Archive for March, 2009
this is marriage: part seven
children have a right to a mom and a dad
Same-sex marriage implies that the roles of mother and father in children’s lives are optional, interchangeable and dispensable. It also downplays the importance of a biological bond between children and their parents.
– Jenny Swope (Redefining Marriage Will Come with Costs)
photo by Pink Sherbet Photography
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March 30, 2009
this is marriage: part six
divorce does not equal a reason
In our fragmented modern society, marriage is already in crisis. If we respond by shifting the focus of marriage even further toward individuals and their private satisfaction, what is there to hold together a marriage that no longer seems satisfying?
– Jenny Swope (Redefining Marriage Will Come with Costs)
photo by 888
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3 comments March 29, 2009
this is marriage: part five
where does “equal” go?
When we separate marriage from its fundamental connection with procreation, removing even the biological possibility, then we reduce it to state recognition of a committed sexual relationship. Once this happens, "anything goes." If two men in a loving, committed relationship have the right to marry, how can we deny that right to three or more people whose relationship is equally loving and committed?
– Jenny Swope (Redefining Marriage Will Come with Costs)
photo by Selva1a
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6 comments March 28, 2009
This is Marriage: part 4
changing marriage changes our understanding of it.
Of course, not all one-man, one-woman marriages can or do give rise to family. However, because the male/female union is the only relationship that can ever produce children, it provides a clear standard, derived from our very human nature, to define marriage and confirm its unique contribution to society.
By establishing civil unions or same-sex marriage, we are not simply allowing homosexuals to enjoy certain rights they were previously denied. We are changing our understanding of marriage to a point from which there is no turning back.
– Jenny Swope (Redefining Marriage Will Come with Costs)
photo by ViewerBlur
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5 comments March 27, 2009
This is Marriage: 3
all of society benefits
When families are stable and successful, all of society benefits. When they fail, however, the consequences are devastating and far-reaching. The state has an enormous stake, then, in the success of the family and should make every effort to uphold its integrity.
– Jenny Swope (Redefining Marriage Will Come with Costs)
photo by J garber
2 comments March 26, 2009
this is marriage: two
not just a private pledge of faithfulness
What makes marriage unique among all human relationships and raises it to the level of a sacred bond is this: The union of one man and one woman is the only natural way that children are conceived. Moreover, the people best suited and motivated to take on the great task of raising a child from helpless newborn to independent adult are the mother and father whose love first brought that child into the world.
Marriage, then, is not just a private pledge of faithfulness, but a public vow to place the needs of others (spouse, children) above one’s desires. The "procreative potential" of man and woman does not keep their love focused inward, but enables it to reach outward, through the family, to literally build up society
– Jenny Swope (Redefining Marriage Will Come with Costs)
photo by Ferdie’s World
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1 comment March 25, 2009
this is marriage: part one
more than a committed sexual relationship
This debate is often seen as one of rights vs. intolerance. I believe that mutual respect and understanding should underlie all public debate. […]The real question here is: What is marriage, and what is its role in society? The government does not bestow recognition and benefits on couples simply because they have a committed sexual relationship, but because of the good that their commitment can bring to society. With marriage between one man and one woman, this "good" is its fundamental link with family.
– Jenny Swope (Redefining Marriage Will Come with Costs)
photo by c.reel.com
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March 24, 2009
Marriage in Vermont S. 115| Let the people Vote!
Vermont Call your State Senators
I blogged about the Vermont marriage situation here and here, and most recently here.
In addition, from LetVermontVote:
LetVermontVote.org is about opening up Vermont’s political process to the citizens of Vermont. We’re concerned about activist judges and elitist legislators disenfranchising the electorate. We’re concerned that Vermont has no process for addressing the broad-based issues of the day and a Byzantine system of amending our state’s Constitution.
For example: To date less than 250 Vermont voters have had any vote on same sex unions. That’s counting our five Supreme Legislators with the Baker ruling, former Gov. Howard Dean and the General Assemblies in 2000 and 2001.
Recently the leaders of the Vermont Legislature formed a Commission to “find out” what Vermonters think about the “same sex” or “genderless”. However, the Commission was stacked by supporters of the idea being reviewed. Consequently, the Commission’s Report found little that disagreed with their prejudices on the matter.
It’s time to include all of Vermont’s voters in the process by actually letting them vote on this issue!
The Legislature should use its powers to authorize a non-binding referendum asking voters if they affirm existing Vermont law. The question would be "Should marriage in Vermont continue to be solely between one man and one woman."
