The Kids Are Alright

Is it just me, or does there seem to be cauldron of repressed homophobia cunningly being disguised as ‘concern’ among some MPs?  Concern - 2013’s version of bigotry.

 I understand that social progression is concept lost on some people; that equal rights for gay men and women seem like a deluded fairytale and that’s all it should be – cause let’s face it, them gays will get bored of marriage soon enough; fickle creatures that they are.

Even though the gay marriage bill leisurely strolled through the House of Commons, being passed quite comfortably, there are still those that either voted against it or abstained. Personally I think abstaining is cowardly. I don’t believe in this ‘on the fence’ malarkey. You've had decades to form an opinion, pick a side.

Since its flamboyant conception, the gay marriage bill has sparked mixed reactions from a lot of people. The idea of a man marrying another man completely repaints this age-long image of what the union of marriage should be. Well, it’s 2013. It’s about time we moved away from that image and realized that the very foundations of normality are being reshaped and redefined, whether you’re on board or not.

It’s argued that if we allow homosexuals to marry, a lot of upset will be caused. Yes, it likely will provoke angry reactions from the more archaic-minded creatures of our society, as well as the prehistoric members of the Conservative party, but that argument can be slain quite simply: Do you not think that we, the  LGBT society, were a little ‘upset’ whilst we went through decades of prejudice and segregation? Society is progressing; so pack your bags, get on the train and enjoy the ride or take your dinosaur-behinds back the past where they belong.

Something else goes hand-in-hand with the gay marriage debate, and that’s the idea of gay couples raising children. There’s a fair amount of scaremongering emerging from the mouths of some politicians in regards to this. David Jones, the adorable Welsh Sectary/stand-up comedian, recently express his belief that gay couples “Cannot provide a warm and safe environment” in which to raise children.  That’s a fine move right there, David, playing that card.

I don’t understand why this fear is still used as an attempt to stop gay rights? The idea of gay parents is no longer a novelty. I’ll admit that it is a relatively new phenomenon, but its sweeping western society.  The standard family configuration has changed; same-sex households are common in America. Yet the mention of a child having gay parents still provokes social and political outrage. We are a slave to this idea of normality. Heterosexual families are composed of adopted children, step-children and the like – yet no one points the finger and cites the bible at them. Not to mention the countless cases of neglect and child abuse in hetro-household that seems to go overlooked. I’m sure that’s a more pressing matter.

Gay couples have more than earned the right to be both married and parents, so why is this prejudice still continuing? I’m tired of hearing same-sex parents being called ‘abominations’, ‘jokes’ or worse being described as a front for pedophilia. Why do these ugly stereotypes still continue to linger? Going by the statistics, if I were a child and was given the choice I’d opt for gay parents – not because I think they would provide any better an upbringing, but because their track record is a lot less colourful than the heterosexual parents. Will this change in time? Maybe; but if you don’t give us a chance you’ll never find out.  Every household goes through its ups and downs, hetro-and-homo alike. Marriage and family are about commitment, loyalty, respect and love. Just because the gender of the parents is the same, doesn't give them a handicapped.  

"I'm too old for this sh*t" - Pope Benedict

Following the recent announcement that Pope Benedict is resigning, theories are beginning to pile up as to why he has decided to hang up his mitre and hand over the keys to the Popemobile.

Well, this is truly a monumental event; one I suspect will likely pull a Harry Houdini in the Church’s history books. This resignation has left flocks of Catholics puzzled, whilst the rest of us, for we are a cynical bunch, have unleashed a catalogue of ‘reasons why.’

The official reasons cited by Benedict stated that his resignation was due to ill health and therefore his ability to his job was compromised. Although, and call me cynical, the whole thing smells slightly off to me. The church has been battered with allocations of childish abuse and corruption as well as a banquet of other blunders.  After cleaning up a constantly growing mess, is it any wonder Benny’s health has taken a turn for the worse? If I had to deal with as much indiscretions and accusations as his holiness does, I’d be booking an appointment with Dr. God and pleading for a sick note.

Perhaps this decision was some form of deal? Resign and ‘we’ shall grant you immunity and you will avoid prosecution; but prosecution from whom? There are multiple enemies frantically battering at the Vatican’s door; it really was only a matter of time before one of them broke through.

There is still a mass amount of irked woman that are sick of the Church’s chauvinism. The not-so-subtle shuffling of abusive priests around Germany, or as I like to call it ‘hide the peado.’  The child abuse victims in the USA whose complaints were somewhat overlooked.  Perhaps members of the church have grown tired of the restriction, rules and beliefs they’re obligated to live-by. “No condoms”, “Accidental pregnancy? Tough, keep your baby!” “And where were you on Sunday?”

Maybe it’s none of the above; perhaps Benedict’s age, or the Easter Bunny, has finally started gnawing away at his sanity. Wouldn't it be somewhat hilarious if his resignation was forced after he professed his belief in equality, fairies and Father Christmas? Whilst insisting that Tuesday would be a better Holy day.

Any the end of the day though this entire event is likely to have a horrid aftermath, one that’ll linger unwanted for months yet, out of respect, everyone will pretend to care – much like a bad tasting red wine that a relative gives you whilst visiting; you swirl it around your mouth, praying from the strength not to gag, and only swallow it out of politeness.

I wonder who will be next to fill the Vatican’s top job? Perhaps they should talk to their advertising and ask PR to conjure up a new campaign, turn this whole event into some elaborate reality TV show:  ‘The Vatican’s Next Top Pope.’ Contestants are given a colossal scandal to clean up, one that the public has seen time and time again, whilst battling the ticking hands of a clock that has God’s increasingly displeased  looking face plastered on it. Now that would help disperse the theories.

Whatever the outcome, I bet we shall still see the Pope-signal in the murky, cloudy sky next time a bleak set of events causes the Catholic Church trips over its own shoe laces.