tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012109.post3527554353522534957..comments2023-10-14T08:05:51.183-07:00Comments on see how we almost fly: Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662927122733057638noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012109.post-7101544354408908232010-09-16T22:51:02.505-07:002010-09-16T22:51:02.505-07:00That's a really interesting point. What you s...That's a really interesting point. What you say about the patriarchy is true. And yet. And yet. I wish you could have seen my friend E this morning. Over a week after her wedding and she still hasn't come down yet. She's glowing like the sun, with a car trunk full of leftover wine, and a stack of thank you notes to write. The ritual was transformative for her. it was everything she dreamed it would be and more. Would it have changed anything spiritually if it had been legally binding>? I don't know. Elizabeth Gilbert who wrote Eat, Pray, Love and has since written a book called Committed about marriage says that gays and lesbians are refurbishing the antiquated old institution, dusting it off, making it new.Alisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03662927122733057638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012109.post-34236865449878282902010-09-16T18:46:57.656-07:002010-09-16T18:46:57.656-07:00anyone who chooses to enter into a legal marriage ...anyone who chooses to enter into a legal marriage is warmly welcome to do so, in my worldview. But I have to say that I don't quite get why gays, or straights, see marriage as such a desirable institution. I get commitment to love, commitment to partnering. . . but the legal institution of marriage -- the state cannot legislate spiritual commitment, can it? -- legal marriage is rooted in male patriarchal property rights. Gosh, not much more than 100 years ago, women were chattel. And in marriage, a woman was owned by her hsuband and her children became his chattel. I don't get why gays want to join that club.<br /><br />I get filing joint tax returns, inheritance rights, making health care decisions, health insurance.<br /><br />I don't get the marriage part, esp. when it is rooted in ecclessiastical law. And marriage in our common law legal tradition is very very definitely rooted in ecclessiastical law that gave women no legal standing. Marriage entered our common law to clarify male property rights. . . it sprang from spiritual to legal. Marriage, in my opinion, is all about the dominator culture.<br /><br />But if any two people love each other and seek the imprimatur of the social institution to feel more secure or whatever about their commitment to one another, truly I do not begrudge them this validation.<br /><br />I just don't get why gays, esp. lesbians, want into the patriachy in this way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012109.post-62955050313846682202010-09-14T10:18:16.538-07:002010-09-14T10:18:16.538-07:00i am glad you did not change the name of this blog...i am glad you did not change the name of this blog from "see how we almost fly" to something else. this title is very telling with poignant meaning...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012109.post-87022083825656062152010-09-12T19:08:12.801-07:002010-09-12T19:08:12.801-07:00thanks for posting this poetry-in- motion relation...thanks for posting this poetry-in- motion relationship story. there is hope. i am crying...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012109.post-31385508973109755202010-09-11T10:58:37.295-07:002010-09-11T10:58:37.295-07:00I actually do think that gay marriage "threat...I actually do think that gay marriage "threatens" heterosexual marriage--just because it sets the bar so damn high! My gay and lesbian married friends have demonstrated so much devotion and integrity and courage in their relationships that they make the rest of us look a little lazy sometimes...but I'm happy for the inspiration!Alisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03662927122733057638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012109.post-33833218126090822282010-09-11T04:16:02.580-07:002010-09-11T04:16:02.580-07:00To say nothing of UNCONSTITUTIONAL and barbaric an...To say nothing of UNCONSTITUTIONAL and barbaric and prejudiced and homophobicAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012109.post-52001906473208972222010-09-10T11:57:37.702-07:002010-09-10T11:57:37.702-07:00Very well said, Allison. The very idea of denying...Very well said, Allison. The very idea of denying any couple the right the marry, regardless of your personal conviction, just seems impertinent.David Shearerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14624954470014936977noreply@blogger.com