California Will Not Stand For Discrimination
The campaign to oppose Proposition 8, which seeks to amend the California constitution to specifically deny same-sex couples the right to marry, will not concede that the proposition has passed despite the news reports that claim that it has passed. Here is the full text of the No on Prop 8 campaign’s statement regarding the votes cast in California last night:
Roughly 400,000 votes separate yes from no on Prop 8 – out of 10 million votes tallied. Based on turnout estimates reported yesterday, we expect that there are more than 3 million and possibly as many as 4 million absentee and provisional ballots yet to be counted. Given that fundamental rights are at stake, we must wait to hear from the Secretary of State tomorrow how many votes are yet to be counted as well as where they are from. It is clearly a very close election and we monitored the results all evening and this morning. As of this point, the election is too close to call. Because Prop 8 involves the sensitive matter of individual rights, we believe it is important to wait until we receive further information about the outcome.
I wholeheartedly agree, the count is too close to call without taking into account the absentee ballots that have been cast in this matter. Even still, citizens of California WILL NOT STAND for the legalization of discrimination in this State and have organized at least 2 big rallies to take place today to protest the campaign to strip Californian citizens of their rights. Here is the info for a rally to take place tonight in West Hollywood, CA:
Hundreds to Attend “No on Prop 8″ Rally in West Hollywood Tonight
WHAT: With nearly 4 million votes still to be counted and the Proposition 8 race too close to call, hundreds of people who support equality for all and who oppose the amendment of our constitution to discriminate against any group, will gather in West Hollywood tonight to show their support for the freedom of same-sex couples to marry.
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m.
WHO: Speakers include: Lorri L. Jean, CEO, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, John Duran, President, Equality California, Reverend Neil Thomas, Metropolitan Community Church, Rabbi Denise Eger, Congregation Kol Ami
WHERE: San Vicente Blvd., between Melrose Ave. and Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood, California
Additionally, I’ve received word that a candlelight vigil will take place on the steps of the State Capitol tonight … people interested in attending are requested to bring candles and as many people as they can.
If you are able, I urge all Californians to come out and stand united to oppose the attempts to STRIP CITIZENS OF THEIR RIGHTS. As we learned from last night’s election, change is possible and what was once believed inconceivable can become reality. GLBT citizens of the USA deserve to be treated like everyone else. While our country has made great strides in some respects (thank you President-elect Obama) we still have a long way to go … there is still much we need to fight for!
UPDATE: Here is a list of rallies that will be held in California tonight:
Los Angeles
7:00 p.m. | West Hollywood
Corner of Santa Monica Blvd and San Vicente Blvd
Sacramento
note location change
5 p.m. | Gay & Lesbian Center
1927 L St
San Diego
6:30 | The Center
3909 Centre Street
Co-sponsored by the Center, EQCA and HRC
San Francisco
6:30 | City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
[Source]
Tags: Proposition 8, Same-Sex Marriage
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November 5th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
I think it’s insane that we are now in 2008 with a newly elected African American President-elect and not all citizens have equal rights…SAY NO to Prop 8. I hope everyone in CA goes out tonight and rallies for this cause.
November 5th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
I don’t really see how 400,000 votes is too close to call.
November 5th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
When there is still 3-4 million to talley 400,000 isn’t much!! I agree, I hope something like this happens in AZ. Or I hope all these people who voted against can truly understand what it feels like to be discriminated against.
November 5th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I sincerely hope that President-elect Obama will address the bigotry – be it racial, socio-economical, sexual, or otherwise – that is still deeply entrenched and seldom addressed in many of the minority groups in the United States. We have made great strides in civil rights in this past election, but the road to justice and equality for all remains long and tortuous ahead all of us.
November 5th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
i can’t go cuz i have no way of getting there (plus its school nights…ugh) but GOOD LUCK TO ALL PROTESTORS THERE.
NO AMMENDMENT SHOULD BE PASSED WITH A 51% APPROVAL!!!!
November 5th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
I don’t understand why we can’t love/marry whoever we want. That being said, this was put to a vote, and the majority of people disagree. Sorry – can’t win them all. Let’s not be hypocritical now.
November 5th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
I hope the absentee votes will push the vote to the other side. Here in Florida, I’m embarassed to say our amendment to allow gay marriage was voted down. I hope CA can pull it off, maybe make way for us backward states to change in the future.
November 5th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
This election has been bittersweet — on the one hand, we’ve elected the first black president of the U.S. — an act that has shown how far we’ve come. On the otherhand, if this propositon passes, we’ll have taken 2 huge steps backwards! The absentee votes MUST be counted — this race is too close and to important.
