On the way to work this morning (Zach gave me a ride), we decided to listen to the headlines on NPR. We were too late for headlines. Instead, we heard an interesting interview with L. Gray Kelley, a (now former) Justice of the Peace in Massachusetts.
Ms. Kelley (or Ms. Gray Kelley, I'm not sure which) just turned in her resignation as a JP on religious grounds - after Mass. Governor Mitt Romney issued an "edict" concerning the legal gay marriages that are due to begin in that state on Monday. The basis of the "edict" = just do it. All JPs must perform gay marriages when requested within their official duties. It's the law. Right now, it's legal. No conscientious objectors, no "I'm not available right now", etc.
Ms. Kelley/Gray Kelley, a devout Catholic, chose to resign, since gay marriage conflicts with her religious beliefs. That's fine with me - it's her decision. I'd much rather have JPs resign rather than refuse to marry couples. I mean, the last time I checked, Massachusetts Justices of the Peace could not pick and choose between couples to wed - gay or straight, fat or thin, tall or short, interracial, so forth. Their jobs do not include passing judgement upon potential unions, or using that judgement to refuse to perform the wedding under Massachusetts law. If the paperwork has been done, and the fees paid, then the JP must perform the wedding - anything else would not fit the JP job description.
But, as Ms. Kelley/Gray Kelley's interview was wrapping up, the interviewer (I didn't catch who it was) asked how her homosexual friends reacted. She admitted they were "shocked", and also admitted that, on national radio, she probably sounds somewhat homophobic. But, to counteract this apparent homophobic image she's probably getting nationwide now, she put forth the following evidence: she has always been involved with "theater and interior design."
Theater and interior design.
I'm confused. So, she isn't homophobic because she's always been involved with theater and interior design? Oh sh*t. I must be homophobic, then - because I've NEVER been involved with theater and interior design! Oh no! I hate myself, then! And my boyfriend! Oh me - oh my.
Oh, wait. I get it. Gays must be involved in theater and interior design, I suppose. So, to tolerate gays and befriend them (us, me), I suppose she's asserting that one must be involved in theater and interior design.
Think on that.
Done thinking? Okay, as a gay man, I'm physically, emotionally (and so forth) attracted to other men. Not theater and interior design. I've never been involved in either. I get stage fright - I could only play in orchestra pits, at best. And anyone who knows me for five minutes will realize that my idea of "interior design" consists of two main facets:
1. Picking up stray paper clips and bits of food off of my bedroom floor BEFORE turning on the vacuum.
2. Ensuring that my sacred Ewan McGregor poster is hung up straight.
To my friends out there reading this entry, please... please don't ever tell anyone you aren't homophobic because you know "theater and interior design" - I'd rather you instead say because you know James.
I weep for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Posted by James at May 14, 2004 09:20 AMShe really said that? That's one of the most ignorant statements I've ever heard.
Posted by: hot toddy at May 14, 2004 01:59 PM