A recent article in the Morman Times by Orson Scott Card, the popular author of science fiction novels such as “Ender’s Game“, wrote about the continuing battle for state recognition of gay marriages. He states that same-sex marriages have been non-existent through all of human history:

“…it is absurd to claim that these constitutions require marriage to be defined in ways that were unthinkable through all of human history until the past 15 years. And it is offensive to expect us to believe this obvious fiction.”  - Orson Scott Card  [2]

This particular statement had a ring of familiarity because it’s something that I’ve heard before from others, in particular from the organization known as Focus on the Family:

“But there has never been a culture or society that made homosexual marriage part of its family model.”  - Glenn T. Stanton [3]

Yet it’s difficult to accept such remarks when there’s evidence that Native Americans have had just such relationships.  Alvar Nunez Cabeza De Vaca was a Spanish explorer who recorded this during his time in present day Florida.

“During the time that I was thus among these people I saw a devilish thing, and it is that I saw one man married to another, …” - Alvar Nunez Cabeza De Vaca, 1528-1536, among the Indians of Florida. [1]

Many of the records we have from Europeans make it clear that they felt the eradication of this accepted social behavior was necessary.  The imposition of their unique religious beliefs on other people was seen as a necessary objective, something their religion required of them.

“Among the women I saw some men dressed like women, with whom they go about regularly, never joining the men…there will be much to do when the Holy Faith and the Christian religion are established among them.” - Pedro Font, 1775-1776, regarding California natives. [1]

“The couple was caught in the act of committing the nefarious sin.  They were duly punished for this crime, but not with the severity it properly deserved… the layman answered that the Joya was his Wife!…almost every village has two or three.  But we place our trust in God and expect that these accursed people will disappear with the growth of the missions.  The abominable vice will be eliminated to the extent that the Catholic faith and all other virtues are firmly implanted there, for the glory of God and the benefit of those poor ignorants.” - Francisco Palou, 1777, St. Antonio, California. [1]

When I read Orson Scott Card’s declaration that he “will act to destroy that government and bring it down, so it can be replaced with a government that will respect and support marriage”[2], I feel rightfully afraid.  Since the establishment of European culture on this continent homosexuals have felt the sting of extermination.  If the historical brutality by the pious is any indication, I should have everything to fear for my acts of loving other men.

“This imagination so kindled the zeal of Vasco Nunez de Balboa, the Spanish captain who first discovered the South Sea, that he put a large number of them to death by setting wild dogs upon them, which those of his nation had used to destroy a large part of the Indians.” - Joseph Francois Lafitau, 1711-1717, America. [1]

Vasco Núñez de Balboa executing Native Americans for same-sex love. Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/17/Balboamurder.jpg

A most disturbing aspect of these statements is the continuing attempts by followers of religions to impose their beliefs on societies and people, an apparent inability for these  followers to live peacefully with others around them that do not share their religious derived disgust of same-sex love.  This is such a significant long-term battle that they are quite willing to attempt to rewrite history in their own vision.  This is a successful attempt to pull a curtain of ignorance over the public’s eyes, to make them believe a new “truth” fabricated so that religion may become the master over the innate desires of others.

“At present there is but one surviving berdache, … According to several informants, former agents have repeatedly tried to make him don male clothes, but the other Indians themselves protested against this, saying that it was against his nature.” - Robert Henry Lowie, 1907-1912 Social Life of the Crow Indians. [1]

“The union of a man and woman is the most eduring human institution, honoring — honored and encouraged in all cultures and by every religious faith.”  - President George W. Bush, 2004.  [4]

Sources:

[1]: “Gay American History: Lesbians and gay Men in the U.S.A” by Jonathan Katz, copyright 1976

[2]: State job is not to redefine Marriage by Orson Scott Card.

[3]: Defending Marriage: Debate-Tested Sound Bites by Glenn T. Stanton, Focus on the Family.

[4]: President Calls for Constitutional Amendment Protecting Marriage, Remarks by the President.