November 5th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
I hardly see how it’s “fair” to pass something that only half of Californians believe in. I hope people go out and rally and show people just exactly what California stands for, equality for all!!
November 5th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
After Obama was elected, I was once again proud to say that the USA was my neighbour.
After the results of this- along with the results of Arizona Prop 102, Arkansas Initiative 1, and Florida Amendment 2- I’m not so sure I can still say that.
Isn’t the USA supposed to lead the way for civil rights?
We legalized same-sex marriage nationwide 3 years ago, and even earlier in some areas. Why are you so far behind?
Re: nota girl:
I don’t think this should have been put to a state-wide vote at all. The majority of people are not gay, therefore the proposition does not effect the majority.
Why are people allowed to vote on an issue that has NO effect on them?!
November 5th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Katie – well said, exactly what I was about to say to “Nola Girl”. I fail to see how a right granted to a portion of the population which DOES NOT EFFECT ANY OTHER PORTION OF THE POPULATION ADVERSELY should be put to a vote in which the entire population has a say.
I would be there to protest alongside, if I could (a bit of a trek from Canada, though!)
November 5th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
I’m really surprised that the vote was so close on Prop 8. Although I am extreamly happy that Obama will be President, I find it sad to see that we are FINALLY ready to break down the barriers of color but not those of sexual orientation.
It will be a battle for those protesting against “Prop8″ but I think Obama has just proven that equality is in reaching distance!
November 5th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
I can’t be there, but I’ll light a candle at my house to show my support.
November 5th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Keep the pressure on the Secretary of State to count all the provisional and absentee ballots (rumored to be up to 3 or 4 million!) !
Roughly 400,000 votes separate yes from no on Prop 8 – out of 10 million votes tallied.
Based on turnout estimates reported yesterday, we expect that there are more than 3 million and possibly as many as 4 million absentee and provisional ballots yet to be counted.
Tell them that you want ALL the proposition 8 votes counted!
Call today!
CA secretary of state:
(916) 657-2166,
or you can lodge a recorded complaint by calling 1-800-345-VOTE
November 5th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Katie – I don’t know why the majority of people disagree with this, but I’m not willing to tell them that their opinion (vote) doesn’t count. I don’t want to think about what that would make me. All I’m saying is its funny to hear people say that 51, 52, 53%…isn’t enough to be a majority. What would be enough? It was enough to get Obama elected without questions.
November 5th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
JenChunn, you took the words right out of my mouth. This is a painful reminder that discrimination still exists. I’m glad my man Obama is the president-elect but the results thus far on Prop 8 are disappointing. I’m not a California resident, what can I do to help?
November 5th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
If it does pass, move up to Canada… we do not discriminate, but accept. Unfortunately I cannot do anything from Toronto, but you have my support from afar!!
November 5th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
I am so surprised at the results of this, I was SURE that at least in California this would not pass by an overwhelming number of votes, where did all those anti-gay people in california come from?
November 5th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
tanya:
you can help by passing this information along and calling the CA secretary of state: (916) 657-2166, or you can lodge a recorded complaint by calling 1-800-345-VOTE
together, we can ALL make a difference – be the change that you want to see in this world! we have already made a great stride with obama as president-elect, but we still have a way to go… unfortunately, discrimination does not go away over night, but we CAN and WILL make a difference!!!
we just have to stand up and FIGHT!!!
:)
November 5th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
I can’t believe that after a majority of the American population vote for Change from a President, California can’t vote for basic equality. I hope something is done because Prop 8 is ridicules.
November 5th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
“Even still, citizens of California WILL NOT STAND for the legalization of discrimination in this State”
Except…. many, many, many citizens of California DID vote to outlaw gay marriage. Why is it that you discount, what is at this point, the majority vote?? Certainly every vote should and needs to be counted, but you do a disservice to democracy by discounting the majority just because YOU don’t agree with it.
November 5th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
I think all the Californians who voted YES on 8 should be ashamed of themselves. Take a long, hard look in the mirror. You voted FOR discrimination. You took rights AWAY from people. Go celebrate, you earned it.
And for all the “Christians” donating money to pass Prop 8, is that what Jesus would have done? I figure millions of dollars could feed a lot of people…maybe provide some healthcare…education?
November 5th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Nola girl- Of course no one can say that their vote doesn’t count, that would be more disturbing.
I just think that it should not have been put to a vote at all.
