What a great photo of last evening’s vigil in support of gay marriage equality. This one makes Woodstock Early Bird smile. We appreciate that group of about 20 is gathered with the Windsor County Court House behind it — a compelling reminder that Vermont was way ahead of the rest of the country on issues of respect and equality with regard to her citizens.
Woodstock Early Bird was among those who covered Hartland Town Clerk Clyde Jenne, who came out as gay, on that spring Saturday morning in 2000 when he opened the office early so that the minute Vermont civil unions became law, he could help partners become official. International press. Not a dry eye in the house. We saw the impact of a law that was helping to break down walls.
We understand marriage equality/the definition of marriage is a controversial issue which is why it has turned up in the U.S. Supreme Court. We understand and respect those with religious views who do not embrace the idea of an evolving concept of marriage. However, it is History 101 that those who created this nation were seeking freedom from religious persecution. Religion, especially in the United States, should not be used as a reason and a means of imposing law.
Religion is a worthwhile and important guide for individual lives, but religious ideas of imposed inequality, separation and hatred have no place in government in 21st century United States life.
We could go on about another History 101 concept of the separation of church and state and the fact that if churches really want to get involved in the politics (as they already are) these churches should give up their tax-exempt status. The taxpayers get to speak and the taxpayers have the vote. Until churches admit their political and corporate orientation — and pay the price of admission — they should keep their views and imposition of their views where they belong, under church roofs to their already avowed and obeisant church brethren.
We don’t think those who adhere to their religious philosophies wrong for their individual views just as we don’t think those who would like to see gay marriage are wrong for theirs. But this is about government, NOT RELIGION, government that either raises people up or keeps them down.
There should be room for all our points of view, but it’s more personal than that: There should be room for all our contributing residents to live life equally here in Woodstock and to be raised up since they ARE our neighbors: SEE ABOVE PHOTO!
Woodstock Early Bird doesn’t care with whom people are paired or singled-out, just so long as they pay their taxes, shovel their walks, pick up the dog poo and keep the noise down, okay?
Julia Carlisle
Woodstock Early Bird 