Chris Christie Stops Homophobia In Its Tracks

Governor Chris Christie has vetoed the gay marriage bill in New Jersey. What does that say, really, about his character? Does it say anything?

Here's one way to interpret the news: 

I recently read an online article written by someone who self-defines as homosexual. I say self-define because, well, if gender is a social construct -- as we are so often told -- it follows that homosexuality is a social construct. But I digress. 

The article was about those who are gay and lesbian who oppose gay marriage. It may surprise you to know that such folks actually exist; it may further surprise you to learn that as many as 25% of gays and lesbians oppose same-sex marriage? Why would they do such a thing? 

If you listen closely to gay and lesbian critics of same-sex marriage, you might hear something like this: Gay marriage is just an attempt to sanitize gay relationships by those who are homophobic. That's right: the homophobes are those who support gay marriage. (I know, I know, it's all so confusing. But it's reality with which we deal here at Contratimes, and this is as real as real can get.)

Moreover, gays and lesbians who oppose gay marriage precisely do so because they want to self-define exactly what they believe qualifies as a morally and ontologically meaningful relationship. To some of these folks, the idea of "coupling" -- which is what the "monogamous" construct of gay marriage describes as the highest form of meaningful human attachment -- is itself repulsive and regressive, as it not only borrows from the straight world its ethos, but it relegates human interactions to the constraints of tradition: Go to school, get a job, meet someone, fall in love, and get married. This is entirely a straight construct, or so say those who wish to be free of all such constructs. And it is essentially homophobic: gay relationships can only be in their fullest sense authentic and real if marriage is achieved. 

It's akin to this: Gay marriage makes "honest" men out of, well, men; and honest women out of women. 

Hence, it is arguable that Gov. Chris Christie has thwarted homophobia in its worst form, i.e., legislation that actually institutionalizes homophobia. Does that not make him a hero? Perhaps. 

Fascinating, no? 

Anyhow, just something to think about. Not that anyone wants you to REALLY think about this stuff. Well, that's not entirely true. I want you to think about it -- deeply. 

Peace. 

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