It’s like saying, “The constitution allows equal rights and freedoms for all people.. Unless of course you’re gay, then you’re rights are questionable, lets vote on it!”
November 5th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
thank you chiara c: I saw your post with said information but wasn’t sure if it pertained to California residents only. as you know, it’s not just a state’s issue but a civil rights issue. i’m giving them a piece of my mind!
November 5th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Here is some information on other community events going on tonight in California to support No on 8. To see the full, current list (including many smaller cities) visit http://www.noonprop8.com/events. See you there!
Los Angeles
7:00 p.m. | West Hollywood
Corner of Santa Monica Blvd and San Vicente Blvd
Sacramento
note location change
5 p.m. | Gay & Lesbian Center
1927 L St
San Diego
6:30 | The Center
3909 Centre Street
Co-sponsored by the Center, EQCA and HRC
San Francisco
6:30 | City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
November 5th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
If you love someone you should be able to marry them, it shouldn’t be something up for debate, it’s crap that it is.
November 5th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
I wish I could be there tonight to attend the no on prop 8 rally! This is really something that should have never been on the ballot, it should be a given right!
November 5th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
I bet a lot of people didn’t know exactly what they were voting for. How did it word it on the ballot? I am really surprised its this close, i thought it didn’t even have a chance of going through. Its ridiculous that this is even an issue. Gays are just people and they deserve every right any other American has and i don’t understand how everyone doesn’t see that.
November 5th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I’ll be at the hollywood event!! Anyone else going
November 5th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Re: Dusty: Not all “Christians” feel that way. I’m a preachers wife, and I believe that it’s not my (or the governments) place to tell people who they can or can’t marry. Don’t lump us all together, we’re not all hate mongers.
And, yes, I agree. Those millions of dollars could have been much better suited helping people as opposed to hurting others.
November 5th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
If it was the other way around (proposition defeated by only 400,000 votes), you wouldn’t hear a peep about it….the people voted no, it’s no.
November 5th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
re: manda:
I was only referring to the ones who donated to the YES on 8 campaign.
November 5th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
jo: give me a break! The republicans would be freaking the f*ck out, and you know it. In a state of 36 million people, 400 thousand is nothing. If this were the other way around, I’m sure they’d figure out how to un-count some of those votes.
November 5th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
People that voted yes on Prop 8 have an issue with two females or two males being bound by a religous santion called marriage. Typically, these people are not against gay and lesbian couples being bound by civil union. This is why we have advanced directives, living wills, durable power of atternies, and that you can file for health insurance benefits (granted you may have to dig deeper to find ones to fit your needs) for gay and lesbian couples.
November 5th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
re: Lynn
What other areas do you think those people would find it appropriate to practice “separate but equal?”
November 5th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
I voted yes, so what! I don’t agree with gay marriage. The bible says marriage is between a man and a woman. If it was meant for 2 men to marry, then they would be able to have babies. That’s why our world is so jacked up now. People are moving away from the CHRISTIAN foundations this country was built on! And being gay and being black is two different things. You are born black. You choose to be gay!
November 5th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
*Trent- I would really like to know the gay community’s stance regarding my argument*
Shanesha states the EXACT problem! MARRIAGE is a RELIGIOUS union. If the United States GOVERNMENT would enforce the guidelines of the constitution and keep a separation of church and state there would be no problem. The government should NOT recognize marriage or legally marry people at all. Gay marriage could then be decided on by the church. Married people should also not be given government tax benefits… that is DISCRIMINATION against people who have not chosen to marry, or found a soul mate.
November 5th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
People can be so full of hate it makes me ill.
I wish I could attend this…but being in Eastern Canada sort of dashes that…
My thoughts are with all those who are attending, those who are effected by this disgusting show of hatred, and those that like me, will certainly lose a lot of sleep and faith in humanity…
November 5th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
We DO NOT vote on Rights as Americans. That is all that has kept us from Mob Rule in this country. It will be over turned. IMagine if we voted to take away rights of blacks OR rights of Women to vote… it can not happen…an amendment to a constitution takes more than a voting majority AND with the call being so close….no court in this rule will uphold this…
It’ll be OVER before its begun.
November 5th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Shanesha:
Your country was NOT built on Christian values…it was built by the great thinkers and believers in the Enlightenment, which clearly follows the school of thought that while religion is fine and dandy, rational thought and equality are the important pieces to building a great nation.
