It's about family

I just had the pleasure of reading John Corvino's newest article, "The Power of Words,"on the Independent Gay Forum. It's a beautiful narrative describing the process by which his mother comes to view, accept, and openly articulate the place John's partner has in their family. It's a quick read, so go for it.

I was drawn in immediately, as his first description of his mother is identical to my own. His mother would always refer to his boyfriends as his "friend" (quotes adding to the reality of the awkwardness).

Mr. Corvino uses this narrative of transformation to argue that the social/familial acceptance of homosexuality is not only more important than the political and legal, but that it inherently precedes it:

"It’s because marriage is, at some level, a pre-political reality. Yes, the law creates something, but it also acknowledges something that’s already present. Both roles are important."

This is the essence of the gay conservative and moderate libertarians view on social change. The political perks of marriage are definitely worth fighting for, if it means equality under the law, but government recognition will never be as meaningful or as strong as the social acknowledgment. And in fact, I believe the reason we keep seeing pro-gay judicial action overturned by legislative action is because the social aspect is still developing. Government cannot dictate popular opinion and morality, it only responds to it. The root of change is interaction between individuals, whether that interaction be between family, friends, or colleagues.

I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Milton Friedman on the nature of social change in relation to economic policy:

"The great virtue of a free market system is that it does not care what color people are, it does not care what their religion is, it only cares whether they can produce something you want to buy. It is the most effective system we have discovered to enable people who hate one another to deal with one another and help one another. "

My personal stimulus plan

This is hilarious: http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=51961728543&h=Fc0xZ&u=Ga0Il

"wireless and broadband deployment grant programs

(including transfer of funds to Sarah Grether for the Sarah Grether Personal Economic Stimulus Program)

For necessary and unnecessary expenses related to the Wireless and Broadband Deployment Grant Programs established by section 6002 of division B of this Act, $2,825,000,000, of which $1,000,000,000 shall be for Wireless Deployment Grants and $1,825,000,000 shall be for Broadband Deployment Grants: Provided, That an additional $20,000,000 shall be paid directly to Sarah Grether in the form of subsidized loans that do not require repayment. Provided Further, That the funds be used by Sarah Grether to To invest in people/organizations trying to reduce the size of government or for whatever. Provided Even Further, That Sarah Grether will receive free Indigo Girls tickets for life. Provided Even Further Still, That Sarah Grether shall be treated as a cabinet-level appointment for the purpose of income tax reporting, and therefore no taxes shall be paid on any of the aformentioned benefits. And one more thing: Nancy Pelosi is hereby expelled from Congress, effective immediately upon enactment."

Great post from a blogger over at Bureaucrash

Bureaucrash Social blogger J. Nick Puglia, just wrote a great entry about an attempt within the Washington state legislature to "demand that the federal government immediately cease and desist 'all mandates that are beyond the scope of its constitutionally delegated powers.'”

The bill has been sponsored by four Republicans... and who knows how far they'll be able to take it. Regardless, this is a nice reminder that there are a few politicians in the mix that actually believe in limiting their own power and the power of the state.

God bless Dennis Lennox

Republican Dennis Lennox was elected to the office of Drain Commissioner for Cheboygan County, MI last November on the platform of eliminating the said position. He won the seat and has kept his word. As a testament to his believe in a limited and frugal government, Dennis requested that he be fired; and at the County Commissioner meeting Weds. evening his request was approved.

Thank you, Dennis! You are setting a high bar for your fellow Republican colleagues; something that can only lead to a freer society. I wish you the best of luck!

For more information, visit http://firedennis.wordpress.com/

Why I have to side with the American Family Association

(Originally posted on 2/12/09 on Facebook)

For those of you who receive updates from the Human Rights Campaign (or maybe the few of my friends who possibly received an e-mail from the AFA), you are well aware of an e-mail distributed on the afternoon of 2/11. This letter encouraged all those who support equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Americans to protest the airing of a show filmed by the American Family Association on their perception of the "gay agenda." This hour long show was to be shown on WoodTV-8 out of Grand Rapids. I have not watched this show yet (although, it is available on afa.net), however, according to HRC, it is "hateful" and hosted by "Janet Parshall, who in 2006 suggested Matthew Shepard's lifestyle was responsible for his murder and called gay adoption 'state-sanctioned child abuse.'" There is no doubt I find those statements hurtful and frankly false.

