I was disheartened yesterday by Sarah Prager’s comment: “A citizens’ petition is not appropriate for civil rights matters.” I realize that Prager’s main concern was the forgery and deception tactics that are being used by same-sex marriage foes, but how can she say that petitions are not appropriate for civil rights matters? I believe she means that petitions should not be used when they oppose her beliefs and when they oppose equality. I would like to remind all gay rights activists that organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign use petitions in support of same-sex marriage (millionformarriage.org). Are these petitions inappropriate as well, or are they appropriate because they support gay rights? I protested at the steps of the Massachusetts State House three times in support of equal marriage rights, demanding equality not just from the State but from its people. I’ve collected signatures on behalf of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force to gain support for equality. I demand equality not just because I believe I am entitled to equal rights under the Fourteenth Amendment and Supreme Court precedent, but because I believe all people have an unalienable right to equality and dignity. I am disappointed in Prager, because equal rights supporters cannot demand equal rights and simultaneously deny equality to others. Prager and I may not agree with people who oppose same-sex marriage, but it is wrong and hypocritical for us to condemn the petition rights of others. To condemn petition rights merely because the petitions oppose our beliefs undermines the very equality that we demand. I want equal marriage rights just as much as Prager, but I am unwilling to deny my adversaries equality to advance my own beliefs. The moment I refuse equality to others, is the moment I become no different than those I condemn and the moment I no longer deserve equality.
Skyler W. Brader Homosexual Male CAS 2007 [email protected] 617-388-2375
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