The WTS is already in the uncomfortable position of “facing its own bigotry”, Phizzy. The state of New York, home base for WTS world headquarters, sanctioned same-sex marriage in July 2011. Two cases dealing with this issue are now pending before the Supreme Court of the United States. Many expect that SCOTUS will annul the Defense of Marriage Act, which denies federal benefits to legally married same-sex couples, and will strike down the state of California’s ban against same-sex marriage as well. Some think SCOTUS might go so far as to end all such bans in the United States.
The vote to grant marriage equality in Britain’s House of Commons must have come as a shock to the WTS. Not only did the measure pass, but it did so in an overwhelming fashion. And while more than thirty states have outlawed same-sex marriage in this country, some are reconsidering this. The Illinois legislature is expected to legalize same-sex marriage this year. New Jersey will likely do the same, either by its legislature overriding a gubernatorial veto or through a state-wide referendum. My home state of Colorado will allow civil unions this year and now there is talk of rescinding the provision in the state constitution which outlaws same-sex marriage.
The waves of change are lapping on the Society’s doorstep. I’m sure that we will see some statement in print and/or The Watchtower denouncing this development as being Satan-inspired and one more proof of the imminent destruction of the world. Well, the WTS can rant and rave all it wants. Same-sex marriage will eventually be legal throughout the United States one way or the other. That victory won’t change the Society’s teaching on this topic nor end its homophobic attitude, but it might give LGBT Witnesses one more reason to leave the cult behind for good and all.
Quendi