It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default. — J.K. Rowling
New York residents Kitty Lambert and her partner Cheryl wanted to get married, so they went to the Clerk’s office and asked for a marriage license. A group of people also went with them to protest the state’s recent defeat of a bill that would grant gays and lesbians the right to marry.
With news cameras rolling, Kitty then turned to the crowd and asked for any male who would be willing to get married to her. A gay man named Ed stepped forward and volunteered.
Kitty’s point in approaching the City Clerk for a marriage license is that there is no religious basis for marriage, and it serves only as a legally binding contract in our society. Instead of being offered the ability to receive a license with her long-term partner, she was able to secure a license with a virtual stranger, strictly based on their gender. (source)
Kitty and Ed say they will not actually marry until they are allowed to with the people they truly love (and actually know). Because it should be about commitment and partnership, not gender. Brava, Kitty!
She scoffed at every kiss, every sweet show of closeness and intimacy on screen. Exclamations of disgust drooled out the corners of her mouth as if she forgot to swallow a bite of food. Sexuality was shocking, and even a hint of it was met with “Ugh, why did they have to show that?” and “It was a great scene until that happened.” I stewed in my seat, sometimes replying with simple explanations why love is beautiful and married people showing affection is wonderful and normal. She would have none of it.
I’m shocked by how sheltered and closed-off some of my friends are to the real world. Was I ever so afraid of honest, sweet intimacy that I would jeer and shy away at the most innocent hint of it in a PG-13 movie? Yes, I’m sure I was. But why? Why is healthy, loving sexuality a taboo? I can’t answer this, but it bothers me.
What is your temperament? I prefer using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (the free online versions, anyway) to explain my personality. I used MyPersonality.info to take two quick tests: the Myers-Briggs and the Multiple Intelligences.
I am very much an ENFP. I’ve been that type since the first time I took the test in high school. I love that the type is called The Advocate! Here’s what the site says about me:
ENFPs are introspective, values-oriented, inspiring, social and extremely expressive. They actively send their thoughts and ideas out into the world as a way to bring attention to what they feel to be important, which often has to do with ethics and current events. ENFPs are natural advocates, attracting people to themselves and their cause with excellent people skills, warmth, energy and positivity. ENFPs are described as creative, resourceful, assertive, spontaneous, life-loving, charismatic, passionate and experimental.
I mean, hello? this is why I have a blog about atheism! I also greatly value words, communication, and interaction with others–hence my Intelligences ratings. I think the Musical bit is just because I memorize melodies and lyrics easily and because I often have songs stuck in my head and can hold a tune. I only wish I could play an instrument to make that Intelligence feel less like a sham .
What about you? Do you already know what type you are?
Who do you have in your corner to cheer for you, encourage you, and kick you in the butt when you need it? Who makes up your support system? Do you have different people for different issues or areas of your life? Who can you talk to about family issues and not religious? For example, do you get relationship advice from someone who could never give you advice about work problems?
For example, I could only think of one or two people in my personal acquaintance whom I can call up and vent to or dish juicy tales to about the parts of me that are both dirty-minded & atheist (trust me, they aren’t the same part, but they make a nice Venn diagram). One of my confidants is my step-sister and the other is a Christian friend (You heard me right).
I am so grateful to have at least a few people who can understand me and respect me when I let those parts show in full color. Since I keep my loud-mouthed anti-religious rants confined mostly to the internet, a good face-to-face discussion is a balm to type-weary fingers. The crass part of me is just kept under wraps to keep old ladies and naive friends from gasping and blushing all the livelong day. I can be a proper, ladylike individual if it’s appropriate, don’t worry, Miss Manners.
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