This is going to be a short diary, because there really isn't that much to say. Twelve-year-old Matthew Lannon really says it all.
As you may or may not know, the Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee held hearings last night on a bill that would make marriage equality the law of the land in Rhode Island, bringing the state into line with the rest of New England. The hearings lasted until 5:00 AM. There was lots and lots of testimony. But the person who stole the show was a sixth-grader.
Matthew, who has two moms, gave stunning testimony before the committee, delivering the clearest, concisest, most logical case for marriage equality you could ask for from a twelve-year-old. I don't have a transcript, but here's the money quote:
If there's one thing you don't mess with in life, it's love. My parents and all the other gay and lesbian people here want to be happy, just like you. All they want is to be treated fairly. But unlike most of you, they have to come again here year after year and explain over and over why their love is equal to yours. This year, you have the opportunity to change that. I say, choose love.
You really do need to watch the whole thing. Trust me, you'll feel much better about the world after watching this. Here it is:
Isn't that incredible?
Oh, by the way, in case you're wondering--here's a lineup of the people who showed up to protest Matthew's mothers' right to marry: