Not long ago, America’s last civilian lighthouse keeper passed away. For six decades Frank Schubert maintained the beacons of New York Harbor for the safe passage of seafarers. Loved ones returned safely from sea, warm and dry because of his work. He witnessed many technological changes, some of which eventually made the lighthouse and its keeper obsolete.
I was clicking through various links reading this nostalgic story when I came upon an another Frank Schubert. He is the public affairs expert hired to lead the fight against gay marriage in California and Maine. I began to take an interest in his story. I found these two men shared more than a first and last name, they both also had obsolete jobs! GPS technology changed maritime navigation forever, satellites now allow each ship to safely navigate to port, no matter what the weather. There is no longer any practical use for the lighthouse or it’s fog horn.
The other Frank’s job is also obsolete because our society is on the fast track to becoming transparent. Propelled by the internet, the information explosion has brought us all closer together. It’s as if we are all living in glass houses. With less to cover up there is more understanding, less judgment and more curiosity. Being gay is no longer considered abnormal and marriage is beginning to be excepted by the masses. Take a look at this list of famous gay people; Socrates, Aristotle, Walt Whitman, Oscar Wilde, Gertrude Stein, Tennessee Williams, James Baldwin, Andy Warhol, Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, Eleanor Roosevelt, Harvey Milk, Melissa Etheridge, Elton John, Martina Navratilova, Greg Louganis, Billie Jean King, Rock Hudson, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Ellen DeGeneres. What do we have to fear?
According to a Newsweek poll, if a vote was taken on Nov 9th 2009 Americans, over 60, would vote to ban same sex marriage in every state. However that same poll showed American voters under 30 would pass the measure in 38 states. In some states over 70% of young people support gay marriage. The truth is that it is natural for some people to love someone of the same sex. It has been that way through all history. If the trend continues, the wait will not be long. In 10-15 years the young voters will have a clear majority.
That’s why I say there is no longer any practical use for Frank’s public affairs position, the job is obsolete. For all those that are Lighthouse keepers, we thank you for trying to protect us, there is great honor and respect in the work you have done. However, times have changed, and we kindly ask you to turn off the light of intolerance and turn off the horn of doom, climb down the lighthouse stairs and lock the door behind you.
As more people come down from their lighthouses, the fear will ebb, the fog will lift and the real opportunity will become obvious. When we treat people with respect, we also build trust. Trust is the key element to building prosperity and great countries. We have the clear opportunity to work together to become be the most prosperous society the world has ever known. It however, is not guaranteed, we will have to work hard to get “it” right. It all starts with making sure that “We the people, really does mean all the people.”
08/07/2010 Update – http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-08-06-schwarzenegger-same-sex-weddings_N.htm?csp=hf
