We play politics with gay people's lives

[Sapphocrat]

Are we done yet?

Now that eight more states have gay-marriage bans written into their constitutions -- 45 states ban it through amendment or statute -- are we done playing politics with gay people's lives? . . . Because I'm done being a punching bag whose personhood is routinely put up to a public vote so others can feel morally righteous. I've had it with critical decisions about my life being decided by a group of people who don't like the fact that I chose to marry a woman instead of a man.

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I prefer the slogan seen on a marriage supporter's poster in Massachusetts: "Can I vote on your marriage?"

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Do you still think civil unions are plenty good enough for gay folks? I challenge any married heterosexual person to trade in his or her marriage certificate for a civil union certificate. Would you do it? When you got engaged, would you have squealed with delight at telling your family and friends, "We're getting civil unioned!"

Would you be OK if hospital staff demanded documentation proving you are the spouse of the person who was just brought in by ambulance instead of just taking your word for it? Would you be happy if your state had a constitutional amendment saying that all protections herein apply equally to everyone except you?

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More:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/294419_firstperson04.html