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WASHINGTON – Speaking in highly personal terms, a gay member of Congress on Tuesday challenged supporters of a constitutional ban on same-sex marriages, asking "who are we hurting" when homosexuals want to express the same emotional commitment as other Americans.
"All we are saying is, 'Please, can't we in our lives do this?'" said Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass. "When I go home from Tuesday's work and I choose because of my nature to associate with another man, how is that a problem for you? How does that hurt you?"
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Frank's appeal was unusual in Congress, where lawmakers clash vigorously on matters of politics and policy, but seldom refer to their personal lives – much less sexual orientation – in an attempt to influence legislation
That's a load of crap. Members of congress regularly bring up their person lives for all kinds of reasons. In fact, all of the people in support of the amendment keep bringing up what a threat gay marriage will be to their own marriage.
...For example, here's Cornyn:
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In an opening statement, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), presiding over the hearing as chairman of the subcommittee on constitutional law and a fervent supporter of banning gay marriage, dismissed as a "myth" the notion that "my marriage doesn't affect your marriage."
"Redefining marriage in a way that reduces it to a financial and legal relationship will only accelerate the deterioration of family life," Cornyn said.
What a weird-ass thing to say. Is Cornyn having marital problems? Is the thought that maybe, just maybe, he could go out and marry Mark Foley causing his family life to deteriorate? Is the thought of living la vida fabulosa so overwhelmingly tempting that unless this amendment passes right now he's going to leave his wife for some hot man-on-man action? If his family life is deteriorating, shouldn't he be home trying to patch things up instead of at the office trying to find new and exciting ways to enshrine bigotry in the constitution?
Tomorrow we'll all call Cornyn's office and express our sadness about his "deteriorating family life."