Romance novels are about relationships, about two people overcoming obstacles and working to establish trust. Romance Writers of America (RWA), writes that in a romance lovers “risk and struggle for each other…and are rewarded with emotional justice and unconditional love.” In a romance novel, with its happily-ever-after outlook, the story often ends with a marriage, or at least the promise of one.
I am a romance writer. I write about romance because I believe in it just as surely I believe in marriage. I believe that life is better because of romance, and it is better because of marriage. Finding one’s soul mate is not an easy task. Pledging lifelong love and commitment to that person is truly wondrous.
Why then are so many supposedly religious folk denying others the joy and permanance that comes from the marriage vow? In the name of their God? What sort of God denies any person’s love for another?
On Tuesday, California passed Proposition 8. In doing so, a small majority enforced their religious beliefs on the rest of the state. I believe it was an act of intolerance, ignorance, and fear. It marked those in the gay and lesbian community as unworthy of marriage.
Not so many years ago, other states banned interracial marriages. Courts bastardized children born of such unions. Parents could be, and were at times, jailed for a simple act of love. Eventually, however, as Civil Rights took root and reason prevailed, courts began to see the light. The laws were declared unjust and people who loved one another – Black, White, or Asian – could legally wed.
However hurtful, I believe this latest assault on the right to marry in California (and other states) is simply one more temporary setback. Like the Civil Rights movement, the marches and protests must, and will, continue until society sees the light. As in a romance novel, there will be a struggle, but there will also be a happily-ever-after for those who love.
Stringing Beads 
Deb,
Passionate, reasoned, and written with a loving heart.
So so sad. I can NOT understand why people don’t readily see the similarities. Why? Because they are blinded by intolerance and fear.
Good for you, Deb! Totally agree. My cousin and his partner have been together about 25 years. Longer than most married couples I know.
“Why then are so many supposedly religious folk denying others the joy and permanance that comes from the marriage vow? In the name of their God? What sort of God denies any person’s love for another?”
unfortunately ‘the church’ (- you may fill in whatever here, it does not seem to matter -) has a large hand in it. As long as marriage between same sex couples is touted as wrong, against God’s commandments, homosexuality pictured as contagious (of all things!), and the list goes on, many people who are either uneducated, do not care, or have no compassion at all, will simply follow blindly. At times it makes me throw up my hands in desperation. At what point does love not equal love?
Love is love!
They seem to think, for some reason, that it debases the value of marriage for heterosexual couples. And then they criticise homosexuals for being promiscuous. It’s all very confusing! Thank you for writing about it.
Nice post Deb, romance is wonderful, so is love and if two people love each other enough to commit to each other through marriage they should be allowed to do so.
Great post! I enjoyed the read!
Thanks Deb. I’ve posted on this issue myself although my site The Fading Ad Blog is about vintage mural ads. More people need to speak about this in a public forum to see the faces behind the ban.
Thank you all for your comments to this important issue. As Fading Ad said, this needs to be spoken about in a public forum – “to see the faces behind the ban.” They are beautiful faces and good people. We cannot remain silent. Thanks again!