November 5th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Shanesha:
I agree, don’t worry your not the only one. While I do not mind gay people, I do mind making it legal to marry. I for one don’t agree with it and it is not right in my religious views. For people to sit here and criticize other people who voted ‘yes’ for prop. 8 is so hypocritical. It was put to a vote & now people are mad at the outcome. You didn’t get the outcome you wanted, too bad. I didn’t get the outcome I wanted in the presidential election but there isn’t anything I can do about it, majority rules. Why just because of the ‘historical’ election has there all of a sudden been an uproar of wanting everything you want done your way. That’s what’s wrong with this country, this is why we will go down hill because people will complain no matter what is thrown in their face & then there will be no rules or regulations anymore.
November 5th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
I’m Canadian too, and I don’t agree with what our country has done. Marriage is between a man and a woman..plain and simple. You can have civil unions if you want, but leave church ceremonies and the word marriage out of it. We all know the minorities make the most noise, which is why I know if the situation was reversed, we wouldn’t see a recount of these votes or any further process. The suggestion would be damned.
November 5th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
OUR COUNTRY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO LISTEN TO YOUR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS!!!!!!
if you believe marriage is between a man and a woman then great! marry someone of the opposite sex! how will two people loving each other affect YOU?…boohoo i don’t like things different from my religion. its called TOLERANCE! love everyone.
November 5th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
For all those people out there who really want to have gay marriage be legal….well, I guess you will just have to get it on the ballot again. It will be a battle to legalize gay marriage. But I really think it will happen one day. It just didn’t happen this time. Also, I don’t think that very many people who voted “yes” are hateful or want to discriminate, I think they have a strong belief that marriage is between man and woman only, and they would feel like hypocrites voting contrary to what their Bible, mentors, and spiritual community say is right. You must realize that each person is entitled to their vote and their beliefs. Also, I think it is very unfair and dramatic to compare this situation to the black civil rights issues.
November 5th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
There is a belief that if the majority has voted for something it must be right. Prop 8 should never have been a ballot vote in the first place. This is when a higher court is needed to make the decisions from a legal and human civil rights point of view and not have final decisions clouded by selective religious beliefs or blatant homophobia. I ask myself – why would straight people vote in favour of something that benefits Gay & Lesbian people, when the final result will have no affect on THEIR lives?
November 5th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Shanesha-
You say “The bible says marriage is between a man and a woman. If it was meant for 2 men to marry, then they would be able to have babies.” So…by that logic should infertile women and men not be allowed to marry either? I mean, if they were meant to be married, then they would be able to have babies, right?
November 5th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Exactly MISSY! – The Christian argument seems to fall down when there are MILLIONS of straight folk in the world with fertility problems. My good friend (who also happens to be devout Christian) got married a few years back and after years of ‘trying’, has just found out her husband is infertile. Now they are going to have to make a decision about fertility treatment – otherwise no children for them … Very hard when you believe that everything is ‘God’s will’.
November 5th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
“California Will Not Stand For Discrimination”
Californians have already spoken on this, not once, but twice.
Like a previous person said, “It was enough to get Obama elected without questions.”
for Obama
Florida 51%
Virginia 52%
Ohio 51%
Indiana 50%
Colorado 53%
North Carolina 50%
Should all those states be disputed and taken to court too?
November 5th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Shanesha- People don’t choose to be gay, so don’t state it as a fact.
I know MANY people who are married (yes, straight people) and they are athiests, so should they not be allowed to marry?
Religion and marriage may have coincided in the past, but that is simply not the case anymore.
jo- If you don’t like what Canada has done, maybe you should move south where more people will share your opinion.
I would gladly pay for your plane ticket out.
November 5th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
This is just SO frustrating to me. Californians will vote NO on notifying the parents of minors who are about to get abortions but gay Americans cannot get married? That is utterly ridiculous. And those YES to Prop 8 signs that say “protect marriage” are so stupid–protect marriage from WHAT? Since when is two people who love each other and WANT to make a commitment to one another a BAD thing?!? We have to get past our ignorance, our fears, and our prejudices. I know its not easy, but its time.
And the fact that despite electing Barack Obama [on a platform of HOPE] people are still blindly voting from fear makes me a little sad on such an exciting day in our nations history. How we decide these issues today will determine how future generations see us–are we REALLY willing to stand against an entire group of people’s rights in the country…STILL????
I don’t know what can be done at this point, but voting NO on Prop 8 is the right thing to do!!!!!
November 5th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
I am not from California, but I am absolutely disgusted that this proposition passed. So sad. But not surprising. Hate will never die. America is not free. And probably never will be.
