We're tied up in knots about gay people tying the knot.
The election is over, voters approved Proposition 8, and gay people are prevented from legally marrying in California.
But they refuse to be bridesmaids at heterosexual-only weddings.
Gay people are fighting intolerance with intolerance. They stayed largely in the closet in an election campaign that was about them – but waged with ads largely devoid of their images. And now they are out.
They are flexing their muscle, a little late for Election 2008, but not too late to underscore their unwillingness to retreat on the right to marry, no matter what the vote results say.
It made national news this week when the artistic director of Sacramento's California Musical Theatre resigned under pressure after his $1,000 donation to the "Yes on 8" campaign was made public.
Scott Eckern was following his Mormon beliefs about what constitutes traditional marriage, and that was fine until his donation was "outed" by gay rights advocates. Artists, including a Tony Award-winning composer, threatened to boycott the California Musical Theatre after learning of Eckern's donation.
When he quit, there were screams that his First Amendment rights had been violated. That's a bogus argument.
We're all protected from government restrictions on our freedom of speech and expression. No one stopped Eckern from donating and expressing his views.
But we often forget (when it suits us) that what we say with that freedom can have consequences.
From a political standpoint, Eckern was right to make his donation. From a business standpoint, he was terribly reckless for a man in musical theater for 25 years.
He was messing with his livelihood and with the livelihood of every person drawing a paycheck at the California Musical Theatre. Had Eckern stayed, his theater would have endured lasting problems attracting talent not keen on his views.
Is that disturbing? Yes. Is it reality? Yes. And please don't act as if such things don't happen in other walks of life.
I know priests who hate that the Catholic Church so staunchly opposes gay marriage. They don't speak out because they fear losing their jobs.
Last month, a Fresno priest announced he was gay and asked his parishioners to vote against Proposition 8. He was removed from his post.
It's ironic, isn't it? The Catholic Church has crushed dissension over Proposition 8 within its ranks. And now, the gay community has crushed dissension as well.
It proves again that in the city of Sacramento, coming out against gay marriage is dangerous politically. Gay leaders have the clout to strike back.
Still, the question remains: Is this the best way to persuade a majority of voters to support gay marriage?
Potential votes can be lost when beliefs – and hearts – harden like stone.
Call The Bee's Marcos Bretón, (916) 321-1096.
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