The program spends the majority of the time discussing how hate-crime legislation will diminish the freedom of speech of Christians and threaten their lifestyle. The HRC has dismissed this as untrue and the perpetuation of fear-inducing lies. As a libertarian, I'm weary of the mere idea of hate-crime legislation, and will save that for another day.

But about an hour after HRC put WoodTV-8 on their "watch list," their phones were bombarded with calls and e-mails from all over the country demanding the station not air the show. WoodTV then backed out of the offer it had made with the AFA.

Now, I believe the AFA should air their show for one primary reason. This being that unfettered discourse is the only way to truth and understanding, and necessary for a free and civil society. If this AFA program is as outrageous and hateful as HRC claims, this will do no harm to the fight for GLBT equality. It will serve as a rallying call to the few anti-gay extremists, and turn the more moderate population away from these radical views. Also, who would know how much discussion this would spur in publications throughout the state and country; leading to dissemination of information to more than just the individuals who watched and/or protested the show.

Additionally, the massive response from the GLBT population and their allies only proves that the free speech of Christians is legitimately threatened. The HRC was completely contradicting one of its own points for why the show should not be aired. Frankly, as a gay, conservative-libertarian Christian I have a personal investment in both equality under the law and the right to practice, discuss, and lead others to the Christian faith.

A sad example of why I consider myself a communitarian

(Originally posted on 1/26/09 on Facebook)

http://news.aol.com/article/man-93-freezes-to-death-in-home/318210

The AP picked up a story out of the Bay City Times, which reported that a 93-year-old man froze to death inside of his own home after the electric company limited the amount of power entering his home because of over $1,000 in unpaid bills. Some individuals are outraged at the city government for letting the company do this, other neighbors are outraged at the company. None of them are outraged at themselves.

Now, I'm the first to admit that I'm a very devout capitalist, but I also believe that in this age of rampant consumerism, we've lost touch with a lot of things; one of which being the people around us. As individualist as we may claim to be, we are still social creatures and reach our highest potential in supportive, dynamic communities. I, in no way, think that the government was responsible for the paying of this man's electric bills, but definitely believe that private, non-profit community organizations should work next to businesses that provide these sort of necessary functions. I would even go so far as to say that government's illusion of a livable fixed income for the elderly has led to a significant number of retired individuals choosing between heat, medication, and other basic needs.

Where the government will inevitably fail, we need to step us as individuals, as neighbors, as church members, as coworkers, etc. to help keep our communities strong, safe, and prosperous for all.

Response to Newsweek's "Gay Marriage: Our Mutual Joy"

(Originally posted on Dec. 12, 2008 on Facebook)

I posed this story as my status the first day it became available online, but something so important to me deserves a little more attention. If you haven't read "Gay Marriage: Our Mutual Joy" you can read it in its entirety here: http://www.newsweek.com/id/172653

Even though I knew most things covered in the story, I could help but tear up while reading. I spent about a year of my life researching endlessly for this sort of information, as I tried to figure out whether or not I would go to hell for being gay. At one point, I can honestly admit, I researched ex-gay programs.

There are many gay Christians out there, who like me, aren't satisfied with the simplicity of (to use a metaphor from my small group at Alma) "the teddy bear" God. For someone who truly believes in right and wrong (with some subjectivism thrown in), deciding to come out was a decision that involved a lot of research, a lot of critical thought, and a lot of faith. There are many pro-gay analyses of Biblical passages, I agree with about 75 percent of them.

