It is not coincidental that a Government report on Social Mobility has sparked a discussion not only about social mobility, gender mobility, but also sexuality mobility, and it was an interview with Ivan Massow that gave me the title for today’s blog.
With the pressure being exerted by@OUT4Marriage (their website is HERE) a cross party organisation advocating the equalization of same-sex marriages, so far the site has at its ‘star performers’ Ed Balls the Shadow Chancellor and Theresa May the Home Secretary, then the time has come for – what I think is – the last piece of legislation that the Gay Community needs in the UK, after that we are on our owns.
My democratic backgrounds tells me the State should only take those powers to it’s that it requires for the protection and well-being of society – the State should be the servant of the public, not its master, this is obviously a relatively new concept and such there is a lot of readjustment. The State should not prefer one group over another, but through the powers and rights it has taken, ensure the protection of all. Being Gay is not a crime, it is not an illness, it is just the way we are and as such we deserve the same rights and protections as any other member of societ, we don’t deserve (or ask) for special treatment – only equality. The State, wether the Archbishop of York agrees or not, sanctions marriage – this is to ensure people are not coerced and are able to make a rational choice – I am eligible on both counts – and the Church can go through its rituals for those who believe in them all it wants, but it cannot take over the sanctioning of marriage.
My lifetime has seen the decriminalization of homosexuality the removal of employment laws that discriminate against gay people, with only one blip – the infamous Section 28 of the Local Authorities Act 1988, which during its repeal process was opposed by the Lord Spiritual in the House of Lords – has been a progression towards equality, I am really proud to have been alive during such changes.
When we have Equal Marriage we will have everything, and we can move on fighting battles that should be fought, we can concentrate on fighting for social justice, for international rights, and we can be proud to have lived in this society that values freedom and equality
For many years the homosexual victims of National Socialism were not included in public commemorations – neither in the Federal Republic of Germany of the German Democratic Republic. In both East and West Germany homosexuality continued to be prosecuted for many years. In the Federal Republic Section 175 remained in force without amendment until 1969.
Because of its history the Federal Republic of Germany intends to honour the victims of persecution and murder, to keep alive the memory of this injustice, and create a lasting of opposition enmity, intolerance,and exclusion of gay men and lesbians ~ Berlin Gay Memorial
After the War is won, we must always remember those fought for our rights, we must remember the Gay Activists who risked not only their livelihoods but also their safety to bring the issue into the political domain, we must remember the battles fought, the battles lost, because if we forget we are condemned to make the same mistakes as those who take our liberty.
When the legislation is passed we must then get on with our lives, we ask for nothing apart from equality, the rest we can achieve what we will.
After the legislation it will be up to us to ensure that it is equality for all, not just ourselves.