| Ricky Blue's Other Life |
 Ricky Blue  Ricky Blue was born in Liverpool, England, but raised in Maine, New Jersey, and Toronto. He has an MA in English from Concordia University. He has been involved in bands and media music in Montreal for over twenty years. In 1981 he won an international 'Clio' award for excellence in advertising. He once appeared on television naked. His life had no real meaning, however, until he began to play with Bowser and Blue. Rick plays guitar, mandolin, and harmonica, and sings in a rather pleasant baritone when George will let him. His columns are archived here |
Posted 06.25.05 Gays: Marriage is no piece of cake, eh?
We Canadians should be used to extremes. As I write this it is actually too hot to sit outside. A week ago it was too cold to sit outside. So when faced with a political issue that embodies extreme opposites, it should be a piece of cake, right?
Gay marriage is a prime example. Is it progress or decadence?
To the history-is-linear school it's just another step in the upward march toward universal enlightenment. To the history-is-circular school it is proof that our civilization is disintegrating fast.
It is the inexorable conclusion of then Justice Minister Pierre Trudeau's policy of "legalizing" homosexuality in 1969. At that time critics warned that homosexuals would all want to get married next. They were ridiculed. And worse than that, they had to wait forty years to say: "I told you so!"
Those who wish to maintain the traditional definition of marriage as between a man and a woman believe it is a biological and sacred trust endowed by our creator. Fertility is its purpose. Henry the Eighth proved this. He beheaded any wife who failed to produce an heir.
Those who wish to change that definition counter that many heterosexual married people do not have children. So why should they be able to marry and same sex couples not be given the same right? There is definitely an equal-rights issue here. And although all equal-rights issues should be equal, for some reason this equal-rights issue is being treated as more equal than others.
Critics now warn that opening up the definition of marriage will lead to the eventual acceptance of polygamy. They have been soundly ridiculed. And it will be at least 40 more years before they can say: "I told you so."
(It must be frustrating to be a Conservative, eh? You have to wait decades to be proven right. And by then it is too late and nobody cares.)
As with most contradictions both sides are true. But let's talk experience. Those of us who have children know that is when real marriage begins. Before that we were in the same love boat with teens that were going steady in high school. Excuse me, but a promise to not snog anyone else is not enough to call a marriage.
No matter what your sexual preference, marriage is about endurance. And sacrifice. You have made a commitment not only to your spouse but also to the future. You are no longer a single or a couple - you are a family unit.
When you get home from work dog-tired and you want to relax but you soon realize that your real workday has just begun - that's marriage.
When you get up at 5 a.m. on a Sunday because you have to drive to a hockey practice - that's marriage.
When your friends want to discuss the latest art movie and you realize that you haven't seen a film without a cartoon character or an animal in the lead role for six years - that's marriage.
When you have to buy all your fashions at Winners because you are paying for a college education - that's marriage.
So here's the answer: yes, marriage is about children; and yes, gays should have the same rights as everyone else. So, you want to get married? OK. Here's a kid. Earn it!
What did I tell you? Piece of cake. |
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