The Right To Love

I sit here, after browsing through random blogs, and cannot for the life of me think of a title for this entry that will not cause all sorts of problematic situations. I’m a passionate person by nature, and tend to speak before weighing the consequences of my words. Not this time. This time I choose to try and be diplomatic on one of the subjects that I’m most passionate about. Same-sex marriage. I myself am proudly bi-sexual, did a presentation in 12th grade regarding same-sex marriage and am a big supporter of the recent accomplishments in the state of California. I’m not even American.

While browsing blogs, I came across one regarding this recent development. I also came across several points that made me quite angry. Most of them referring to the Christian faith and it’s view on the topic at hand. I have no problems with people having their own beliefs. I encourage it. However some Christian people seem to believe that everyone must adhere to their beliefs and nothing else. I have news for you: no we don’t. I was raised Catholic, even baptized my first Christmas.

After realizing some of the very unethical (by my standards anyways) views of the Church, I no longer decided to follow the faith. I am now quite happily Pagan. I know what some people think about that, and that is a rant for another time.

I get very frusterated and angry with people that say homosexuality is a choice, and that marriage is between 1 man and 1 woman as stated by scripture. Christianity may be old, and some people hold dearly to the old teachings, but when it comes to love, and certainly when it comes to the legal system, religion has no place to dictate. Be it Christianity, Buddhism, Paganism, Jewish or any other religion.

A lot of people see marriage as a solely religious endevour, but how many people decide to marry by a Justice of the Peace rather than a religious figure? I am by no means saying that marriage is required to prove love, but it is a commitment made by two people who care deeply about one another. Because a man loves a man or a woman loves a woman, does this make them any less capable of the emotion? Most certainly not. Love is not ruled by gender. It’s ruled by the connection two people share. By the emotion between them.

So I ask you, should we forbid those people to love? Because that has always been my impression on the situation. The same thing that makes a woman love a man can make her love a woman.

Many arguments state that homosexuality is a choice that people make, well I hate to point out the obvious, but if that is the case, then so is heterosexuality. They are both a preference. If homosexuality isn’t coded in the genes, then neither is heterosexuality. They are both a choice that is made based strictly off preference.

All of this ranting and I am still unable to come up with a diplomatic title for this entry. Will you deny people the joy of love while you enjoy it simply because they do not have the same preference or beliefs as you? Well, that reminds me of a quote: “love of one’s own good perverted to a desire to deprive other men of theirs.” This is also known as Dante’s definition of Envy. A cardinal sin my friends, so what does that say about you? The very contradictions that come later astound me. And here I will end my rant with these words: No one has the right to deny anyone else the feeling of love, for to do so is cruel, and unforgiving. Are those not sins as well?

Keycon ‘08 Silver Anniversary

Well, today was the final day of Keycon, Winnipeg’s annual SF&F convention. I was recruited by one of the co-chairs early this year, who I happened to work with. I will forever be in his debit. This was my first con and not only did I learn so much, but I was also a part of it’s success. Granted it was just a small part, I was a guest liaison for one of the author’s attending the con.

However for me, this was not just any guest. She’s a Canadian science fiction and fantasy author with many successful novels & short stories under her belt as well as an acclaimed, albeit short-lived, television adaptation of her successful Victoria Nelson series. Yes, I’m talking about none other than the incredible Tanya Huff. I’ve been reading her work for years, and she’s been one of my top three authors for nearly as long as I’ve been reading her.

4 days and a grand total of 4.5 hours sleep over those four days, and I’ve learned much more than I could have dreamed. As an avid writer, my appreciation for this weekend is unparalleled. To be able to spend so much time with, and gain so much knowledge from, someone that I’ve long admired has been an incredible experience. Among the other guests this year were the Great Luke Ski, Eric Flint, Jane Yolen, David Mattingly, Liana K., Robert J. Sawyer and Jennifer C. Wilkes. All of whom were amazing. We were lucky enough to have Luke Ski close off the con with a stellar performance of Fanboy.

Despite the fact that I was at the con all day as well as working my normal night job, I had an amazing time and it will take something very spectacular to top this weekend. Even if I was over-caffeinated, sleep deprived and far too stimulated.