After the dust from the presidential election cleared, us sane straight folks looked around for the gay unicorns on our arc of Hope and Change, they were no where to be found. Prop 8 in California, Prop 102 in Arizona, and Florida Amendment 2 — all opposing gay marriage — all passed in state elections. I think that, just like the 2004 election, most of us with brains hadn’t worried too much about these initiatives passing because, like Bush, they seemed too retarded for people to actually vote for. Again, we were wrong.
I did a lot of research on line to try to figure out why anyone would support this kind of legislature. The argument seems to be “Gay marriage undermines the value of marriage”. That makes no sense. How does one person’s marriage reflect or define the quality or meaning of someone else’s? I mean, do people opposed to gay marriage also equally oppose marriage between criminals? Mentally challenged people? Celebrities? Are they ok with any “undermining” those types of marriages might do? You know what it is? CRAZY. And bigotted.
And that’s the real truth — there IS no rational argument against gay marriage. It is biggotry, plain and simple. It is dirty and ugly and anyone who supported any of these propositions should be ashamed of themselves. I don’t care if you’re my friend, my family, or my fan. If you support this, Fuck You. I can’t even be funny about this — it makes me sick.
Prop 8 goes against everything that the United States of American was founded on. This country was supposed to be a haven where people could pursue life liberty and happiness. Everybody. Not just white people, not just straight people.
The up side is that the gays are fucking OVER it now, big time. There have been Prop 8 protests all over the country over the past week. 104 retired military leaders (many of them gays and lesbians) just signed a statement calling for an end to the military’s “don’t ask-don’t tell” policy — pushing to allow gay military personnel to serve openly. It seems that the gay community here in the US is not going to take it anymore. Good.
This last election was a wake up call — a reminder of what America is capable of when we work for change, and that there is still a lot of ugliness that needs changing. Yes we can.
YES! Nicely put.
I’m confused as to why these states put this issue as a public referendum. Why don’t they just deal with it in the legislature like they do for 99% of all other issues? Now the problem is that this anti-gay marriage stuff has the nominal stamp of democracy. What to do, what to do …
Eliza, I wish I was your best gay. I’ve been steeped in reading commentary on all of this anti gay-marriage bullshit and to see this from you, well, it warms the depths of my heart. I’m training now to get myself into a career of gay rights activism and I am so thankful that you put your statement out there and posted those links. Thank you. Honestly. And if you ever need a best gay from western PA, I’m your man.
I feel that gay marriage is inevitable in the same way womens rights were inevitable, all we are doing is delaying that day. Why? Does anybody really believe that living near a same sex couple will turn the neighborhood sour? This is not a disease and it is not contagious. And who is to say that marriage is not already a failing system? I for one never plan to marry. Do not get me wrong there is a woman I want to spend my life with but we are not planning on “legally” marrying ever. The divorce rate is ridiculous and religions flawed and people believe in the craziest crap.…like same sex marriage being wrong.
Thats my piece anyways this article says it all for me http://newstrain.com/2008/11/07/244/
I live in California, and I can’t tell you how dissapointed I am in the California voters. I heard one Republican strategist claim he hopes the California Supreme court DOES overturn it, just so it doesn’t go to the US Supreme Court.
He is basically saying he KNOWS it’s illegal, but hey, screw the constitution.
A flyer went out the day before the election showing Obama with a few select quotes, taken out of context, suggestion he supported Prop. 8, which he publicly did not. It was sent to African Americans.
I like to believe, and I hope I’m right, that the punks behing Prop. 8 just ran a more effective campaign. No matter how dirty, underhanded, disgusting, misleading, and wrong it was… it was effective.
I hold hope that California voters are not the people this legislation shows… I hope.
Bravo, Eliza.
Too many people hide behind that “just don’t call it marriage ’cause that will hurt my marriage” bullshit. Either that or the “but the children will be exposed to it!” line. Because, you know, once we gays get our hands on a marriage license, the first thing we do is have sex in a preschool.
I’m so amazed that California, as part of a country that is trillions of dollars in debt, can pay millions to build a high-speed railway, pay millions to rebuild children’s hospitals, and pay for chickens to live in more comfortable cages, but can’t afford to give away FREE rights.
We essentially gave rights to chickens and took them away from people. This is wrong.
you said it.
