What’s up, George Wallace?

Recently, David Blankenhorn, the founder of the Institute for American Values and a leading gay marriage opponent, publicly withdrew his opposition to extending the legal right of marriage to gay Americans. While Blankenhorn has not changed his personal beliefs, he has recognized that extending full and equal legal rights to the gay community is a “victory for basic fairness.”

I’m glad there is one less person in the movement against same-sex marriage, and I’m grateful that such a high profile figure in this debate chose to articulate his conversion publicly, but, in 2012, an intelligent adult thinking that denying equal rights to an American citizen on the basis of sexual orientation is unfair isn’t exactly impressive.  Folks arguing against same-sex marriage strike me as today’s segregationists. The George Wallaces of this civil rights fight. In 1963, George Wallace, newly-elected Governor of Alabama, famously proclaimed in his inaugural address, “Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever!” Wallace later, too many years later, changed his position, but he will be remembered, predominantly, as a jackass who took a stand against extending civil rights to African-Americans.

My reaction to articles about legal prejudice against gays and lesbians varies. Sometimes I’m enraged. Sometimes I’m sad. Sometimes I try to understand the opposition’s argument so I’m in a better position to converse with, and ultimately persuade them.  But every once in a while, I can put enough distance between myself and the discriminatory incident du jour and I’m just amused.  It seems so obvious to me that 30 years, from now, arguing against gay marriage or objecting to an “out” jurist being appointed to the bench will be on par with being opposed to equal rights for people of color or women. It will seem as ludicrous as George Wallace standing on the University of Alabama’s campus attempting to block the path of two black students trying to matriculate.

It’s not so much that opponents of gay marriage are wrong (though they are), but they are out of touch. And in fewer years than they realize or want to admit, they will simply seem ridiculous and backwards.  Whether gay rights opponents want to acknowledge it or not, full and equal protection of the law for gay Americans WILL happen.  The only thing we don’t know is exactly how long it’ll take us to get there.  And subsequently, how embarrassed we’ll be that it didn’t happen sooner.

“Gay Marriage Gains Backer as Major Foe Revises Views”