An Answer to a Question

I was asked a question, in regard to the topic of the post below, gay marriage.

Why does it matter so much to me?

I am clearly a believer in free speech, so I will have my voice heard. I am a believer in equality. We must strive to be equal and not allow laws to demean this ideal.

And then there are the more personal reasons. First, I know what it is to be beaten down upon and censured because I am hearing impaired. Why would I perpetuate the wrongs done to me?

But more... my father has been off and on ill in some respect or another for the past 8 years. He has been to the hospital many times. Every time, my mother can walk in those doors and say, "My husband is back there. Please take me to him."

There are people not allowed to do this. People want to make this ultimate commitment to each other, the commitment to stand by each other through thick and thin, sickness and health. Yet they cannot stand by each other in sickness and it brings tears to my eyes.

It breaks my heart that we cannot be there for each other in our times of need. There are people who need to be there for each other in times of sickness and I need to support that.

Ultimately... the words of Martin Niemoller are applicable here.

First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the communists
and I did not speak out because I was not a communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.

Then they came for me
and by then there was no one left to speak out for me.