There is one aspect of this issue I was sad to see ignored in the story. I do realize how absolutely loaded the story is, and I wouldn't want it to lose focus, but the struggle of gay Christians within the gay community is really underplayed and ignored. If there is a 'gay culture' it is largely amoral and it is really difficult for glbt christians to feel like they aren't compromising either of their identities. Now, I would argue that pop culture across the board is largely amoral, but for glbt youth, or those just coming out, we search for the right way to act, dress, etc. from the few examples that exist. From my experience, there are very few, if any examples, that aren't laced with stereotypes and promiscuous sex. Quite frankly, we need a queer religious role model if we ever want real assimilation.

For those of you interested in some very accessible information, I recommend:

1. The documentary "For the Bible Tells me So" (it's also available on rental programs like netflix and blockbuster)
http://www.forthebibletellsmeso.org/indexc.htm

2. http://www.wouldjesusdiscriminate.org/biblical_evidence/history_lessons.html
This includes a number of biblical passages, including a more in depth look at the love between David and Jonathan. As well as analyses of Ruth and the meaning of the term "eunuch" throughout the Bible. I personally agree with most of this, but don't know if I'm convinced of all arguments.

3. "When same-sex marriage was a Christian rite" http://www.colfaxrecord.com/detail/91429.html
This details the story of a same-sex union between two saints and martyrs in the fourth century AD.

4. For more information on same-sex unions blessed by the Church throughout Europe, I recommend "Christianity, Social Tolerance and Homosexuality" by John Boswell. This is a long, incredibly well researched argument. I haven't made it all the way through the book yet :( There are some great summaries and debates surrounding his argument online, though. http://www.amazon.com/Christianity-Social-Tolerance-Homosexuality-Fourteenth/dp/0226067114

5. "Seven Passages: the story of gay Christians"- this was a play produced by Calvin College. I was lucky enough to go see it when it was performed at Western Michigan last year. This focuses more on the personal struggle of those trying to align their sexual orientation and their faith. The educational DVD can be found here: http://www.actorstheatregrandrapids.com/actorsrandom2.html

Hello, again

So, I've been neglectful. This is changing. Be sure to check back regularly for new entries on news, culture, politics and religion.

In Liberty,

Sarah

Strip searched for Advil??!

(Originally posted at the Mackinac Center intern blog, Trying Liberty)

A great commentary from our friends over at Reason describes the story of a female student who was strip searched by her male, middle school vice-principal for what amounted to two tablets of ibuprofen. In good news, the 9th Circuit Court ruled that the search violated the student’s 4th amendment rights. However, three judges decented, one stating that “this is a difficult case.”

This absurdity brings back fond memories of my middle school experiences. Towards the end of my seventh grade year (2002), caffeinated Penguin brand mints became popular and were banned. The principal announced to us all that if any student was caught in possession of the breath mints “it would be considered the same as possessing marijuana.” I didn’t receive any decent answer when I asked if the coffee would be removed from the teacher’s lounge.

No wonder everyone spends the rest of their life trying to forget middle school.

Celebrate Diversity (at the point of a gun)

(Originally posted at the Mackinac Center intern blog, Trying Liberty)

In last week’s Michigan Education Digest, I covered the story of a female student at Wayland High School who was attacked by two students because of her sexual orientation and advocacy of gay rights. I’ve been following the story as it develops and the one student was expelled, while both attackers are charged with aggravated assault. A third student who recorded the attack and posted it online will not be prosecuted.

Now, The Grand Rapids Press reports, after the attack, a group of parents established the Wayland/Union Safe Schools Coalition and are now pushing for diversity education for students and staff. Some parents are naturally skeptical and hesitant, arguing that the school is not responsible for moral education.

Lo, behold one of the major problems with government education! I personally believe that any good school will encourage students to think critically about those who are different from themselves, but by, more or less, forcing parents to send their children to public schools (because of the lack of any real primary and secondary education market: see this MCPP study if you are unfamiliar with market-based education reform) the state has created one of the single most inefficient systems to deal with individual differences, beliefs, values and preferences. Parents should be able to send their children to schools that reflect their values and goals, whether that be traditional or not.

Intolerance and ignorance are a societal disease, but education and cultural indoctrination at the point of a gun are far from reasonable or effective solutions.