For Jo Ann

Today, I finished my next article for the local bar magazine.  I did a fair and balanced report on the constitutionality of the Nevada Domestic Partnership Act.  It's a little dry.  It's a lot dry.  It's a triscuit.

Here's the issue - I am not remotely fair and balanced about this.  I abhor the fact that I live in a state that has a Defense of Marriage Amendment.  That was enacted before I moved here, so I can't be too bitchy about it. 

During the recent legislative session, Nevada passed Domestic Partnership legislation.  Just barely.  It passed and the governor vetoed it, and it passed by the bare minimum to override the veto.  First of all, bravo to the only openly homosexual state senator, David Parks, who sponsored the bill.  Next, bravo to the brave assemblywoman who told her story of being a HETERO domestic partner and what happened when her partner died.  Bravo to the couples who came forward and told stories of how it would affect their lives.  Boo to the same old arguments on the other side that say, bible bible bible.  I AM AN ATHEIST AND A BUDDHIST, SO THAT WON'T CUT IT.  Your bible can guide your life's decisions.  I have my own beliefs to guide me.  And, I believe that I am a good person and that I try to lead my life according to the eightfold path.  That path doesn't teach hate (unless you have greatly wronged me and that's where I fall off the path but that's a person by person sort of thing). 

Foes of the legislation say, oh, it's too close to marriage and our state constitution says that is between a man and a woman only.  This is such bullshit.  Separate is not equal.  I have been a supporter of gay marriage since I was in high school.  I do not get why anyone thinks they have the right to define love.  Right, because it always leads to pedophiles and polygamy and people screwing horses in South Carolina.  Yeah.  We're talking about two people who love each other, not whatever crazy scenario you can come up with to support your cause.  I read the hearing transcripts and shook my head.  I can just imagine it was like this when, omg, a black person and a white person wanted to get married.  It wasn't okay then and IT ISN'T OKAY NOW.

There are MORE requirements to get a domestic partnership in Nevada than there are to get married.  I got both of my marriage certificates here and it was easy.  I didn't have to sign a written contract saying that I was in a a committed relationship and living in a common residence.  I think I showed my drivers license and answered some very basic questions.  Most of the act aims to mirror the laws that married couples have, but it still may not get you health care on your partner's health insurance. 

I know that I am a bleeding heart liberal.  I know.  I KNOW.  I hear it every day from my husband and coworkers and cats.  But this isn't about being liberal.  It is about equal rights.  I honestly get the anti-choice movement more than I get the anti-gay marriage people. 

Here's how you can make me like legislation:  You don't decide who I can love.  You don't decide what I do with my body.  You don't decide what I can and can't say.  Those are personal decisions that can be left only to me, my conscience and occasionally, my doctor.  You cannot dictate what is moral.  You cannot dictate what I believe is right.  Use your police power to protect, not control and certainly not to preach.

To friends of a different mindset, I apologize if I have offended you, but this is what I really think.  This is what the article doesn't say.  This is my editorial.  This is my soapbox. 

Comments

[robin]

Good for you. Silence is implied consent. Speak it and don't apologize. There is no need to be sorry for acting on behalf on what you feel to be just.

[Anita]

Brilliant. You've said what so many of us feel. Thanks Danielle.

[Jo Ann]

Whew! I'm glad that the real Danielle came out.