A Co-optive Tattoo

[bookslover]

My gay daughter's "partner" (they're "married," by the way) got a tattoo recently (is there a 20-something who doesn't have one these days?). It's on her arm and depicts an orange tree and orange blossoms prominently displayed. Apparently, it has something symbolic to do with marriage.

So I do a little research on orange blossoms and marriage. It turns out, according to the internet source I turned up, that the connection between the two goes back to ancient China. The orange blossoms represent (ahem) purity, chastity, and innocence. And, since orange trees are one of the few trees that produce blossoms and fruit simultaneously, the blossoms also represent fertility.

Since the last thing these two are is pure, chaste, or innocent, and since taking natural advantage of their female fertility in a straight marriage is the last thing on their minds, I think this gay woman's particular tattoo is wildly, even hilariously inappropriate.

Sadly, though, it's yet another way in which gays are co-opting traditions associated with straight marriage.

Sigh...

Oh, they've also formally adopted a four-year-old boy. This being California, it's not considered a big deal.

Double sigh...

 

[Herald]

Richard, may the Lord grant your daughter the repentance that leads to life. May he extend to you and your wife wisdom in how to act towards her and grace.

 

[Ivan]

I pray as Bill prays. I am becoming a stranger in my own land.

 

[Backwoods Presbyterian]

Richard, may the Lord grant your daughter the repentance that leads to life. May he extend to you and your wife wisdom in how to act towards her and grace.

 

[Jeffriesw]

Richard, may the Lord grant your daughter the repentance that leads to life. May he extend to you and your wife wisdom in how to act towards her and grace.

I also will keep Her in my Prayers.

As for the tattoo and it's meaning, I guess I would just lump it in with relativism. "if I want to call myself chaste and pure, don't tell me any different"

 

[Curt]

pagans acting like pagans. they need prayer as you do. I am praying with you and our brothers above.

 

[Ivan]

I pray as Bill prays. I am becoming a stranger in my own land.

Or perhaps I'm just strange.

 

[LawrenceU]

Richard, I can only imagine the ongoing heart ache you must endure. Be assured that I will be praying for your daughter's repentance. I will also be praying for you to have peace and wisdom.

 

[MarieP]

Praying for you, brother, and for your daughter and her partner. May Christ reveal to them the ways of the Lord and grant them both repentance and faith!