We can all cast our vote "Yea" or "Nay", skip the Kangaroo Commissions and let the voters inform their legislators on the matter.
Let’s go straight to the voters and find out what Vermont really believes!
If you are from Vermont (or let your Vermont friends know):
Briefly and politely ask your senator to approve/request a referendum — whether they are for or against Same-Sex Marriage. It’s only fair that the issue be put before the voters. After all, they do "trust their constituents" to do the right thing, right….
Senators who could use a little extra "encouragement" to support this include:
Mazza from Chittenden/Grand Isle: (802) 863-1067
Choate and Kitchel from Caledonia: (802) 748-2629 (Choate) & (802) 684-3482 (Kitchel)
Scott from Washington: (802) 223-5135
Senator(s) Contact Info: Remember to Call—It’s more effective
The contact info for all 30 Senators is included below. A call to the Statehouse at 1-800-322-5616 allows you to leave a message for them during business hours.
ADDISON DISTRICT (2)
(D) Ayer, Claire D. (802) 545-2142
(D) Giard, Harold (802) 758-2577
BENNINGTON DISTRICT (2)
(D) Hartwell, Robert M (802) 362-5757
(D) Sears, Richard W (802) 442-9139
CALEDONIA DISTRICT (2)
(D) Choate, Matthew A. (802) 748-2629 & (603) 650-4268
(D) Kitchel, M. Jane (802) 684-3482
CHITTENDEN DISTRICT (6)
(X) Ashe, Timothy, (802) 318-0903
(D) Flanagan, Ed, (802) 862-3203
(D) Lyons, Virginia "Ginny" V., (802) 863-6129
(D) Miller, Hinda,(802) 862-7008 & (802) 660-4880
(D) Racine, Douglas A.,(802) 434-2013 & (802) 863-1141
(R) Snelling, Diane, (802) 482-4382
ESSEX-ORLEANS DISTRICT (2)
(R) Illuzzi, Vincent, (802) 334-2807
(D) Starr, Robert A., (802) 988-2877 & (802) 988-2281
FRANKLIN DISTRICT (2)
(R) Brock, Randy, (802) 868-2300
(D) Kittell, Sara Branon, (802) 827-3274
GRAND ISLE DISTRICT (1)
(D) Mazza, Richard T.,(802) 863-1067 & (802) 862-4065
LAMOILLE DISTRICT (1)
(D) Bartlett, Susan J.,(802) 888-5591
ORANGE DISTRICT (1)
(D) MacDonald, Mark A., (802) 433-5867
RUTLAND DISTRICT (3)
(D) Carris, Bill, (802) 438-5391 & (802) 773-9111
(R) Maynard, Hull P., (802) 773-3000 & (802) 773-3000
(R) Mullin, Kevin J., (802) 775-7631
WASHINGTON DISTRICT (3)
(D) Cummings, (802) 223-6043
(R) Doyle, William T., (802) 223-2851
(R) Scott, Philip B., (802) 223-5135
WINDHAM DISTRICT (2)
(D) Shumlin, (802) 387-4447
(D) White, Jeanette K., (802) 387-4379
WINDSOR DISTRICT (3)
(D) Campbell, (802) 295-6238
(D) McCormack, Richard J., (802) 234-5497
(D) Nitka, Alice W., (802) 228-8432
photo by djwudi
March 23, 2009
I heart Rad Dads| A letter from my dad
When my dad sends me a letter:
The other day I got an envelope in the mail. It was from my dad.
I love getting mail from my dad because he makes it a very official affair. He uses his work stationery: heavy cream envelope, nice paper, my own name and address typed on the front.
He types my full name. Sometimes he types “Miss” before my name (because I’m not married yet, and I’m his daughter).
He does this officially even when all he is sending me is my insurance information.
I love these envelopes, because even though my dad does plenty of things to let me know he loves me—the envelopes are little stamped notes reminding me that even though I’m independent, and autonomous, I have a dad somewhere who said a long time ago (to my mom, the government, and society) that he would be responsible for me.
5 comments March 18, 2009
The problem with Civil Unions | Vermont legislature forces Neutered Marriage Bill on Citizens
Vermont Crosses Out Marriage
All this week, Vermont is considering a bill (S. 115: An Act Relating to Civil Marriage) which would legalize the neutering of marriage. They are planning on passing it by the end of the week.
Even though according to this article, the number of civil unions in Vermont has gone from 1,876 in 2001 to 262 in 2008.
Read more here
For civil union discussion, Opine has some good posts here and here.
March 17, 2009
