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This is a really bittersweet election-- Obama won, but so did the loathesome, cruel, discriminatory Proposition 8, which bans gay marriage in California. The legal status of thousands of married couples is now completely up in the air.
My hope is that the next four years will either let more Californians meet the married gay couples in their midst and see that they're not that scary after all, or, as is more likely, that the legal battle to divorce married couples against their will is going to be so mean and hateful that it will end up convincing those same Californians that it's wrong to force couples to divorce and also wrong to refuse them the right to marry. One way or another, I can't imagine not having a "reverse Proposition 8" proposal on the ballot four years from now. And I hope we've gained four years' worth of feelings of compassion and justice.
My hope is that the next four years will either let more Californians meet the married gay couples in their midst and see that they're not that scary after all, or, as is more likely, that the legal battle to divorce married couples against their will is going to be so mean and hateful that it will end up convincing those same Californians that it's wrong to force couples to divorce and also wrong to refuse them the right to marry. One way or another, I can't imagine not having a "reverse Proposition 8" proposal on the ballot four years from now. And I hope we've gained four years' worth of feelings of compassion and justice.
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I think we need to repeal tax-exemption for religious organizations that engage in lobbying and campaigning on civil legislative issues.
We also need an extensive "Mind Your Own Business" education push.
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I suspect that'll be a real help (she said, dryly).
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Fact is, some of the people who came out in droves to save all our asses are the same people that screwed us. In California, according to CNN exit polls, black voters went FOR prop 8 to the tune of 70%.
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It's insane to me that people have to be sold on not taking away rights. It's shameful and disgusting.
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Up here in Canada, I plan on writing my Member of Parliament saying that if the Prime Minister even thinks about re-opening the question of gay marriage I will come down on him like the fist of an angry God.
It couldn't hurt.
An honestly, HOW is divorcing people against their will protecting the sanctity of marriage?
EDIT: (just to clarify: We have gay marriage. In 2006 the PM said he wanted a free vote in the House of Commons to re-examine the issue. He has since recanted, but you can't be to careful.)
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Usually, I hear both sides of an arguement on these propositions, and I can say, "You may be right, I think I'll learn more about it." However, there was NOTHING on the 'Yes' side of Prop 8 I could even vaguely agree on. You are going to support discriminiation because you don't want your kids to know about gay marriage in school? So what? Since when IS the concept of marriage taught in schools? I spent 12 years in the CATHOLIC school system and not once was I taught anything about marriage.
Marriages should not be made because you got your girlfriend pregnant, because you want to get out of your parent's house, because you want a wedding, or because he/she makes a nice trophy - it should be made out of love, and that is all that should be required.
By the way, there is a church I drive by on the way home. I'm not sure what kind of church it is, but they had a HUGE banner on voting 'No' on Prop 8. Good for them.
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It sort of reminded me on our dependence on foreign oil. Now there's talk about California's dependence on foreign eggs.
It still struck me funny, but then again, I have an odd sense of humor.
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Add me to the "do not understand" list.
I have absolutely no idea why some people believe that I should think that making it possible for some other people to create a lifelong partnership based on love will threaten my lifelong partnership based on love ... .
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I just got back from having lunch with a friend whose lesbian mom living in CA voted for Prop 8. Between that and how many moronic initiatives my own state has passed in previous years, I don't see why most people should be let out without keepers.
But I am awfully pleased about Obama. And you were utterly awesome on fighting Prop 8, and that still rocks.
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But yes, hooray for Obama. What a relief.
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Lord, but this election has left me woozy.
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I still feel that we're moving forward. It's just going to take awhile and there will be more setbacks before we get there.
My partner of 13 years and I live in both Michigan and Ohio (because of kids and jobs). In the 2004 election, both Michigan and Ohio passed proposals similar to Prop 8. Some say that Ohio's proposition cost Kerry the election. It was devastating to us, but the aftermath seemed to help more than it hurt. A contrite Republican in Ohio tearfully apologized to us. And many people who had supported the proposition in Michigan were horrified when it actually affected the health insurance of state employees.
Having the support of so many straight people is heartening in a way that is almost impossible to convey. It makes it all bearable.
Thank you.