Sueing While In The Right May Have Unintended Consequences

I get so riled up when talking about equality rights for GLBT's. Many of us do. But I get kinda scary, I'll admit it. I'm actually pretty militant. I simply don't accept pithy, repugnant religious arguments when it comes to marriage rights or equality. In fact, when a person attempts to use "christian" principles as the basis of their arguments, I instantly know they lack the ability to understand their own faith, and therefore obviously lack the ability to critically think through any ideal that requires them to, ya know, think (see what I mean about my stance?). And even just typing those few sentences, my blood pressure has gone way up, my face flushed, and thoughts of angry outbursts at intolerant co-workers fill my mind. So... yeah.

Because of my inclinations, it's very good for me to hear (or read) sentiments similar to what a national coalition of LGBT rights groups has put into writing today (PDF). According to the extremely empathic and level-headed release, the group explains why bum-rushing militant style lawsuits after marrying in California is a bad idea. We are still feeling the repercussions of similar actions in the wake of the Massachusetts decision, and it would be a shame if we felt more of a push back from this new ruling. Essentially, the release encourages any and all queer couples that are ready and willing to make a sincere life commitment to their partners to get married in California, but to be prepared for the long fight ahead in your home state.

We have to recognize that this is truly a grass-roots movement. We have to build this from the bottom on up. If we treat our marriages as we want them to be treated, and demand the same from those around us, we can affect more change then by trying to force others to see it our way. If those around us, and those not-so-around us, see our struggles, they will empathize, if they see our joy, they will find it hard to revel in hate. We win, in the coalition's estimation, by continuing to push on the rock and watching it break piece-by-piece rather than trying to break the rock with a hammer (very Taoist, I like it).

I agree with this sentiment, but that doesn't mean I find it an easy one to agree with. Rationally, it makes sense, but emotionally, all I want to do is destroy anyone that stands in the way of happiness for me and my partner (well, he's not my "partner" just yet, but when we're ready I'm hoping he will be). I'm not one to be humble in the face of bigotry. Luckily for me, I'm also not one to know how to or have the desire to fight government entities.

So for now, I'll live up to my charge: stand up and fight for my rights against any person that chooses to stand in my way (god save their soul), and leave the litigation to those that know it best. What I know best is my life and my love, and that's what I should be fighting for most... for now at least.