SOMETHING in Advertising

The expression goes “Truth in advertising.” Well, this video campaign by the National Organization for Marriage is not a good example of truth in advertising. Despite this, there is still a lot to glean from watching this video. Some things that are in this video include but are not limited to: Narrow-minded, insensitive, hateful, hurtful, disingenuous, insecure, offensive, shameless, cliché, passé, and in dire need of better special effects.

Another expression I’m fond of: “That’s the measure of a man.” Well if we adopt this principle for corporations, charities and other groups, we can take a measure of it. The National Organization for Marriage clearly does not mind being target of smalltime bloggers like me, so they obviously feel they have nothing to lose…

By now, I hope you have watched the video. And I hope you realize the grand irony that they actually feel they DO have something to lose. Despite being portrayed by actors, some of their sentiments ring true in the organizations that support the creation of these ads.

Taking the measure of this group, the National Organization for Marriage, it is clear that they are not too fond of redefining marriage. From earlier blog posts, I hope you know the definition has already changed according to the world’s most reputable dictionary. This is a big deal in some circles apparently.

The “California doctor” who would have to choose between her “faith and her job” because of legalization of same-sex marriage… happiness for thousands of couples… needs to grow up and realize life is bigger than high school or fake doctor college. The fact that this ad even exists is a good testament to our Constitution. They get to exercise their rights to free speech, now it’s my turn.

My right to happiness is a freedom, no, a promise from our Founders, as laid down by the Declaration of Independence. Though not codified into law, it has been the abiding principle of the courts for over two centuries. The case of Miranda v. Arizona legalized interracial marriage. Why are you not campaigning against this case? It redefined marriage as it was known before the ruling.

But those cases had to do with a man and a woman; the traditional family unit. Which can, and historically has, included multiple women, underage girls, serial rapists, and atheists. By the beliefs that would be imposed on a society because of one religion (i.e., that marriage is a union in the eyes of the Lord), atheists of any sexual orientation should be forbidden the right to marry because of their lifestyle.

I am being persecuted because of my lifestyle. Who I love, or rather even how I love, is not a danger or a “storm” to heterosexuals. If this “storm” spoken about so passionately about in the advertisement linked is like any other storm, there’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The entire premise of a pot of gold is a metaphor for better circumstances than the ones before the storm. For gays and lesbians, we can only aspire for a full blown “storm.” We need this tumult. Our rights are nonnegotiable. No organization has the right to fly into the eye of our storm and sit there, throwing rocks when malcontent that the nation is evolving around them.

This storm is a rallying point, not a divisive war for our nation. Gay rights are heterosexual rights. The full benefits of marriage stop with gays and lesbians. How long is it until some radical group reinstates the law prior to Miranda v. Arizona? Chipping away at the law is no way to gain respect. The belief that anyone is immune from activist judges, whom Organization must fear above all else, is silly.

I write “activist judges” with some hesitation since there is a widespread belief that judges with compassion is a bad thing. The fact that 75% of the states that currently recognize same-sex marriage have done so under rulings of the court, I’m a fan of activist judges. All judges are activists! Their entire job is to ensure liberty and justice for all, not to put limitations on them.

The measure of our judges is in line with our expectations of the country. The measure of organizations like this come up short with progress and hope. It is time to rise above our differences and recognize that the last great discriminated group needs to join the adults at the table. We are not second-class, we are not a threat to family values, we are an extension of the family because we come from straight couples.

In short, there is no calm before the storm. We’re living the storm. Spend money on better projects, like HIV/AIDS prevention. Campaigns like this need to realize that living in accordance to their subjective morality probably isn’t good national policy.

Be good,


Will