Two Minutes Towards History
When I renamed my column this past off-season, I lamented its title for weeks. CAMP Life seemed appropriate enough, as it afforded me the opportunity to explore a broader range of topics than I had in the past. Not until I decided on the topic for this issue was I completely confident I had made the right choice.
In life, there are rare moments that hold a place in our hearts for all our days. On Wednesday, March 30th, the two minutes I was given to speak in support of SB 30 (aka the Civil Union bill), before the Senate Administrative Services and Elections Committee in the state capital, was one of those moments.
With any luck, by the time these words become history in Volume 21, Number 3, so too will these words have become a part of history in the fight to legalize civil unions in Delaware.
My testimony follows. Whether gay, straight, young, old, single or coupled, it was intended to be a message about fairness, plain and simple. It was also intended to be a message that represents many of you. I hope you’ll agree.
Good afternoon Senators. My name is Chris Beagle and I’m a resident of Rehoboth Beach, where I work as a realtor and serve on the Board of Directors of CAMP Rehoboth. Along with numerous friends, with me today are my mother and stepfather who reside in Lewes. Their love and support knows no bounds.
Sitting with them is my partner, Eric. We met while in college at Penn State University, and on September 15th, we will celebrate 22 years of life together. Our relationship is the reason I stand before you today.
Eric and I are truly blessed. We have the love of family and friends, of neighbors and coworkers. But more than that, we are simply two people who’ve shared a loving, committed relationship for nearly half our lives...trying to make our way through life and grow old together, just as I suspect most of you hope to do.
There are many of us here who owe a debt of gratitude to those who’ve come before us, who fought the battle for equality long ago, when times were very different. In some cases, losing their lives for something they believed in with every fiber of their being. While much has changed, much remains the same.
Today, as an uncle, a godfather, a mentor to high school students, and, I’m proud to say, a role model to a younger generation of friends who look up to Eric and I, just as they would their own parents, I’m determined to stand up and fight for this moment…driven by the sense of responsibility I have for generations to come, regardless of their sexual orientation.
I was talking to a friend last week about these proceedings and my testimony. He and his girlfriend were over for dinner, and something he said kept coming back to me. “Years from now, people will look back at this time and think, what was the big deal? You both work. You both pay taxes. You’re more involved in the community than anyone I know. God forbid something tragic happened and one of you were faced with making an unimaginable life decision…why should I, the State, or anyone else, be able to deny you the right to make that decision?”
There are certainly those here who would like to answer that question for me, but I come before you, speaking on behalf of hundreds, if not thousands, of same-sex couples in this great State to ask you, why isn’t our relationship worthy of protection by the law?
Absolutely no one should be denied basic human rights simply because of whom they love and whom they share their life with!
I’d like to express my sincere appreciation to Governor Markell, Lieutenant Governor Denn, and those members of the General Assembly who’ve already pledged their support to SB 30. It’s encouraging to know there are elected officials who recognize and respect the magnitude of what this legislation means to citizens like Eric and I. There are many of us. And we are not alone.
With great respect and conviction, I encourage you to pass SB 30. Thank you.
For me, there were many memories from that special day. I was honored to have been included in the group of designated speakers, along with Steve Elkins, Casey Goold, and Rick Moore, among others.
But one memory will likely linger longer than most. It’s the one of the many people who showed up to support, encourage and thank those of us who participated. Seeing tears of pride and hope in the eyes of people of all ages, from all walks of life, was truly an inspiring spectacle. Partners, parents, friends and neighbors, all present in a unified request for fairness and equality.
Before this issue is picked up by a single reader, SB30 will likely have been voted upon by the Delaware Senate. Shortly thereafter, the House of Representatives will cast its decision. Suffice it to say, it’s my sincere hope that by that point, we’ll finally be able to speak of this moment in the past tense, as a victory, and history will have been made.
Chris Beagle, a realtor in Rehoboth and former mortgage loan officer, serves on the Board of CAMP Rehoboth. Email Chris Beagle. chrisbeagle@prugallo.com.