It's nearly 2013, yet some people can't seem to stop living in the past. And by past I mean 2012. Same-sex marriage is about to become legal in Maryland, but discrimination trumps equality and apparently, income. Specifically, the owner of Discover Annapolis Tours has decided to forgo $50,000 a year because his "Christian convictions" somehow make him believe that icky gay people getting hitched will somehow affect straight couples. Or something.
He'd rather shut down a source of income and avoid legal hot water (and legal gay married people) than allow any loving couple-- gay or straight-- to ride on his Straight Love and Lifelong Monogamous Commitment Only wedding trolley cars. Waving good-bye to revenue works better for him than allowing married gays and lesbians to enjoy a wedded bliss jaunt on his anti-gay rights, anti-civil rights wedding vehicle.
Via the L.A. Times:
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A company whose old-fashioned trolleys are iconic in the city's wedding scene has abandoned the nuptial industry rather than serve same-sex couples. [...]
While most wedding businesses across the country have embraced the chance to serve same-sex couples, a small minority has struggled to balance religious beliefs against business interests.
Frank Schubert, the political strategist who ran campaigns against same-sex marriage in Maryland and three other states, said, "The law doesn't protect people of faith. It simply doesn't."
Protect them from what exactly? Gay cooties? Same-sex couples' magic ability to abruptly turn opposite sex partners gay?
Discover Annapolis Tours owner Matt Grubbs:
"The law exempts my minister from doing same-sex weddings, and the Knights of Columbus don't have to rent out their hall for a gay wedding reception, but somehow my religious convictions don't count for anything."
Don't be silly. Your religious convictions count for a lot! Like seeing some people as less equal than others, f'rinstance.
Prospective client Chris Belkot responded to Grubbs:
"It is your right to run your business any way you see fit, but let's be honest here, you drive a trolley up and down a street. Not exactly God's work."
Amen.
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