A reader writes:
I’m sure you saw this, but just in case. The interplay between the Virginia plaintiffs and the court clerk who opposed them is wonderful. Here’s the link to the story on the local TV station. Money quote:
Norfolk Clerk George Schaefer denied London and Bostic a marriage license a year ago. But on Monday, Schaefer was there congraulating them along with the couple’s attorneys and close friends.
“Thank you so much. It was a pleasure suing you,” said London. “I enjoyed being sued,” Schaefer replied. “I don’t think [Schaefer] ever took it personally,” said London.
“No, and neither did we. I mean everyone was doing their jobs. They were fulfilling the roles they were required to fulfill by the laws of the state. And that’s what they did. And no where along the line, and I try to be clear about this, has anyone been disrespectful. And even those that opposed us, they didn’t attack us, they attacked the issue,” said Bostic.
Those notes of grace have been sorely missing from the national opponents and some supporters. Just once it would be nice to read that Tony Perkins or Brian Brown said something like: “While we are disappointed in the ruling/vote of the legislature/election outcome, we wish the couples who will be getting marriage licenses well and hope they find as much joy in their unions as we have in ours.” Too much to ask, it would seem.
There has been bitterness and anger in this long debate. But what I’d highlight would be the grace of so many, the determination not to make this a battle between “perverts” and “bigots” on both sides, the conversations that did not end in shouting matches, and the peaceful interplay of public opinion, state legislatures and courts that have helped move us toward a different reality. Some will never give up – either in prosecuting and discriminating against those rightly and legitimately exercising their religious liberty or in continuing to demonize and stigmatize so many gay fellow-citizens and human beings. But they have not defined this battle; and they must not define its resolution.
The Dish 