Newspapers / Q-notes (Charlotte, N.C.) / March 13, 2004, edition 1 / Page 27
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MARCH 13 . 2004 • Q-NOTES Q-Living 27 Frank takes aim at San Fran gay marriages Barney Frank catls California's same-sex ceremonies a 'diversion' by Michael Alvear Barney Frank is so wrong. He told the Associated Press that the granting of marriage licenses in San Francisco could damage efforts to defend the legaliza tion of marriage in Massachusetts. Huh? Barney Frank is one of our most articu late spokespeople. On TV, I’ve seen him tie our opponents into such knots they walk away from the studio like drunken pretzels. But when Frank called the San Francisco phenomenon a “diversion” from our “real struggle.” the man went from being pitch perfect to being tone-deaf. A diversion? The spectacle in San Francisco was the best thing that’s come out of gay marriage since Liza filed for divorce. Some call it civil disobedience: others call it breaking the law. Some call it upholding the state’s constitution against discrimination; others call it breaking the state’s law against same sex marriage. Call it what you want, but recognize its enormous symbolic impor tance: It’s the Stonewall of the 21st century. Only instead of the streets erupting in violent protest, they’re erupting in sponta neous celebration. Instead of fighting back. we’re loving back. Instead of exchanging blows we’re exchanging vows. All over the country people are witness ing the spectacle of thousands of loving cou ples waiting in line, thankful, grateful, rever ential toward an institution they’re supposed to be sullying. People all over the country are dying to get out of marriage, and here we are witnessing thousands killing themselves to get in. Has anyone seen this many people this happy to get married? How many straight couples would camp overnight in bone-chilling weather for the chance of a marriage license? As straight people witness this incredi ble devotion toward a sacred institution, a question has to occur to them: How could anybody that loving and committed be a detriment to marriage? Not only was middle America intro duced to some of the tax paying, law abid ing neighbors they’ve been so scared of, it also produced a rash of rather surprising public statements from other parts of the country. The best was clearly Chicago’s Mayor Richard Daley. in a press conference, the mayor scoffed at the suggestion that same-sex couples would undermine the institution of marriage. “Marriage has been undermined by divorce,” he said rather testily. “You’re not going to lecture me about marriage. People should look at their own life. Don’t blame the gay and lesbian, transgender and transsexual community.” That’s a diversion, Barney? Charlotte Business Guild Meeting Date: Tuesday, March 16, 2004 Program: Congressional Candidate Jack Flynn Holiday Inn, College and 7th St. Social 5:30 pm - Dinner & Program 6:30 pm To Reserve: Cost $20 Call 704-565-5075 by 12:00 pm Monday, March 15, 2004 charlottebusinessguild.com BARBARA HOLLINGSWORTH ATTORNEY & MEDIATOR Specializing in Negotiation and Mediation of Relationship Issues Domestic Partnership Agreements Collaborative Negotiation & Mediation of Disputes Wills & Powers of Attorney 704/455-8241 6725 Robinson Church Road • Harrisburg, NC 28075 And on top of that, other areas of the country arc thinking about issuing mar riage licenses (Chicago) or already doing it (New Mexico — though the courts there put a restraining order on it). San Francisco’s marriage “Hcarthquakc” is a lesson in the evolution of civil disobedience. We’ve gone from “sit-ins” to “I Do-ins.” Random acts of kindness arc pouring in. Stonewall delivered punches, Hearthquake delivered flowers. People all over the country arc sending flowers to the couples standing in line. Imagine, strangers sending bouquets to strangers. The grassroots movement is being dubbed “Flowers from the heartland.” Patti Ellis, a mother with a gay son, sent a bouquet to ... well, she couldn’t say, really. It didn’t matter. “Just pick somebody in line,” she told Church Street Flowers, who prom ised they’d pick a couple and hug them for good measure. Patti, the creator of a website for parents of gay children (www.familyac- ccptancc.com), lives in Fayetteville, Ga. She knows people all pver the country- — Michigan. Kentucky, Minneapolis, who have sent flowers to anonymous couples. Why did Patti do it? "Because I feel so helpless,” she told me. "It’s a way for me to give congratu lations to an event my own son might be pre vented from ever taking part in." That’s a diversion, Barney? You’re wrong. The "I Do-in” isn’t a dis traction. It’s the main event. Michael Alvear is the authorof Men Arc Pigs But We Love Bacon. Email him at michaei@men rpigs.ee. WORSHIP’ THAT INSPIRES, MISSION THAT MATTERS! 2004: New Life’s Year of the Woman! March: “Women and the Word” Preaching Series Join us each week as Righteous Women bring the message for our Sunday evening worship! Call or check the web for details! Also 2004: jProyecto Nuevos Amigos: Mexico! And Starting Now: The Artist’s Way® classes!! Worship • Scripture Study • LGBTQ Outreach HIV/AIDS Support • Spiritual Direction • Artist’s Way Groups • Choir • iProyecto Nuevos Amigos: Mexico! • Coffeehouse Worship • Nursing Shelter Outreach • Food » Fellowship « Community « Hope • Joy • Love GREAT PLAZA-MIDWOOD LOCATION! 1900 The Plaza Sunday 7 pm Worship Charlotte, NC 704-334-0350 The Rev. Tim Koch, Ph.D., Pastor www.newlifemcc.org New^j^^Tife MCC HelroplKan Conimunily Cliurcti hnt it nice that some things in life are so predictable? Call us to find out how to save up to *1,000 on qualifying Trane Equipment* Zero Down No pay till May 2004* 704-527-1889 Expires 12/15/03. *Subject to credit approval. *Accoimt must be paid in full by May 5, 2004 or interest is accrued from day one. $ 20 Off Any Repair or Clean & Check We Service All Brands of Heating & Cooling Systems 704-527-1889 With coupon only. Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid widi other offers. HEATING & COOlING TRAMB 704-527-1889 ANGIES LIST * ’-sssr*’" www.acostainc.com BBB -jr-
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