Of Bus Sightings and Thrones

Writing at policymic.com, Ethan Case brought up issues of solidarity between those seeking the same-gender freedom to marry and those seeking the consanguineous freedom to marry. It involves SPOILERS of the "Dark Wings, Dark Words" episode of Game of Thrones.

The question is, did wrong Jaime as pro-gay hurt gay marriage? (Thanks for a FME reader for pointing me to this writing.)

But, after about 30 seconds, a revelation struck me ... Jaime's line isn't out of context at all. In fact, Jaime Lannister is the ONLY character on the show who could make that statement and have it actually be relevant to the show's plot. Why? Because almost all of the events of Game of Thrones  are sparked by Jaime being caught in an incestuous relationship with his twin sister.

It's even more directly addressed in the books, but Jaime and his twin sister are truly in love. It isn't merely sexual for them. In that 30 seconds I spent fuming about the unwanted injection of liberalism in my weekly dose of sex and brutality, I realized that Jaime was showing empathy for Renly's situation of forbidden love, because he identified with him, having a forbidden love of his own.

There is no doubt the writers were thinking of this when they wrote that line for him.  They are extremely detail oriented, and there are constantly instances of small snippets of conversation from previous seasons subtly reemerging in later episodes.

However, in attempting to show solidarity and acceptance of homosexuality and gay marriage, while also advancing the story and giving Jaime more dimension, the writers have inadvertently strengthened a very conservative argument against gay marriage.

This is where I remind people that the response to bigots when they say "What's next" or "But gay marriage will lead to..." is to calmly ask this question...

What is wrong with letting consenting adults be together?

The bigot won't be able to give a good answer, because there is no good answer. There are only reasons why they personally wouldn't want a gay/lesbian relationship or a consanguineous relationship, not why anybody else should be denied their rights. Instead of throwing other people under the bus and joining with the bigots in ridiculing the love lives and marriages of others, we should stand up for every adult's right to share love, sex, residence, and marriage with any and all consenting adults. This is not a hypothetical. There are people who are in loving relationships right now who are denied their rights, most of whom have to hide their love. Standing up for a freedom to marry is good. Standing up for full marriage equality is better.