November 5th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
And another thing…legalizing gay marriage and church ceremonies are TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ISSUES. When gay couples get married, whether they are “allowed” to have a church ceremony is and should be up to that church. Gay couples are seeking the LEGAL right to be married and received marriage benefits in the eyes of the LAW. The church and the LAW are two completely different notions. Before the law, a marriage is two people signing a piece of paper saying they commit to sharing their lives together.
November 5th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Tegan and Sara put a shout out about the rally saying they would be front and center.
November 5th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
i wish the USA would get with the times already.
November 5th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
I went to the rally and marched! <3
Fuck prop 8
November 5th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
All you religious wackos: in the bible, after God creates Adam, they look around for a suitable mate among all the ANIMALS before creating Eve. So, following your logic, we should all be required to marry animals (or at least consider it), because it’s mentioned in the Bible??! It’s an old book of hearsay that’s about 1,800 years outdated. Sorry, but it is! It shouldn’t govern our lives! And by the way, I’m straight but not narrow-minded.
November 5th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Ama,
I agree =)
November 6th, 2008 at 12:07 am
[...] Citizens Rally in California to Oppose Discrimination – Pink is the New Blog [...]
November 6th, 2008 at 2:34 am
I still don’t see why people just can’t let others be happy. Would same-sex marriages affect those who voted for prop 8 in any way? No!
Was it put up to a VOTE to decide whether or not women and blacks had rights in the past?
I hope the LGBTs and their supporters raise such a hue and cry, and protest so loudly that people are forced to do something about it.
November 6th, 2008 at 3:46 am
People are pathetic, it’s quite sad. Even if you choose to follow your religion (which is a crock of sh*t anyway), you should recognize that two people who love each other should get married … since at this point, marriage is not a SACRED religious institution anymore (you can check the divorce rates to prove that point). Knowing that, you should be able to separate your views from what’s right, and apparently, the majority CAN’T. Which makes me believe they don’t believe in the separation of church and state.
Pure hatred and bigotry.
November 6th, 2008 at 4:10 am
Wow, Lazyj, you really want people to be tolerant of others…EXCEPT religious people. I am on your side, I don’t think it affects me in any way if gay people can get married. However, I take offense to you calling my religious beliefs a “crock of s**t.” Grow up and learn to argue the points. No one is going to listen to you when you try to belittle others. I realize you probably think that is what the other side of this issue is doing, but shouldn’t you rise above it?
November 6th, 2008 at 5:38 am
Jo: “You can have civil unions if you want, but leave church ceremonies and the word marriage out of it.”
You make it seem as if Marriage is nothing more than a Christian Doctrine…which is FALSE.
Marriage predates Christianity. In Ancient Greece, marriage required no intervention from the state. Nor did they discriminate against homosexual marriages.
Christianity took this notion of marriage from numerous other religious and spiritual groups throughout history and manipulated it to work for their cause: Marraige is only between a man and a woman, so therefore these new Christian marriages would produce Christian children, who would therefore further the cause of Christ and The Lord. Sex for pleasure and love was completely useless, so it was deemed sinful.
The whole purpose of these Christian marraiges was for the production of children. And yes I use the word production, because that is what it was. These were not marriages for love. In fact…the number of marriages for love between 450AD and the late 19thCy are so few that it’s astonishing.
If you guys are so pro-marriage and religion marriages…why don’t you take your marriage the way it was given to you:
1. Marry a very young girl to a very old man
2. Girl is subject to rape within the relationship whenever the man pleases.
3. Kids, Kids, Kids!
4.No birth control
5. No divorce
6. Don’t love them? No one cares. Keep having babies.
^No one would stand for this kind of shit today. And no one should stand around and watch homosexual couples be denied the right to marry for love.
November 6th, 2008 at 5:53 am
Can’t we all just get along??? I would think that all of you enjoy reading PITNB and hopefully would support Trent. I’m disappointed at the negativity expressed here by some people.
The bottom line is that everyone wants to be treated EQUALLY. It happened with women – it happened with blacks and other minorities – now we just have to wait for society to wake up and see that the LGBT community should be treated equally as well. But I will not sit idly by – I am a proud ALLY and will do what I can to help and support my LGBT friends!!!!
November 6th, 2008 at 6:16 am
KEEP FIGHTING, CALI!!!!
You guys have supporters across the nation!!
November 6th, 2008 at 6:21 am
I believe that everyone is entitled to their own belief system and they are welcome to disagree with other people’s choices. What I don’t believe in, however, is that their beliefs should dictate what rights, as a citizen of the United States, I have available to me based on my sexual orientation.