I’ll tell you what undermines marriage. Child molesters who get married, have kids, and then assault them. Where is the outcry about THEIR effect on the ‘sanctity of marriage’?
Here, here.
Sorry — if you link to propagandist bullshit I’m not going to pass it on.
Anyone who argues that “they are not accepting the will of the majority” is an asshole. The same kind of asshole who owned slaves and voted for the Nazi party. In this case — as in MANY in history — the majority is wrong.
Right before reading this, I had been looking at Blacknright’s blog. Wow that was depressing. But seeing this makes me feel so happy. It’s nice to know that some straight people feel as you do. Thank you, Eliza, from the bottom of my heart.
If the gay community is not allowed to marry, not allowed to have children then why should they pay taxes for building schools. Why aren’t they allowed the same privileges at work and get to randomly leave early or take school holidays off as many parents do. My wife and I have chosen not to have children, do we undermine the church since we are not being fruitful and multiplying. The thing is no one is telling me I can’t marry or raise a child while asking me to pay equal if not more (no child tax credits) for the people that do. I don’t know what is wrong with this country. They want to push everything back (gay rights, abortion etc) thinking the box will stay closed after it’s been open. The world evolves. Of course we are talking about people who probably don’t believe in evolution.
Sorry to rant, I’m on massive pain killers.
http://graphjam.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/gaymarriage.gif
Well said Eliza!
I’m married and you know what threatens my marriage the most? People who would deny other adults the right to marry. Because if they can do it to gay people based on a few lines in a very old book, they can do it to anyone they want.
Right on, Sistah!
I love hearing the truth put so clearly…
As a married (43 friggin’ years!) heterosexual, I say the only thing that threatens my marriage is me or my husband… or death. I am REALLY tired of religious groups trying to run everybody’s life with their bigoted, small-minded, concrete-thinking, fearful, hateful (I could go on…) agendas. If they actually believed their bibles, korans, etc., they would stone adulterers, sleep with their daughters, own slaves… Oh yeah… I forgot about all those god-fearing sects that are still doing all that.
And you wondered what I would do after Obama was elected? I’m getting out my big rainbow.
You are a child of my heart.
In my recent post I came to the same conclusion; there is no rational reason to ban gay marriage, it all ends up ‘justified’ by bigotry.
Just read your official gay marriage rant. Nice. Very raw. I have been discussing the issue with people extensively, those who voted for and against Prop 8 here in California. Ultimately I think that most non-religious heterosexuals are on board but a traditional approach to religion from Christianity to Scientology still stands between these Americans and their rights and dignity. Sadly.
I too believe that can change. I remain optomistic that if we address the fears of those standing inside that idealogical fortress with vision and grace we can redraw the political borders and leave the truly embittered and hateful alone in the minority.
Thanks for posting this…and good to be back in touch
I’m less drugged today, but I just read that Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt of The Hills infamy had a secret ceremony. If anything destroys the fabric of marriage, I thinks that’s it.
This just appeared, it’s cool: http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/c0cf508ff8/prop-8-the-musical-starring-jack-black-john-c-reilly-and-many-more-from-fod-team-jack-black-craig-robinson-john-c-reilly-and-rashida-jones
My partner and I just got married in Connecticut, where it IS legal. Anyway, last week we were chatting with the parking ticket lady who works outside of my job. We see her every day and always talk to her for a few minutes. We told her we had gotten married – know what she said???? She said she doesn’t believe in gay marriage because it “interferes with her spiritual relationship with her husband”. what the fuck does that even MEAN??? She also said, regarding all of the protesting for gay rights, that instead of protesting we should “go out and fight for the children”. wtf?? I’m not racist, but this woman is black – did black people obtain rights by going out and fighting “for the children”?? fuck no. They fought for their own rights. Just like we are now. dkfjdlkjflsd she pissed me OFF.
Wow, Christine, that must be the in-thing. I was researching to get the latest on legal/political process contesting the validity of Prop 8 (the fight continues) and a member of my family called. When they asked me what I was up to I told them “Nothing…just fighting for gay rights”. They got really quiet. Then said “Can’t you just fight for children’s rights instead?”
Next time you see that lady, tell her you ARE fighting for the children. Because you are.
Congratulations on your recent vows!
You are a very smart person!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2335666/posts
California guy wants to put another Protection of Marriage act on the 2010 state elections that would outlaw divorce.
People should be able to marry who they want.