How fortunate all of us are today that we have the right to get out and vote. We have the right to make a huge choice—when there are so many things in life we cannot choose.We cannot choose our gender. We cannot choose the family into which we are born. We cannot choose our race. We cannot choose our body type.
And we cannot choose our sexual orientation.
I believe that each of us is born with our sexual preference already determined. It is biological. And just as we should not be discriminated against for our gender or race, we should not be discriminated against for being hetero or homosexual.
“Let them have civil unions,” some say. Even our Presidential candidates champion this. “Marriage was meant to be between a man and a woman.”
But that kind of thinking just reminds me of some past “meants.” Like “women were meant to stay home with their kids,” and “only white men were meant to vote.”
Taking away gay couples’ right to marriage and replacing it with the right to civil unions feels a lot like “separate but equal” to me. It is no better than telling African Americans that the drinking fountain next door to the one for the white folks is just as good. That the schools for the black kids are just as good. Separate but equal.
It breaks my heart that our generation has to wade through another civil rights movement. It breaks my heart that people are afraid.
But it will warm my heart today when I vote No on Prop 8.
(AND - I'm super pissed that Google AdSense is serving Yes on 8 ads to my blog. Bastards...)
18 comments:
Good for you and even more, thank you! I have friends waiting to get married so I'm hoping the best for them. I wish I could vote in Cali, but for now, my vote goes to the swing state of MO. -Jane
Well said. It's been interesting to me to see the arguments for Prop 8, and most have been smoke and mirrors. The fact that its proponents have had to use lies, half truths and misdirection to further their cause is telling. Fear is a powerful motivator, and the tens of millions of dollars backed by the-church-that-must-not-be-named is steeped in fear and lies.
It's been a daily part of my life for the last several months, even being in SLC. It's the number one topic in the local papers here, and it's driving a wedge, which is strange to me since our fine state (with the backing of said church) has built this discrimination into our constitution not once, but twice. Yes, it's in there twice just in case anyone was confused.
Since leaving said church, I've tried hard to remain neutral and not harbor bitterness for my experience with it. This whole fiasco has ended that battle for me. I'm bitter, and I have no problem admitting it. They will no longer get kind words from me in their defense based on the good they do. I've decided that no amount of good works compensates for even a single bad one.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
WORD.
It's hard to wrap my mind around the fact that in 2008 we have this issue with who "counts" and who doesn't. It's embarrassing, really.
Well said, PUMPKIN.
It's sad that you even have to write a blog about the issue and that it's even made it to a vote.
Ok, so I thought I could at least comment on this issue without crying but I'm getting teary eyed just typing out these words.... It BREAKS MY HEART that arguably the most progressive state in the US is having to vote on this issue when it is so clearly an initiative proposed through fear and discrimination. Why does it always require a fight to gain the recognition of rights that are inherent? I'm filled with nervous energy today as I wait for the results of California's propositions but I'm also filled with the understanding that same sex marriage will one day be legally recognized-- whether it happens today (which I hope it does) or at another time. Regardless of when, this will be yet another period of time that people will eventually remember as a struggle for civil rights that was successful. People will ALWAYS speak truth to power and that truth will ALWAYS ultimately win over ignorance, discrimination and fear.
AMEN, sister. I wish I lived in California so I could vote no on Prop 8!
nicely said! i vote no on 8!!! and for McCain (sorry...had to throw that in!!).
Nicely said! Thank you!
As I write this, Prop 8 is passing. I cannot begin to describe how disturbed I am that this state, this great, forward-looking, progressive state, is amending it's Constitution to take away the rights of a group of people.
It saddens me. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it will change by the time all the ballots are counted.
I have set here for several minutes trying to decide whether or not to post. I do not wish to argue. I have had many internal debates over Prop 8. I finally came to the conclusion that God created the institution of marriage, not government, therefore, God should be the only one who changes its definition. I voted Yes on Prop 8.
I guess I don't understand what this "traditional" marriage from "God" everyone defends. I assume that most people who say that have never really looked at Biblical marriage. It was a property issue with women treated as chattle and servants to their husbands. Marriage as we know it today is so far removed from any marriage described in the Bible because it has evolved. It's frustrating that those who benefit fro this evolution feel it's their duty to stop it now and exclude those who are different from them.
Thank you all for your comments.
Very well stated. I couldn't agree with you more. It's unfortunate that so many in your state feel it's their right to determine what's best for other, consenting adults. Seems to me like these people are running scared. I mean, seriously. What's so wrong with allowing gay marriage? How the eff is that going to dilute your very own marriage? I just don't get it.
Hmmm... "God created the institution of marriage" so only God has the right to change the definition but anonymous commenter on blog gets the right to change the constitution of a state to take rights away from other people that live in that state? Is that written in the Bible too and I just missed it? I heard once that the Lord uses good people and bad people use the Lord. I can only hope that people aren't denying what they feel in their heart to hide behind religious commentary. As a practicing Christian, it kills me that comments about God within the context of conversations about Prop 8 are made with the best of intentions and bring devestating results. It's no wonder religion creates atheism. PROP 8 IS A STATE MEASURE THAT DOES NOT MANDATE ANY OBLIGATORY ACTION TO ANY CHURCHES/RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS WITHIN CALIFORNIA. We are lucky enough to have seperation of church and state in this country. A right that allows anonymous commentators to worship God however s/he chooses. It is not up to her/him to decide how someone else worships and before our constitution is changed, it's not up to her/him to decide who gets to get married and who doesn't. It will be a very sad day when the constitution of California is altered to reflect a disruption in the seperation of church and state.
Another one of those things that makes me shake my head. Do we really believe that Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, and Bristol Palin are more adept at marriage than Rachel Maddow, Mary Cheney, or Tim Gunn??
It truly makes me sad that we still live in a time, where this is even an issue. Gay,straight, black or white - we all deserve to be treated the same way and have the same rights. Way to go for taking a stand.
For a country as advanced as ours, it is amazing how prehistoric we can be.
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