Independence Day and Marriage Equality
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
As we emerge from the July 4th holiday and rightly celebrate the world’s most successful experiment in self-governance, it is particularly timely to remember Thomas Jefferson’s famous words in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among them are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Fulfilling the bold and aspirational promise of that statement has been one of the fundamental struggles of our democracy over the past 235 years. Among other prominent examples, it underlay the successes of the civil rights movement of the 1960s and the drive for women to have the right to vote in the early 1900s. And at its core it is what the fight for marriage equality is all about. Gay Americans deserve the same treatment and rights as the rest of us.
This past week’s argument over whether the civil union legislation passed by the General Assembly is a step towards full equality or a step backwards—due in large measure to the overly broad exemption for religious organizations—is important. But no matter how one comes down on that question, those hoping that the move towards civil unions will end or delay the fight for gay marriage are engaged in wishful thinking.
Precisely because marriage equality challenges us to live up to the fundamental principles upon which our nation was founded, it continues to gain support and momentum. Polling shows there is now majority support for gay marriage both nationally and in Rhode Island.
This movement in public opinion towards gay marriage has encouraged supporters in nearby Maine to launch a ballot initiative campaign for 2012. In 2009, Maine voters by a narrow margin repealed a gay marriage law passed by the state legislature and signed by the governor. But recent polling shows a significant shift in public opinion since 2009 with likely Maine voters now favoring marriage equality. Further, 2012 is a presidential year which will generate a higher turnout of younger voters who are more inclined to be supportive, giving this initiative a high probability of success.
Here in Rhode Island, look to an even more aggressive fight to adopt marriage equality in the 2012 legislative session with the entire General Assembly up for election.
As one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence, it would certainly be fitting for Rhode Island to join its New England neighbors and truly uphold the belief upon which this country was founded—that ALL of us are equal.
If you valued this article, please LIKE GoLocalProv.com on Facebook by clicking HERE.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
Rob Horowitz is a strategic and communications consultant who provides general consulting, public relations, direct mail services and polling for national and state issue organizations, various non-profits and elected officials and candidates. He is an Adjunct Professor of Political Science at the University of Rhode Island.
Related Articles
- Momentum for Gay Marriage: What It Means for Rhode Island
- A Refreshing Grown-up Moment
- The Internet - Bringing Us Together or Pulling Us Apart?
- Democrats - We Can’t Party Like It’s 1996
