Stand tall for decency, tolerance
4/25/09 | 5 comments
guest column

Stand tall for decency, tolerance


Isaac Rosen

I’m a 22-year old college student born and raised in Bangor, and can easily recall the numerous times growing up I was called a “faggot” in high school, or had my books thrown out the window of the school bus — long before I was out of the closet. It wasn’t until getting to Washington, D.C., to attend college that I felt comfortable enough to accept what I had always known, and was opened up to a world of support from friends, faculty and the city itself.

Like a large number of proponents on both sides of the gay marriage debate in Maine, I’ve been following the buildup to the marriage equality hearings closely. I have a lot of pride for my state, and think the dialogue on the issue is extremely important. I don’t have any difficulty accepting that gay marriage is an issue that may pose problems for strict heterosexual-marriage advocates. (I, along with countless others, shy away from the term “traditional marriage,” since there are a lot of “traditional” marriage practices in our collective history that render the term useless in describing modern families).

But while I am sensitive to these concerns, I firmly believe in marriage equality for everyone. I won’t propose to know everything about the issue, although just like everyone else who holds an opinion on it should, I have worked to understand the constitutional rationale for gay marriage and the human rights issues it invokes. I understand that the strong religious convictions others hold against gay marriage are not the enemy. Those are everyone’s personal right, just like any other social issue.

But reading many of the comments posted in response to gay marriage in the paper have made me sick and extremely disappointed. The explicit bigotry and false claims that have been thrown into the mix are a painful reminder of why it took 18 years and a change of location for me to feel OK with who I was, only further com-pounded by the upsetting news of hate crimes throughout the state in recent years.

Regardless of the marriage issue, it should be clear to everyone in Bangor, and Mainers statewide, that there still remains a generation of young people who are taunted and persecuted because of their sexual identity or perceived sexual identity. And regardless of where you stand on gay marriage, it’s up to everyone to stand tall for decency and tolerance.

Gays and lesbians are everywhere, and I hope that soon enough, from Augusta to Washington County, there will be teenagers who feel they have enough support to live proudly, without having to fear heading off to school or venturing into the community. I take comfort in social progression and a growing acceptance among young people.

The rallying cry of previous generations of human rights activists does — I believe — still ring true: The times, they are a’changin’.

Isaac Rosen, a Bangor native, attends college in Washington, D.C.

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Comments
5 comments on this item
On 4/25/09 at 7:39 AM, pizanos wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

For most opponents of same-sex marriage conformity is the real issue, the same reason your fellow-students bullied you in school. They forget that marriage is whatever two partners chose it to be and that no single marriage has a patent on moral superiority. Since Maine has traditionally favored freedom when it comes to life-style, it will no doubt do so again.

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On 4/25/09 at 8:17 AM, fredrogers wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Issac you are a brave person, bravo!

I can remember when a brave, young man, a liitle older than you, who came out in front of a large business group meeting one morning in Brewer Maine over 15 Yrs ago now.

He changed a few minds that morning. But even as his his dad was the former CEO of one of the largest employers in Maine, and too his family is prominant family in Maine, and a well that though he was honest and open about his trails and tribulations too, most back then were almost afraid knowing that "they" were amoung us, haha.

BUT, It opened everyones eyes too! Light of day, shining on the real issues, changes everything!

See it takes folks like yourself to push your way to the "front the bus", year after year until you can take a front row seat, every time,.

Keep advancing your cause, a cause for all humanity and keep speaking up and speaking out, and thus educatiing us.

And soon, most likely in your lifetime now, it will only be a civics lesson, this thing about equal rights for all!

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On 4/25/09 at 2:12 PM, chersully2000 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Issac Rosen:

I appreciated what you wrote very much. I am glad you have found more acceptance, and therefore, a more rewarding and contented life there in Washington DC.

I despair too, and am saddened by, a lot of the reactions, atttitudes, comments concerning same-sex marriage and just the general tone and attitude towards homosexual people. It does not make me proud of living in this State at times. I realize, of course, that these intolerant and indeed, hate-filled attitudes exist in other states as well.

I have two sons in their 20's and know from them and others, that the younger people do not harbor all these prejudices. So bigotry and intolerance appear to be dwindling little by little. That is hopeful anyway....and long overdue.

The best to you.

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On 5/1/09 at 10:05 AM, donaldchabot wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Religion is the single greatest impediment to the recognition of the inherent citizenship of America's gay and lesbian citizens.

The argument of dueling bible verses between our supporters and detractors should be between them alone. Both sides need to get out of our lives and let the civil legislative and judicial process take its own course as it has done in Iowa and Vermont.

The travesty of the recent California election with the passage of Prop-Hate should never happen again anywhere else.

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On 5/12/09 at 9:20 AM, jspear wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Issac,

I too, grew up tortured for who I was, trying at times not to be what I know now, I had no choice in being. Religion wasn't as much of a hindrence for me then but I knew the bite of a hateful comment, the physical fear of others, the shame and frustration that I could not fit in. It took me a lot longer than you to be OK in my skin but I am blessed to have found peace with myself and with my soul mate. I see the benefits of this vote from 3 states away and am hopeful that my state will follow the good folks of Maine in the quest to offer equal rights to marry. I hope for you that your life will take positive turns and that you will find happiness along with the hard times and someone to share both with, the hard times made easier with a lighter load, the good times more intense seeing them through the eyes of someone you love. You and the good citizens of maine have taken a giant step towards common sense here......peace

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