Gay community needs unity on gay marriages, unions

Marriage is a touchy issue for a lot of people for varying reasons. It has been a recent subject in the arguments in campaigns between President Bush and candidate John Kerry. It is the topic of debates in states as to whether to allow legal certificates to be issued to gay couples. Some people are getting very heated up about this, and some don’t even blink an eye.

It is being tossed around in courtrooms, between regional politicians, and on college campuses. Licenses are being handed out by defiant court houses and mayors. This is a tumultuous time. Unfortunately, the issue isn’t even clear cut between people in the gay community. Everyone has a different opinion. Personally, I believe that we need to unify ourselves and take action toward equal rights, which is what this is about, not special rights, as several factions believe.

There was a TV movie in 2000 called “If These Walls Could Talk: 2.” It was separated into three segments set in 1961, 1972 and 2000. The 1961 story was about two older lesbians, played by Vanessa Redgrave and Marian Seldes, who became a couple after Seldes’ husband passed away. They lived a happy life together, though closeted. Then, Marian Seldes’ character has an accident and dies. Redgrave is left alone and has to face Seldes’ son acting as though she were only an old friend. She is left with nothing and cannot assert any rights as a widow, though they were in essence married. It was depressing and moving to watch, and even more so to realize this was and is the truth. It made me cry because of the violation Redgrave’s character had to endure.

Advances are being made toward equality. Seattle now recognizes married gay couples from other states and gives the same benefits as other married couples. But only one state issues legal marriage licenses. It would be nice if within the gay community there was more unity in opinions. Some couples are happy just being together and are not worried about the future. Some, like me, would like to be recognized as legitimate with a “traditional” wedding. I suppose I’m just a “traditional” gal.

The subject of this year’s annual Pride Festival is “The Wedding and Reception of the Year” to bring attention to the issue of equality and fairness for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning relationships and families. The Pride Parade will be Sunday at noon, starting at the Spokane Civic Theatre. It will end at the Riverfront Park Gondola Meadows. The reception will be from 1 to 4 p.m., including a business fair, dunk tank and raffle.