Good afternoon.
My name is Barry Klassel. I am the Humanist Chaplain at Rutgers University.
About a month ago, I received a political flyer in the mail that looked very much like those flyers we kept getting right before the election. It was from some organization like NJ Family First or something like that, I can’t remember. Did anyone receive something like that in the mail? Well the flyer said that I should speak out to save the traditional family by calling my legislators and the governor’s office and telling them I opposed the Marriage Equality Bill. Well, I’m not usually motivated to make such calls but the flyer had a way of really motivating me. So I went directly to the phone…..and I did the exact opposite of what they wanted me to do. I called my legislators and the Governor’s office and I told them how important it was to support the Marriage Equality Bill.
As a Humanist Chaplain and a wedding celebrant I’ve had the good fortune to have performed ceremonies in New Jersey for same gender couples who wanted it. And they’ve been lovely – full of beautiful words, humor and emotion. And it felt extra good to be doing something that I am certain was right. Humanists understand that morality comes from satisfying human needs and promoting human welfare. To put it simply: we believe we must recognize the inherent dignity and equal rights of all members of the human family.
But when I was in Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, a couple of years ago, as a guest at a wedding of one of my wife’s relatives to her long time partner, I felt I was attending something historic. When I witnessed those two women get married, entering into what we can legitimately call a marriage, I knew I was in a place where, for that moment, the promise of America became the reality of America. New Jersey should become such a place.
When two people make a formal and legal commitment to build a family and a future together, we should call it a marriage.
When they pledge to make a loving home for themselves and their children, we should call it a marriage.
When they set themselves apart from all others and commit to a lifetime of loyalty, we should call it a marriage.
When they exchange rings and binding promises, we should call it a marriage.
When they agree to walk side by side through sunlight and shadow, we should call it a marriage.
For unquestioned access to their loved ones in the hospital, we should call it a marriage.
For equal rights to health care, we should call it a marriage.
For their children, raised with love, we should call it a marriage.
For clarity of language, we should call it a marriage.
To strengthen all families, we should call it a marriage.
That’s how our side should be seen on this issue. And we should let everyone know it: We are pro-family. We are pro-children. We are pro-Marriage Equality.