“If you’re straight, then why do you care so much about gay marriage rights?”

This is a question I am asked far too often.  Honestly, I find it somewhat unsettling that so many people find this concept so difficult to grasp.

The answer is quite simple.  I care about gay marriage rights because I care about human rights.  In our modern society, no one should have to struggle for the right to be treated with kindness, fairness, and respect.  No one should have to suffer the indignity of having their rights denied or stripped away because of people’s stubborn adherence to ridiculously outdated dogma.  The fact that this happens to anyone infuriates me.

Same-sex marriage isn’t a “gay issue”, because there’s simply no such thing as a gay or straight issue.  When the most basic rights are denied to any group of people, we all bear the burden as a society.  Whether or not you condone homosexuality is not the issue, as I don’t think anyone is asking for your approval.  They are simply asking that you grant them the same basic rights that you take for granted.

Of course, many people who ask this question do so as a form of attack.  They attempt to silence straight advocates of gay rights by calling their sexuality into question.  Sadly, this tactic works far too often.  Personally, I don’t care.  If you want to “accuse” me of being gay, then be my guest.  You’re free to think whatever you want.  Despite what you may think, it’s not offensive to me in any way.

So I just want to implore all of you in-the-closet straight supporters of gay rights out there… Don’t be silenced by a bunch of ignorant fools.  Don’t tell yourself that it doesn’t affect you so it’s not your problem.  Take a stand for your family, friends, and coworkers who are forced to fight for their most basic rights.  Only by standing up for one another can we hope to ever achieve a better future.

I should add one more point… I know I said that I don’t care if people think I’m gay.  There is, however, one exception.  If you happen to be a thoughtful, intelligent woman who is into opinionated atheist bloggers in their mid thirties… I AM STRAIGHT!!!!! ;)