Life After DOMA: Never Say Never

Gay_flag.svgThe only thing constant in life is change.

 –  François de la Rochefoucauld

Seventeen years ago the Defense of Marriage Act was enacted. I’m sure you’ve all heard by now that the Supreme Court (finally!) ruled it was unconstitutional yesterday.

Ten years ago I never thought something like this would happen in my lifetime.

Five years ago I hoped it would become possible in another generation.

Yesterday it happened.

Two days ago I winced when the Supreme Court essentially invalidated the Voting Rights Act of 1956. Someday that act will hopefully no longer be necessary, but I don’t think society has advanced enough to protect the voting rights of racial minorities in the U.S. without it.

I hope I’m wrong about that the same way I seriously misestimated how long DOMA and Prop 8 would stick around.

We will see.

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all.

– Emily Dickinson

Respond

What social or political changes have you been most surprised by in your lifetime?

 

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0 Responses to Life After DOMA: Never Say Never

  1. Susan Schiller

    Regarding DOMA, the time progression you listed really speaks to me… we live in a time of acceleration, that’s for sure. There’s so much I have yet to learn about gender roles in society, but one thing I’m glad to see is that the patriarchal system, the male-dominated system that’s been in place for all of Time, is not only being questioned, but in some parts of our systems, it’s going down. What will take it’s place, I wonder… My hope is for equality, as both sides learn to partner together. My hope for marriage is the same…

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