Congressman John Lewis shows allies how to do it

[JackBeck]

by: Pam Spaulding
Tue Mar 10, 2009 at 06:00:00 AM EDT

U.S. Congressman and civil rights legend http://johnlewis.house.gov/">John Lewis (D-GA) makes it look so easy and logical. He is an ally who has not only shed blood for the black civil rights movement, but speaks as a man of faith -- he graduated from the American Baptist Theological Seminary. John Lewis believes in full civil equality. As with the great Coretta Scott King, John Lewis sees all discrimination as wrong, and that our committed relationships deserve the same legal rights and respect as heterosexual marriage. We are all part of the same American quilt. (http://www.gayagenda.com/2009/03/11501/">GayAgenda):

"It is unfortunate that a segment of our society fails to see that we all should be treated like human beings, that we all are citizens of the United States of America. I've taken the position and I've long held this position that I fought too long and too hard against discrimination base on race and color not to stand up and speak out against discrimination based on sexual orientation. It doesn't matter if someone is gay or straight or whether someone believes in a different philosophy or different religion. We're one people, we're one family, and we're one house. There is not any room in American society for discrimination based on sexual orientation. It doesn't matter whether someone is gay or happens to be lesbian or transsexual. We're one people; we're one family, the American family.

You call it what you want, discrimination is discrimination and we have to speak up and speak out against discrimination. You have too many people in this society saying they're against same-sex marriage. If people fall in love and want to get married, it is their business. Martin Luther King Jr. used to say races don't fall in love in love and get married; individuals fall in love and get married. So if two men or two women want to fall in love and get married it's their business. Some people say it is a threat to the institution of marriage, and some of these people who go around saying that same sex marriage is a threat to the institution of marriage, which marriage or what marriage are they talking about? Some of these same individuals have had several marriages and I don't think individuals that happen to be gay are a threat to anybody's marriage. Love is love. It is better to love than to hate, it is better to be together than to be divided."

It makes me mist up just thinking of the power and simplicity of these words. The message is so clear -- this isn't a zero sum game; we do not accrue civil rights at the expense of anyone else. Why are so many people, in the religious black community for example, so filled with religion-based fear and ignorance that they refuse to even try to work their way past it? John Lewis has never wavered in his commitment, or feels threatened by this new round in the battle for civil equality.

You can read more of Congressman Lewis's comments and hear the entire interview at http://www.gayagenda.com/2009/03/11501/">GayAgenda.com.

http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=9824

I'm currently involved in the marriage equality campaign here in New Jersey. Our opposition, the National Organization for Marriage (run by my arch-nemesis Maggie Gallagher) not only set-up shop in Princeton, but has now started sending emails to their supporters, encouraging them to start contacting their legislators to voice their displeasure with 'SSM'.

The NOM (yes, I also laughed at the acronym) website provides them with a rather extensive list of talking points. For example:

2. Isn’t the ban on gay marriage like bans on interracial marriage?

A: “Bans on interracial marriage were about keeping two races apart so that one race could oppress the other. Marriage is about bringing two sexes together, so that children get the love of their own mom and a dad, and women don’t get stuck with the enormous disadvantages of parenting alone.” “Having a parent of two different races is just not the same as being deprived of your mother—or your father.”

I think Congressman Lewis just handed me our counter-argument.

[CurtEastPoint]

1. John Lewis is the one shining light in our Congressional representation.

However, he cannot make up for .... Oh, I don't know... Chambliss, Isaakson, Kingston, etc.

He's a gem and I treasure him!

[JackBeck]

2. Yes, he's one of the good guys.

And I know it's hard, but try not to let those other dbags diminish all the good he's done. This country is leaving those ideologues behind and history will reflect the impression left by John Lewis.

[Libertyfirst]

3. Has John Lewis received the Freedom Medal? He should. n/t

[JackBeck]

4. No, but this is my favorite anecdote to date:

Lewis was present on the stage during the inauguration of Barack Obama, as the only living speaker from the rally at the March on Washington.

Obama signed a commemorative photograph at the following luncheon for Lewis with the words, “Because of you, John. Barack Obama.”