ALL SHE WANTS IS LOVE
BY
JULIANNE MALVEAUX
The Maryland Republican who wanted to be an Illinois Senator, Alan Keyes, talks about family values and Christian values all the time. So why did he kick his “queer liberal” daughter, Maya Marcel-Keyes out of his house and refuse to pay her college tuition. Maya Keyes had been so well taught in family values that she deferred her admission to Brown University to help him on his comedic campaign against now-Senator Barack Obama. Still, he severed ties with her because she is openly gay.
Keyes and his ilk say that the Bible expressly forbids homosexuality. They need to read Harvard Professor Peter J. Gomes’ 1996 masterpiece, The Good Book: Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart. Gomes acknowledges Biblical teaching on homosexuality, but notes that the Bible gives no more weight to homosexuality than it does to adultery, lying, stealing, killing and judging others. The ultimate Biblical teaching on human relations is to “love your neighbor as yourself”. Where is the love in the hateful speech that Alan Keyes focused on Mary Cheney, the lesbian daughter of Vice President Dick Cheney he described as a “selfish hedonist”? Where is the love, where are the family values, in his decision to put his own daughter out because of her sexuality.
Some say that “blood is thicker than water”, meaning that the bond of family ought to be unbreakable. In families, people “got each other’s back”, and while that does not suggest uncritical approval of any and all actions, it does embrace a recognition of connection. When I think “family”, I think of Free Frank, the slave ancestor of University of Texas professor Juliet Walker who purchased himself, then his spouse, then his children, and eventually several relatives as well. His commitment and tenacity, even in the face of an evil system, is one of the highest manifestations of family values. Would Alan Keyes as a slave, have left daughter Maya behind simply because she is gay? Does sexuality trump family values.
Maya Marcel-Keyes has landed on her feet. An attractive, articulate young woman, she had a featured role in a gay rights march just this week. The Point Foundation says it will help her with her Brown University tuition. She has landed on her feet, but without the safety net of her father’s love. For Alan Keyes to withhold it from her speaks volumes.
Keyes is not the only one. Too many people speak of family values, but offer said values only upon approval. Too many speak of Christianity without reflecting the nature of a Christ that offers unconditional love. Instead, they incorporate judgment and hostility into their version of Christianity. Too few understand the tenacity of Free Frank, who bought his family, or the open heart of Maya Keyes who, queer and all, is not too proud to say that all she wants is her daddy’s love.