The Supreme Court, the highest court in the Kingdom, has ruled that everyone, regardless of sexual preference, has the right to marry. This is not an extra right. With this decision, the same rights of marriage between a man and a woman now apply equally to marriages between individuals of the same sex. It eliminates institutionalized discrimination in our country based on sexual preference. It marks the culmination of the struggle for equality, a triumph for emancipation, equal rights, and justice.
This long struggle for emancipation is akin to the fights led by Dr. Dòktor for black people and women's suffrage. Who can forget Frater Radulphus, a Catholic, saying, "Black men are dubious, remember women," and Hamelberg, a Protestant, who said if black men vote, "cannibalism and sexual relations between humans and beasts will follow."
Today, just like the ignorance of yesterday, there are those who claim that if same-sex marriage is accepted, people will marry animals. Certain political parties— including those of Dòktor— are leading a fight under the guise of religion without moral compass, without scruples, against emancipation. Taxpayers should not continue to provide subsidies and millionaire tax exemptions to these organizations. They must stay far from our constitution and judiciary and address criminal acts like pedophilia.
What happened today is a display of political cowardice. They preferred not to regulate equal rights themselves but let the Court, if it has the guts, make the decision. This opens the way for politicians and churches to cry out that "Sodom and Gomorrah have entered into our streets."
The verdict does not eliminate all hate campaigns. Masses will continue to focus on their poisonous gospel, but it is a good step. The return on investment that radical Christians hoped for from their lapdogs in Fort and Parliament, who received money from the congregation, did not prosper.
The verdict is a triumph of justice over evil, of love over hatred. Congratulations to all who believe in emancipation and equal rights. Congratulations to the LGBTQ+ community.
Alex David Rosaria (53) is a freelance consultant active in Asia & Pacific. He is a former Member of Parliament, Minister of Economic Affairs, State Secretary of Finance and UN Implementation Officer in Africa and Central America. He’s from Curaçao and has a MBA from the University of Iowa. (USA).
