetts’s law counters this discrimination, stating that gay and lesbian individuals can adopt and are not to be discriminated against. Unfortunately, we has been graced* with Governor Romney. Romney has asked his staff to write a bill that would allow Catholic Charities to discriminate against gays and lesbians. Nice, huh?

This is all crazy making in its self. As a former Catholic, I am disgusted by their un-Jesus-like actions. I am furious that Romney is supporting the discrimination by proposing to write a bill. But, I am most disgusted, furious, and heart-broken that the people of this Commonwealth are not up in arms that our Governor wants to write a bill to discriminate. People are so complacent and turn a blind eye to what is happening. Would they be so blasé about it if it were a bill to allow discrimination against people of color or people of different religions who want to adopt? Come on people. Stand up and control your government!

I think of the poem by Martin Niemöller as I watch all this happen around me. If the citizens of this Commonwealth who support us do not stand with us, they will come for another group next. Each victory over a minority emboldens those who hate and increases their determination to shape the world, as they want it. I don’t think many people will be happy in that world.
*sarcasm