Last week, I wrote a column about the gay-lesbian pursuit to be fully added to the preamble of the United States that reads: "We the people of the United States in order to form a more perfect union."
It seems, based on the e-mail and phone messages I received, quite a few readers took exception with my mentioning the Civil Rights Movement and that the contemporary struggle of gays and lesbians was the unfinished business of civil rights.
I did want to share some of my favorites responses from last week's commentary:
"I read your articles everyday and you are so gay it's pathetic. But stop putting your nasty opinion in the paper because I'm sick of it. Don't start involving your gayness with blackness because you're not black. Men and women being married is not the same as YOU gays being married. You got all these rights now so leave it alone and stop putting your nasty opinion in the paper. I'm going to write the paper to let them know you're sick! You need to keep your gay (expletive) at home!"
This next one gets right to the point:
"Hey Byron, you gay (expletive) you! How in the hell are you going to preach homosexuality? What kind of church do you have? You're going straight to hell. You look like a closet (expletive) in the paper. Can't you think of other issues for black people besides supporting these (expletive) (expletive). God is going to strike you down, you (expletive) (expletive). You need to be feathered and tarred, you gay son of a (expletive)."
And for a theological take:
"Byron, what kind of bible do you use in your church? You better read Genesis and Romans instead of supporting (expletive) (expletive) (expletive). You're an (expletive). Are you gay? You're just one (expletive) in the community. Next time you should say, 'I support gay rights because I believe in (expletive) (expletive)!' "
This by no means is representative of everyone who does not share my support of same-gender marriage, but it is reflective of a visceral hate that cannot be ignored.
The mere assumption that I am "other" than what is accepted by the dominant culture opens the door to unbridled dehumanization. Like Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man," my humanity is hidden deeply under a shroud of hatred that justifies actions I suspect many of the authors of the aforementioned e-mails would otherwise condemn.
Beyond a fundamental disagreement, nothing short of my being relieved of my journalistic duties, or, in the extreme case, tarred and feathered would suffice.
What a cruel irony that homophobia, under the guise of sound religious doctrine can be articulated each Sunday from many pulpits across the country, but to suggest that equal protection under that law does not come with qualifiers brings calls for public flogging.
If there is any aspect to this unfortunate display of inhumanity that remains a mystery to me, those who expressed such hatred stand to lose nothing. They are not being asked to forfeit any rights already conferred. Nor are they being asked to alter their neanderthal theology.
Though not explicitly stated, the communication I received last week raises an interesting question: Why do I care? Why risk my "privilege" as a straight man in order to receive the diatribe traditionally reserved for gays and lesbians?
The answer is linked to my seemingly contradictory understanding of theology and the Constitution.
My theological understanding teaches me that we must err on the side of love; it is an inconvenient love that transcends what an individual may like or agree with.
My unwavering belief in the Constitution teaches me that we must support the principles that the Founders articulated beyond individual issues, which means the measure of one's belief in the Constitution cannot be limited to the issues we support.
In this case, my personal support for same-gender marriage is secondary to my unequivocal support for equal protection under the law.
Moreover, I am proud to have a position that puts me in the company of civil rights icons such as Rev. Joseph Lowery, Rep. John Lewis, and the late Coretta Scott King.
Byron Williams is an Oakland pastor and syndicated columnist. He is the author of Strip Mall Patriotism: Moral Reflections of the Iraq War. E-mail him at byron@byronspeaks.com or visit his website: byronspeaks.com