Wake Up

There are plenty of opinions about Bush’s recent declaration of support for a Constitutional amendment to “protect marriage” (or, more
accurately, to make gays and lesbians second-class citizens), but I think the piece actor/geek Wil Wheaton posted to his weblog is one of the better ones I’ve seen.

Yes, I am shocked that I agree with Andrew Sullivan about anything, but that just illustrates how insane this idea is, and how it transcends political ideology.

Now, I have no doubt that this effort will fail. I believe that it will ultimately backfire on the Bush Administration, and contribute to his defeat in November. The United States just isn’t the Theocracy that Mr. Bush wants to create.

There is a wonderful opportunity here, though, that I haven’t heard anyone talk about, yet: we are now forced, as a nation, to acknowledge and confront the widespread discrimination against gays and lesbians, and I believe that Americans will unite against segregation now, just as we did during the Civil Rights movement.

I believe in America. I believe in the Bill of Rights, and the founding principals of this nation. I believe that goodness, compassion, and tolerance will triumph over hatred, bigotry, and ignorance.

And I am proud to stand up for these beliefs, whatever the consequences.

The whole thing is well worth a read, so go read it.

UPDATE: Contrast Wil’s statement with this incredibly offensive editorial [link via Boing Boing] by writer Orson Scott Card. Ugh.