The first amendment gives us freedom of(and from) religion and in facts states the following “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”. I understand this to mean that no laws favoring one belief system over another can be implemented and that no laws disallowing a certain belief system to be practiced can be implemented.
While it’s great that we live in a country that allows the citizens to believe how they wish, it’s not cool to discriminate against a group based on the religious beliefs of another group.
The stance of those who wanted a yes vote seems to be based on religion and what their deity would favor or not. While you’re free to believe that, creating laws with that as the foundation of your arguement is unconstitutional.
Every citizen of this country should be given the same rights no matter what they believe, who they get their rocks off with, no matter how old they are or what the pigment in the skin is.
We’re not asking for anything that we as human beings and citizens of this country aren’t already entitled to.
November 6th, 2008 at 6:34 am
Justin: I agree.
Marriage is not solely a religious concern. In order for a marriage to be sanctioned, it needs to also be approved by the state. Therefore, it’s not something that should be viewed as governed by the Church.
People are free to believe what they wish, but when your beliefs infringe on the freedoms of other citizens there is a serious problem.
November 6th, 2008 at 6:36 am
Its too late now, people were given a chance to vote against Prop 8 on Tuesday and they obviously made their choices. A protest won’t change anything. If a protest can change voting outcomes, wouldn’t McCain supporters (all 53 million of them) have already stormed the streets by now? You gotta be reasonable. Perhaps the absentee votes can help but technically there isn’t much else that can be done until all the votes have been counted. And aren’t Obama/Biden against gay marriage to begin with? I remember Biden specifically stating his debates that they are against this issue. Its only going to get harder.
November 6th, 2008 at 6:43 am
V, there is a huge (Massive!) difference between voting for a person to run your country and voting on whether or not a certain group of people should be given rights that they are entitled to as citizens of the country.
November 6th, 2008 at 6:52 am
V, both candidates were against legalizing gay marriage nationally and said so in the second debate (I believe, maybe the first, my memory is fuzzy). Each thought it should be left to the states to decide, which in my personal opinion, might be an easier battle to win by leaving it up to local government. Believe it or not, not ALL McCain supporters don’t believe in marriage of gays or are homophobic or whatever other groups people try to group conservatives into. For the most part, I agree with you…A lot of conservatives would be against gay marriage or even homosexuality because they are conservative thinkers. But I believe it’s unfair and ignorant to group “all McCain” or even “all Obama” supporters into stereotypical groups. It’s thoughts like this that encourage stereotypes and discrimination. I think every person has the right to fight for what they believe in and believe to be fair; this is called freedom and it’s what makes this country amazing. Protests show this freedom, voting shows this freedom, and Obama’s change shows this freedom. I don’t live in CA, but good luck to everyone in this fight, no matter which side you’re on. By voting alone, you exercised your freedom of choice and for that you are commendable in my book.
November 6th, 2008 at 7:02 am
Need I remind everyone that interracial marriage was not legal in the whole U.S. until 1967? In that year, the United States Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Loving v. Virginia that anti-miscegenation laws were unconstitutional. This DESPITE the fact that the MAJORITY of the country was actually supportive of these bands.
In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson passed the 19th Amendment, which gave WOMEN the right to vote, DESPITE the majority opinion.
Anyway, I could go on with examples…point being, in matters of civil rights, our country has a tendency to need the vision of our elected officials to separate our own warped perceptions from the common goal of having equal rights.
It is my hope that this incoming administration pushes forward in legalizing gay marriage, despite public opinion. There is not ONE solid argument against gay marriage. Religion is not allowed to come into the equation (I’m American, and my religion doesn’t ban gay marriage), and defending the “traditional institution” is not even historically accurate.
November 6th, 2008 at 7:24 am
I’m not trying to take a stand here but purely from a legal standpoint, what can protesting do to change this? The only thing you can really do is take it to the Supreme Court of the United States. Since Californians had a majority vote for it, then obviously many people were lying when they first said that they were against it cause they were ashamed of admitting that they did have an issue with gay marriage. Thats the source of the problem. Not the voting system itself, since you had the chance to reject it and you didn’t therefore everything was completely legal and fair. Its the PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA themselves. You’ve only got yourselves to blame. I’m actually against Prop 8 myself, some of my best friends are gay but in true honesty, you can’t expect so much change to happen all at once. Electing the first black President is already a huge step. Its too much too soon. Take a step back, file the right paperwork and start planning the next legal step. Its going to be a long journey but noone ever said it wouldn’t be possible.
