Yup, its because we don't like you

The state of Utah has declared that since the Supremes put same-sex marriages on hold all state services related to same-sex couples are also on hold. This is not a case where the state is saying if you're married, we'll treat you as married. Ari Ezra Waldman of Towleroad explains why that is unjust. Timothy Kincaid of Box Turtle Bulletin says that this demonstrates that the ban on same-sex marriages was only because of animus towards gay people. And passing laws based on only animus does not please the Supremes.

A commenter thinks part of this might be the state telling the 10th Circuit: We told you there would be harm to gay couples if you didn't issue a stay. You didn't believe us. So now there is.



Rob Tisinai of Box Turtle Bulletin went poking around in the blog The Thinking Housewife (no direct link from me!). This appears to be the articulate person's guide to ultra-conservative Catholic views (they're rather suspicious of Francis and are not sure he deserves the title of Pope). Tisinai presents the case of Charles, who is safely ensconced in a suburban, white, hetero, conservative (with one lefty exception) social circle. He is horrified that the lefties wants to invite a gay couple into their midst. Charles feels that their wish to be included is an act of aggression that would take the group into the abyss.

Tisinai confirms that Charles will feel threatened. He concludes with:

It’s time for proponents of the anti-gay agenda simply to give up, admit defeat, be honest with themselves and change their own minds. They’re already admitting that direct contact with gay people is a threat to their beliefs. They’re already admitting that openness and truth are a danger to their cause. Once you’ve come that far, folks, it’s only the tiniest and most honest of steps to admitting you’re just plain wrong.

There's a new opera to celebrate at the end of the month. It is Brokeback Mountain, the story by Annie Proulx that was made into a movie by Ang Lee that many consider was robbed of its Oscar for Best Picture. Proulx wrote the libretto for the opera and Charles Wuorinen wrote the music. I've heard of him but can't say I know his music. The opera will be premiered by Teatro Real in Madrid. It appears the opera will be played for a couple weeks in rotation with Tristan und Isolda of Wagner, another tale of forbidden love.

I hear some grumbling that one of America's many gay composers should have been given the chance to compose this opera. Alas, Aaron Copland has been dead for 23 years and stopped composing 30 years before that. As I said I don't know much about Wuorinen, so I looked him up. I'm pleased to discover he is gay and married to his longtime partner.