More upsetting to me than the turn-out of the presidential race, is the passage of California's prop 8 limiting marriage to only a select few citizens who the government deems "worthy", leaving the others to wallow in a perpetual state of sub-citizenry. The outcome of the presidential race was gonna suck regardless - 2 different "evils" but both just as ungood in their extremes. Sadly, until the voters in this country open their eyes - and their crayon boxes - and realize there are more colors out there than just red and blue, there's not going to be a big change in how things are done. But the issue of who is worthy to marry whom is a big thing. It harkens back to the racial bigotry that was so miserably and embarassingly prevelent in the past. I'd hoped that we, as a country, had moved past that. It breaks my heart that we haven't. It makes me so sad that the apparent - or at least most vocal - majority still feel the need to set themselves apart, to deny another human being something so basic as the desire to publicly and legally commit one's life to someone they love. It's akin to bullying - and a form of emotional abuse on a grand scale. It's the ugly kid in the neighborhood eating ice-cream in front of the other the little kids and taunting them with it, talking about how good the ice-cream is and how special he is because he gets to eat it all by himself and offering them an ice-cube to eat instead, telling them it's the same thing - it came out of the freezer and it's cold, close enough - and refusing to share the ice-cream no matter what. It's just plain stupid. If 2 adults love each other and want to commit to each other and want to be responsible for eath other and take the tax hit to be with each other, who really gives a rat's ass about their genders?
Now, I'm hoping that maybe the passage of this bill (and that of other similar bills in other states) is really a good thing in disguise. It's my hope that this whole issue ends up before the US Supreme Court and is overruled. I'm sure there's something in the constitution about "equal rights for all".
*runs off to look*
How sad. Yes, the phrase "all men are created equal" is there but the Equal Rights Amendment that was first written in 1921 and introduced to Congress in EVERY SINGLE SESSION since 1923 has still not been ratified giving women equal rights in this country. Guess that means only gay men stand a chance. Maybe.
4 Comments:
In our local paper this morning was the following letter. Don't get too excited at first - you must read the whole thing to get what the writer is trying to say:
Bittersweet election
Thank God we've made the gays realize that their relationships are not worthy of the word "marriage." We had to take away their ability to have their love blessed by their God, whatever that is. It certainly can't be the same as my God. My God tells me that only a man and a woman who believe in him are worthy enough to get married.
We still have more work to do. Atheists and agnostics have no God. My God says that is wrong and we must take away their rights to marry as well.
Hold on, now. Here's an idea! Let's take away marriage rights of Muslims and Jews, too! Eventually, they will all disappear, and we won't have to be concerned with any of them!
While we're waiting for that to happen, let's give them separate bathrooms and water fountains. I certainly don't want to drink after any of those people. This way, we can teach our children that we truly are the superior human beings in this world.
Hmm, maybe we should tattoo numbers on their forearms to identify them. What would Jesus do?
How can we take such a huge step forward to elect Barack Obama and stumble so far backward with Proposition 8? An election has never been so bittersweet.
— Paul E. Newman, Ventura
Obviously, I'm disheartened by the passage of Prop 8 - as well as the 3 other states that passed similar crap this time around. It will come, though, in time. Personally, I think "my" community is going about it backwards. I wish the focus was more on including discrimination against LGBT in the federal anti-discrimination laws. In my mind, that should be the first step. I'm always surprised at how many people believe it IS included already.
Tami,
I totally agree with you on this one. It's just anther form of discrimination. LGBT SHOULD have the same protections, rights, and privileges of any other group. Not only in marriage, but is all aspects of life. And, as you said, should be included in the laws. If any 2 adults are ready and willing to make that commitment, then I say "let them". I think it can only be good for the community. Why restrict it to 1 man and 1 woman. If they're going to restrict it, make the restriction 2 consenting adults. Prop 8 is no better than the garbage spouted by Mr Phelps. ( I refuse to call him Reverend)
The Universal Life Church motto is "Do what is right" If an LGBT couple want to get married, to make that commitment, then I think that's the right thing to do. I'm willing to perform the ceremony for what it is, a marriage of 2 loving, caring souls, with all the rights and privileges, and protections of any other marriage.
Love and miss you
I hope that California's passage of Prop 8 opens the door for court challenges to the U.S. Supreme Court. I'm sure they will find it discriminatory and make way for nation wide acceptance of all marriages. Hope so. Liberal Dems would probably get that through. They gotta hurry, though.
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