Everyday Editor on the Gay Marriage Debate (in pictures)

Stew Rieckman gets it 100% correct in this thoughtful piece on dicsussion generated by a picture (see right) in the Northwestern.

He says:

So far, we have had one letter to the editor complaining about the picture. The reader asked what the benefit of running the picture was and suggested we apologize to the community among other observations. He did not object, however, to the second picture of a protester holding a sign that said, "Sodomy is a sin."

So why did we run the picture? Wasn't the story enough? Whether you are for or against gay marriages, it is important to talk about and understand the issue in terms of real people, not an abstract, philosophical debate topic. The picture was not lewd or graphic. It portrayed two people in love, who happen to be male.

Proponents of the constitutional ban on marriage will see the picture and register their disgust, seeing it as proof the referendum must pass. Opponents of the ban will see the picture and reaffirm their belief that gays should be able to get married in Wisconsin. The same picture can generate two different emotions. It may very well have broken stereotypes some people have had about gay couples.

No story or letter to the editor can convey the reality attached to the issue the way a picture can. The issue is about real people. The picture is about real people. How can we discuss gay marriage and not acknowledge the issue is about people who love each other?

The picture is that acknowledgment.The picture does not endorse gay marriage nor does it oppose gay marriage. It is a striking portrait that needs to be part of the debate.

Well Said Stew! Keep up the good work.