Because they're here. Because they're queer. Because they've always been here. Because they've always been queer. Because they'll always be here. Because they'll always be queer. Because we're all queer, one way or another. Because the way they're queer isn't all that different from the way we're queer, when you think about it. Because they love each other, and what's so queer about that? Because they've always been there for each other. Because they've always been there for us. Because we haven't always been there for them, and we should have been. Because they're our sons, our daughters, our sisters, our brothers, our uncles, our aunts, our nephews, our nieces, our fathers, our mothers, our teachers, our preachers, our doctors, our nurses, our soldiers in Iraq. Because, if asked, they're not supposed to tell, and what kind of nonsense is that? Because if they're willing to lay down their lives for their country, why shouldn't their country lay down something for them? Because it says, right there in the U.S. Constitution, 'We the people, in order to form a more perfect Union,' and aren't they people, and don't they deserve a more perfect Union? Because it says, right there in the Declaration of Independence, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these rights are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.' Because, I repeat, all men are created equal. Because all women are created equal too, but it took us over 100 years to figure that out. Because we're sometimes a little slow on the uptake. Because we're fallible, we're human, which is why, over 200 years later, we're still trying to form a more perfect Union, not a perfect Union. Because that would be tempting the gods. Because there are no perfect unions, as most married people would be the first to admit. Because, otherwise, why would there be so many divorces, so many broken homes, so many broken children? Because marriage, as we all know, can be quite hard. Because it's an institution, and who wants to be in an institution? Because it's not just an institution, it's a sacred institution ' too sacred, perhaps, to be left to heterosexuals. Because it has been left to heterosexuals, for the most part, and let's face it, they've largely screwed it up. Because marriage, ultimately, isn't about a piece of paper, a certificate, a blood test, a joint filing statement. Because when the marriage dissolves, the piece of paper gets torn up and thrown in the trash can. But just because heterosexuals have screwed it up doesn't mean homosexuals shouldn't be allowed to screw it up as well. Just because heterosexuals don't always cherish that piece of paper doesn't mean homosexuals won't clasp it to their bosoms, worship at the altar of marriage while their heterosexual brothers and sisters are out playing golf. Because homosexuals know what it's like to be denied their rights under the U.S. Constitution. Because they've been wrestling with these issues since the day they were born. Because it's not something you choose, like a change of clothes. Because if it were, few would have chosen it. Because the rest of us have made it so hard for them, which isn't right. Because they're just like us. Because we're just like them. Because there is no us and them. Because we're here. Because we're queer. Because it's high time we all got used to it.
Send all marriage proposals to: MR. RIGHT, ISTHMUS, 101 KING ST., MADISON, WI 53703. OR CALL 251-1206, EXT. 152. OR E-MAIL MRRIGHT@ISTHMUS.COM.
