Anatomy of Love: It Happens All the Time in Heaven

January 19, 2010 at 11:52 am (Anatomy of Love, Relationship)
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It Happens All the Time in Heaven* 

It happens all the time in heaven,
And some day

It will begin to happen
Again on earth –

That men and women who are married,
And men and men who are
Lovers,

And women and women
Who give each other
Light,

Often will get down on their knees

And while so tenderly
Holding their lover’s hand,

With tears in their eyes,
Will sincerely speak, saying,

“My dear,
How can I be more loving to you;

How can I be more
Kind?”

It happens all the time in heaven, so why are we so afraid to let it happen here on earth?   

*poem by Hafiz, beloved Persian poet (1320-1389). Poem from The Subject Tonight is Love, translation by Daniel Ladinsky.

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photos by Starla J. King

(Note: this entry is the sixth in the “Anatomy of Love” blog series – a personal look at the experience and views of a Lesbian Mennonite navigating the unpredictable waters of non-traditional faith and love)

6 Comments

Anatomy of Love: Til Death Do Us Part

January 4, 2010 at 10:42 am (Anatomy of Love, Relationship, Uncategorized)
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Til death do us part… 

That phrase is a standard part of many American wedding vows, and I don’t doubt that each person who says it really means it.  In concept, at least. 

But what if you were literally risking death simply by loving?   

Nigeria, Iran, Yemen all have the death penalty for homosexuals.  Yes, the death penalty.  Uganda has an anti-homosexuality bill proposing life imprisonment or death for homosexual “offenders.”  

That reality is unfathomable to me … disturbing.  But here’s what really gets me: speculation has it that Americans helped fuel the Ugandan government’s anti-gay fire which resulted in the anti-homosexuality bill.  (see this article in today’s NY Times).  

As if it’s not enough for us to keep our fear in our own country, we have to go to other countries and spread the message of fear and hate?!?  

People, please… no matter what your view of homosexuality is — please don’t spread the hate.  

The NY times article says that these American visitors, “homosexuality experts,” discussed how “the gay movement is an evil institution” whose goal is “to defeat the marriage-based society and replace it with a culture of sexual promiscuity.” 

NO!  That is so NOT what “the gay movement” is about!   

It’s not about defeating anyone.  It’s not about promiscuity or subversive sexual trysts.  It’s not about replacing anything except hate and intolerance.  

It’s about Love.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.  And again.  Until one person then another person, and another… hears it.  It’s about Love.  Period. 

Like one European man said (see article) “It’s not homosexuality that is imported…It’s homophobia.”   

I’m begging you… please… don’t allow “til death do us part” be a punishment for love, a literal sentencing to death.  Let it be a phrase of joy and Love for *everyone.* 

 Whatever you do, big or small… please… let it be about Love. 


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text and photos by Starla J. King

(Note: this entry is the fifth in the “Anatomy of Love” blog series – a personal look at the experience of a Lesbian Mennonite navigating the unpredictable waters of non-traditional faith and love)

12 Comments

Anatomy of Love – Who gets to decide??

November 5, 2009 at 9:16 am (Anatomy of Love, Relationship, Uncategorized)
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“A thousand half-loves
must be forsaken to take
one whole heart home.” – Rumi

Some would say that I have no right to “take one whole heart home.”   That I deserve only an unfulfilled life of half-loves.

Just because I’m gay.

s&s

Me, and my "wife" Sandy (photo by Patti Burke)

Some would say that giving me the right to legally marry my same-sex partner of 13 years (yes, THIRTEEN) weakens the strength of not only their opposite-sex marriage but the entire institution of marriage.  See this blog post from Stand for Marriage Maine re: the threat my relationship poses to traditional same-sex marriage.

Wow, now *that* is giving my minority group a lot of power!   Rather ironic, isn’t it?

Yesterday Maine voters decided that they really weren’t ok with the  law passed by the state Legislature earlier this year — to legally allow same-sex marriage and the rights/protections going along with that. 

Some rejoiced.  Others wept.  (See this article  for further description of the reactions).

You know, my wish to legally marry my same-sex life partner (yes, partner FOR LIFE… legally recognized or not) is not about taking anything away from any one else’s relationship.  It’s not about trying to prove anything or trying to force my way of being on anyone else. 

It’s about knowing that if my partner ever needs someone to make medical decisions for her, I won’t be denied the chance to be her voice.

It’s about knowing that if something happens to me, the resources I leave behind won’t be taken away from the one who has supported and loved me for years and years.

It’s about giving our relationship a chance to extend beyond the emotional and into the practical.

So all I ask today, no matter what viewpoint you hold, is that we keep talking about this.  Not from a place of anger or judgment on either side but from a genuine desire to find those golden threads of understanding between all of us.

Because really, isn’t it still just about Love?

s&s-painting

When we were young (painting by Jill R. Wiebe-King)

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text and photos by Starla J. King

(Note: this entry is the second in the new “Anatomy of Love” blog series – a personal look at the experience of a Lesbian Mennonite navigating the unpredictable waters of non-traditional faith and love.  Click here for first post in the series.)

21 Comments

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