Will Ferrell and Diane Savino on Equal Rights

Over the past week the country has been preoccupied with two cases before the Supreme Court regarding the equal rights of gays and lesbians to wed. In the first case, the Court is considering a challenge to Proposition 8, the California Constitutional Amendment which eliminates the right of same-sex couples to marry; and in the second case, the court is hearing a challenge to DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) that authorized states not to recognize same-sex marriages.

Historically, we have treated people unfairly (i.e. people of color, women, children, the handicapped, the accused) but we also have a long history in which we recognized the error of our ways using a court system that rectified an injustice after a painful process that pitted those who don’t want change against those who stood up and said “this is wrong; we shouldn’t treat people this way.” So, this past week when both sides were fighting for air time trying to garner public support for their position and the Supreme Court seemed in great discomfort taking on a politically charged issue that should reaffirm our belief in equality, I found two posts on Facebook particularly enlightening and entertaining.

The first is a seven minute speech by Diane Savino, a NY State Senator, who stood up at the New York State Assembly in 2009 before a vote on same-sex marriage legislation. The legislation was defeated at the time but eventually passed in 2011. Savino’s seven minute speech is worth listening to as she speaks with knowledge and conviction in her unshakable belief that we are all entitled to be treated equally. Savino’s words are as true today as they were when she first spoke them 4 years ago. To watch and listen to her short speech, click here.

With all the seriousness this week, we also looked to our nation’s comedians to break the ice and add some humor to the polarizing issues. Will Ferrell, ironically made one of the most poignant statements this week when he tweeted:

I feel so blessed that the government protects my wife and me from the dangers of gay marriage so we can safely go buy some assault weapons.

Well said. Bravo Will Ferrell and Bravo Diane Savino. Your eloquence stands out in a world full of chatter.