Today, there are still those who oppose this step towards equality.
Most arguments seem to centre on the religious. This would be one of the
occasions where I recall Shylock’s words in the Merchant of Venice:
I am a Jew.
Hath not a Jew eyes?
Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions;
fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same
diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and
summer as a Christian is?
If you prick us do we not bleed?
If you tickle us do we not laugh?
If you poison us do we not die?
Could the word Jew be
replaced with Homosexual? Could Christian be replaced with Heterosexual? Should
both be replaced with Human?
Last year, Stephen Fry's documentary, Out There, on the extremes of homophobic feelings around the world, proved
uncomfortable viewing. Thankfully, we are a country which does not sentence
people to death for same sex relationships. But should ignorance and
prejudice excuse the bigoted?
I had skipped over the possibility of watching Our Gay Wedding: The Musical
I’m not much of a fan of musicals and without knowing the
facts, it sounded a bit tacky – which is always an individual interpretation.
Then, when I stumbled upon a slice of Benjamin Till
and Nathan Taylor’s full-on promotion of the programme, I was intrigued. And,
when I watched their marriage, I was entertained.
It was a cheesy, slick, happy, humorous,
poignant, camp and an undeniably gay union and celebration. I think it's a
fantastic record of a marriage that was about equality, choice and love.
The thing that touched me most was the obvious, overwhelming love. The
love that was visible between Ben and Nathan and the love that the congregation
felt for them both.
I still remain uneasy though and I think
Andrew Pierce explains how I feel, better than I can.
Nevertheless, what now? Well, the
following was said at our wedding:
I believe that that says it all ... Congratulations to EVERY
Happy Couple!