November 6th, 2008 at 7:37 am
Protesting shows the public that what has happened is NOT ok. It makes people take a second to look into the issues and see what is really happening. It stirs up the emotions of the public, and makes them cry for change. Unless someone says we need change, it will never happen.
November 6th, 2008 at 7:42 am
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise there of”
That does not mean that an American cannot use his or her moral and/or religious compass to choose which way to vote. The Constitution says that the government cannot establish a religion but clearly states that it cannot “prohibit the free exercise there of”. The argument of don’t dicount me because I am homosexual goes both ways….don’t discount me because I am a Christain.
All these comments about democracy being at work in the election of Obama are great-it was at work. But one must also agree that democracy was at work in the matter of Proposition 8. The people of Californina voted on it.
I’m certain that this issue will be brought up many times in the future, civil rights in the 60s weren’t won in a day. That, however, does not give any one the right to dismiss the democracy that is occuring right now. I have every right (and the people of California certainly have that right) to vote how they want to.
Keep fighting for your rights, but don’t belittle someone in the process just because he or she doesn’t agree with you. You preach tolerance-now practice it.
November 6th, 2008 at 7:48 am
I agree with you bp, the voters have already decided what they wanted. Just let it be. Its obvious that people aren’t ready for this yet, give it some more time.
November 6th, 2008 at 7:49 am
For those who don’t agree with gay people being allowed to marry and enjoy all the legal rights “straight” people enjoy, I would like to ask, why? Do you feel gay marriage will somehow interfere with “straight” marriage? Do you think same sex couples should not enjoy the legal protection and other benefits straight couples enjoy? Why to straight people fear gay marriage so much? It will have no effect on hetero marriages. What’s the big deal????
November 6th, 2008 at 7:57 am
Jane wrote: Why to straight people fear gay marriage so much?
Why do you assume straights are voting because of fear? Is it so far-fetched to believe that one may be voting out of RESPECT for his or her own beliefs?
November 6th, 2008 at 7:58 am
Here’s a thought… A large majority of the Yes on Prop 8 votes were from the African American community. With mainly African American churches supporting Yes on Prop 8. So, now we have an African American President and it looks like Equality has come a long way… For the African American community… But what about Gay Rights? So… as long as it doesn’t effect you then it’s okay to oppress others? I’m not speaking to the entire African American community… But to the one’s who supported Yes on Prop 8 with a 70-30 ratio amoung the African American community… ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME? You all have some nerve! Seriously.
November 6th, 2008 at 8:04 am
bp — but YOUR beliefs are for YOU alone. if you choose to believe something is so then good for you, you have that right. YOUR beliefs should have no bearing on anyone else — period. all the proponents of these discriminatory practices can rail all they want but I AM VERY CONFIDENT that this notion that people can VOTE AWAY CIVIL RIGHTS will not stand in this country. Trust me, the day will come (and prolly sooner than you think) when ALL PEOPLE WILL BE TREATED EQUALLY in this country. If Obama’s election taught me nothing else, it taught me that.
November 6th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Trent:
By the tone of your comments, you are implying that I would have voted in a certain manner. No where in any of my posts have I stated what my stance is. So, I find it irritating that you can not look beyond the stance that Christian = hater.
Besides that, you say “YOUR beliefs should have no bearing on anyone else.” But yours should I presume? A person goes to the voting booth in this country and taps a button based on the direction they BELIEVE this country should go. People voted yes on Prop. 8 because they BELIEVED it to be right. Why did other people vote no? Because they BELIEVED it to be wrong. Tell me, do you vote on something because you flipped a coin or do you vote on something because you BELIEVE in it?
November 6th, 2008 at 8:22 am
bp — you are incorrect to imply my tone. i have on idea how you voted nor do i need to know. i merely answered your question “Is it so far-fetched to believe that one may be voting out of RESPECT for his or her own beliefs?” regardless of what YOUR beliefs are — whether they are in line with mine or not — they should have no bearing on any other person.
November 6th, 2008 at 8:30 am
All I am saying Trent, is that having a belief system is how democracy works.
Say person A went to the polls and voted for Obama because he believed in his ideals, his message and his direction. No matter what my beliefs are about Obama, person A’s beliefs do have a bearing on me. Now, you can say that they shouldn’t, but that is not realistic. One has to live in reality and know that person A will have beliefs that will have a bearing on my life. And in democracy, if person A is in the majority well, those beliefs will have a bearing on all Americans. Saying it “shouldn’t” does not make the fact that it does go away.
