"Today's decision has been cast by the media as a victory for gay rights. What has been ignored, however, is the right of Oklahomans - and Americans in every state - to write their own laws and govern themselves as they see fit. Those rights have once again been trampled by an arrogant, out-of-control federal government that wants to substitute Oklahoma values with Washington, D.C. values." -- Governor Mary Fallin
Dear Governor Mary Fallin,
I re-introduced myself to you in an open letter I penned last September. I assume you might have a vague recollection.
I have been blessed enough to travel to amazing places. But, regardless of what new city I may see a sunset; Oklahoma's remains the most beautiful to me.
I never know where my work may take me. But, if I want to go to the home of my heart, nothing is up in the air. I'll be going to Oklahoma.
I applaud the Supreme Court's decision to let the rulings of appeals courts stand in regard to same-sex marriage bans. While your action last year told me that my heart (and tax dollars) were not welcome in my home state, the Supreme Court declared that you do not get to decide that I'm not equal in my birthplace.
In your statement regarding this, you lambasted the "out-of-control" federal government for overlooking the will of Oklahoma voters, who did vote to outlaw gay marriage 10 years ago. States' rights, you say, are being stomped by Washington D.C. arrogance, of which you were once a part.
Governor, you understand, that without the federal government taking the lead on the 19th amendment, women might not still be able to vote in some states, much less hold office. Was that "out-of-control?"
You can state that a majority of Oklahomans voted for a same-sex marriage ban in 2004 all you want. The fact is they did. However, the vast majority of Southerners supported the peculiar institution of slavery during the Civil War. That didn't make it right, did it? And their support doesn't make it any less over. If you will go on the record stating that the federal government is overreaching by striking down laws that create "separate, but equal" citizenry in individual states regarding marriage laws, will you now go on the record saying that Alabama should have been entitled to keep slaves because the majority supported it?
The federal government stepped in and saved many Oklahomans with 1937's New Deal. I know you are depending on elderly voters. I would love to hear you denounce that as an overreach. You are, after all, counting on senior citizens to turn out in your re-election bid. And while you are correct, "that decision has been cast by the media as a victory for gay rights." But more than a victory for gay rights it is a victory for so many whom have been told their love is wrong. It's a civil rights victory for the nearly 200,000 Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender people who live in the great state of Oklahoma.
This was a win. It was a win for anyone who believes in the golden rule. Within Christianity that rule is to treat others as you would like to be treated. Within America, that rule is that we all are created equal.
I don't condemn you for your divorce. I actually think it is cool that your first marriage proposal was at Hugh Hefner's Playboy Mansion.
Gov. Fallin, I can't wait to return home to Oklahoma and attend the weddings of many of my gay friends, or maybe someday the wedding of one of my two gay brothers. And maybe, just maybe, you will have come around and will officiate your first marriage that resembles equality. While denying political gain and campaign contributions but treating others as Jesus would have, with Love and Respect.
Love conquers all.
Today love won.