Political Irony

Florida became the 36th state to legalize gay marriage yesterday. That means that 70% of Americans live in a state where same-sex couples can marry, and marry they did.

While a story like this isn’t ironic anymore, that in itself is what is ironic about it. Yes, there are a few people in Florida who are upset about it (one Court Clerk shut down the courthouse chapel so that no marriage ceremonies – gay or straight – could be performed), but most people are either happy about the change, or more interestingly, don’t care.

Gay marriage is now overwhelmingly legal in the US, and the world didn’t end. In fact, in the end, it has become a non-story. As it should be. The government has no interest in regulating what has become a personal decision with no meaningful negative societal consequences.