There's something stirring...

"The right to marry whoever one wishes is an elementary human right compared to which ‘the right to attend an integrated school, the right to sit where one pleases on a bus, the right to go into any hotel or recreation area or place of amusement, regardless of one’s skin or color or race’ are minor indeed. Even political rights, like the right to vote, and nearly all other rights enumerated in the Constitution, are secondary to the inalienable human rights to 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness' proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence; and to this category the right to home and marriage unquestionably belongs," - Hannah Arendt, Dissent, 1959.

I meant to post this yesterday, but today's a better choice. Right across the USA, if not the world are significant protests against the passage of Proposition 8 in California and openly for Homosexual marriage. Not just in the usual places of New York and San Francisco, but Alaska, Iowa City, Philadelphia (Alright that one isnt too suprising), but how about Wisconsin or Salt Lake City ?

Whilst the acceptance of Homosexuality is only somewhat higher amongst Gen-Y and below, what is significant is that it is real acceptance, not just a lack of hate or discrimination, or even just tolerance, for those who dont have a problem with Homosexuals, the idea that any form of discrimination or second class status is valid is completely unacceptable.

This comes up as a policy break on the left between the old and new generations in the issue of Gay Marriage. Whilst older left wing politicians like the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd or even our own Jon Stanhope (ACT Chief Minister) tolerate and want to end discrimination against Homosexuals, for neither is full marriage the right answer. But for the youth there is no question, just as Hannah Arendt wrote in 1959 that Marriage is not only the only option it is an inviolable right for any and all adults in this world.

I'm not saying the youth will rise and overturn the discrimination against Homosexuals, sadly too many of my generation still bear that prejudice and even wear it openly at times, despite the prevelance and normality of homosexuals in our culture and social lives. But if and when action is taken by this generation, it wont be for half measures like Civil unions. Only full marriage, of term and form will be seen as acceptable.

Really how could anything else be?