A guest blog from Jordon Johnson for the DPNM
In New Mexico, we stand by each other in good times and through challenging circumstances. We understand treating our neighbors equally includes ensuring the free pursuit of happiness, liberty, privacy, and spirituality that is guaranteed to each individual under our state’s Constitution. Recently, there has been legislation introduced to define marriage and how it is recognized in our state. What defines marriage is love, commitment and family.
While these values are universal, there are thousands of gay and lesbian couples in New Mexico that are treated differently, which goes against a value New Mexicans hold dear: treat others as you would like to be treated.
The proposed legislation regarding defining marriage and which marriages are recognized goes against the values of our state. Any legislation that denies families living in New Mexico the pursuit of love, commitment and economic security goes against the values of our state.
In these current economic times, our families have never been so important. It is their love and commitment that often help us through difficult times and whom we share the joy of our successes.
Elected officials have bigger economic concerns to focus on and should not get diverted into defining marriage beyond love and commitment when jobs need to be boosted and the economic conditions of our state need to be the primary focus. When the economy is tough, why would we make it harder for any family to take care of one another?
Gay and lesbian couples share similar values, like the importance of watching out for our families and neighbors. Just like all couples, we have similar worries, like paying the bills or the possibility of losing a job.
Committed couples, whether they are gay, lesbian or straight, hope to marry for similar reasons – to publicly acknowledge their love and commitment to each other and to make a lifetime promise to share the joys and sorrows that life brings.
Denied the freedom to marry, gay and lesbian couples and their families are deprived of literally thousands of legal and economic protections -- such as hospital visitation, inheritance rights, parenting and immigration rights-- as well as hundreds of state and local protections that provide a safety net to married couples.
Marriage strengthens families. It gives couples the tools and the security to build a life together as well as to protect their family. Marriage is one of the few times where a couple makes a public promise of their love and commitment for each other. It recognizes that all our families matter.
source
No comments:
Post a Comment