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. "