Gay Marriage Spanish Style

Dearest readers, fans, loved ones,

I apologize for my absence. I was away in Sunny, (now) Socialist (thanks to Spain's foine looking José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero), Spain, screening my documentary La memoria es vaga. While I was there, I had the pleasure of witnessing the legalization of gay marriage, something sadly foreign to our own U.S. of A. You know you are screwed when the country that brought you the inquisition is ahead of you on civil rights. But, as Spain's (recovering fascist) Partido Popular explains it, those who oppose gay marriage "aren't anti-gay. We're Pro-Marriage." This noble not at all contradictory statement can be applied to several situations. In fact, I've often found myself saying "I'm not anti-black. I'm pro-disenfranchisement." "I'm not anti-woman. I'm pro-stoning women to death." "I'm not anti-disabled people. I'm pro-repealing the Americans with Disabilities Act." I'm sure you've all found yourselves saying the same things.

While in Spain, I visited the Senora with whom I had stayed when I was a student in Spain. She herself has an interesting political orientation. One of my fondest memories is arriving at my senora's house years ago during my study abroad where I was greeted by a signed framed photograph of Francisco Franco (God bless his soul). During this visit, my senora updated me on her new and exciting life as a rich person who helps the poor: "I go to the church. I help the immigrants. They're generally good immigrants, good Ecuadorian immigrants. Occasionally a dishonest Muslim tries to weasel his way in there." While my senora was happy about her new found vocation as a charity giver, she was less than happy that she would have to miss the anti-gay rally taking place in Madrid. Coincidentally, she shares the nuanced position of the Partido Popular. She explained to me: "It's not that I'm not anti-gay. I'm pro-family." When I asked her why she coulnd't attend the rally, she told me she had to go to a wedding." In an attempt to cheer her up, I offered the following silver lining: "Well at least you'll be defending the family by going to a wedding." "You're right Catalina," she rejoiced. "That's true!" And I smiled as I saw my non-gay hating, family loving beam with happiness.