Via the San Antonio Express-News:
Support for same-sex marriage has surged from 35 percent in 1999 to 53 percent in 2011, according to Pew Research Center polls.
About a year and a half ago, I was discussing gay marriage rights with a Republican friend.
“Nope,” he said. “No way. Never happen in my America.”
I told him the story of Bill Flanigan. When Bill’s partner, Robert, was dying in the University of Maryland’s Shock Trauma Center, Bill was denied the right to be at Robert’s bedside because the pair weren’t legally “family.”
I told him the story of Kelly Glossip. When his partner, Dennis, was killed in a traffic accident on Christmas Day, Kelly was denied access to spousal benefits because — despite their having been partners for fifteen years — the Missouri State Highway Patrol considered Dennis to be “single.”
I told him the story of a friend of ours, whose partner suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. Shortly after the funeral, the parents of the deceased partner broke into the couple’s mutually-owned home and stripped it of “everything that belonged to our son.” They felt this was justified because, well, “they weren’t married or anything.”
After telling these stories, I asked, “Surely you must agree that people like me and Clyde deserve the legal right to provide for the health and welfare of those we love the most?”
He shook his head. “Nope. I can’t support gay marriage at all. And here’s why: America’s a democracy. Majority rules. And the majority of Americans are simply not in favor of gay marriage.”
Now that 53% of Americans favor same-sex marriage rights, I wonder if he’s changed his mind?
"Majority rules" was not a good a good defense from your Republican friend. Majority rules would've kept the abolishment of slavery, women's suffrage, adoption of civil rights, etc. from ever happening because the majority of citizens didn't want these things. Sometimes things have to be done simply because it's the right thing to do rather than what's popular.