November 6th, 2008 at 8:38 am
who gives a fuck if they voted for prop 8?! IT’S UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND WILL BE CHALLENGED. the rest of the civiized world has gay marriage and the USA -will- have it eventually. get used to it, bible thumpers, you’re a dying breed….and not everyone in the USA believes in your imaginary friend in the sky!!!!! hahahahahahh!
and to all of you idiots saying it’s a choice…..your point being? theyre still choosing THAT! so STFU and mind your own business.
November 6th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Heather, when one religion dominates the way that laws are created for an entire country that is not religious freedom. It feels a lot like persecution to me.
Proposition 8 did nothing for religion. What it did was to deny a group of Americans the rights, protections and incentives to be paired that are granted by this country.
November 6th, 2008 at 8:45 am
I’m always surprised at how uneducated religious people are. If only the church would put money into EDUCATION and SCIENCE instead of trying to prevent others from having happiness!!! Guess they have to find SOMETHING to distract the world from how many children they molest.
November 6th, 2008 at 8:53 am
LOL brenda! “not everyone in the USA believes in your imaginary friend in the sky” HAHAHA that’s freaking hilarious, thank you. I, for one, do not need a madeup kind ol grandpa figure / vindictive punishing narcissist in order to live a good life and be a good person….
November 6th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Wow Brenda, you are amazing! Talk about creating an environment of hate and intolerance. It’s this blatent use of stereotypes that fuels hate and misunderstanding. I’m a Christian, with multiple degrees, and (oh no!) I work in an actual science lab! What on earth am I thinking!?
November 6th, 2008 at 8:57 am
bp, do you think that back in the day, slavery was okay because the MAJORITY thought it was?
and YOU who are OKAY with taking away people’s rights are saying you’re tolerant?
maybe you need a few more degrees to really get it.
November 6th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Well, bp, I do understand what you are saying in terms of majority vote being the best way to make decisions for the nation.
However, when you are talking about Prop 8, you are voting on something that is unconstitutional: denying an American citizen of their civil rights.
As Trent said, your beliefs should not have a bearing on anyone else. You countered with “But yours should I presume?” But, the problem is, his belief doesn’t have any bearing on you. Legalization of Gay marriage has NO EFFECT on your marriage or your life. Where as depriving other people of that right has a BIG impact.
November 6th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Why do you think I am for taking away anyone’s rights?
As far as I know I have yet to state my stance in this issue. And I have never said that just because that the majority thinks something it automatically makes it right. I am simply stating that there is a process to democracy. With that process comes the right for a person to vote in any way they feel fit and that vote does affect other people in this country. And it seems to me that some people would like to take away that right just because they don’t agree with it.
And in fact, as I stated above, people should keep fighting for their rights, as I shall continue fighting for mine.
November 6th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Ok…I correct myself:
Not you, SPECIFICALLY, but to anyone who argues that this is a democratic voting issue, it is not.
We have established ourselves as a democracy, but clearly define it as a democracy BASED ON providing every american citizen with EQUAL rights.
So, in this case, the foundation of our whole system TRUMPS the right for democratic based voting. Because, the whole proposition goes against everything America is founded on. Freedom and equality for all.
Ha ha, voting for prop 8 is anti-american. Whoa…I just pulled the American card. I don’t think I’ve ever done that!
November 6th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Okay, enough with this. Reading this has made me pure sick. Out of the 100 posts on here, I have read only one comment from a stereotypical religious fanatic. Yet, amongst the most “englightened” and “tolerant” person’s posts, I have read more hatred than I care to think of. The very people who want tolerance have posted the most indescribably hurtful comments I have ever read. I honestly have a tear in my eye.
I’m a christian. I am not an idiot, or a fanatic. I am a lawyer. I live in south Alabama and come to this site every day. We are not all racists and narrowminded. In fact, 40% of us voted for Obama which is huge. It’s only the people who live in sparsley populated towns that are that way…which is true in most states.
I must say that I have been on the “border” about gay marriage. My religious beliefs go against it, but it does not directly affect me. I believe people are born how they are. I have often thought that if the government provided gays and lesbian couples with the opportunity to marry, then it would help stop the negative sterotypes that many gay men carry–that they cannot carry on monogamous relationships. Maybe if it were legalized, people would not feel the need to lie about being gay, only to marry a woman and come out years later. Like I said, I have turn this idea over and over again in my head.
But after reading some of your blog posts, I sway back to my conservative roots. I feel that every time I try to give someone a chance at changing my opinion, they say something so hurtful and ignorant–hence, the “imaginary man in the sky” or “religious fanatics”… the list goes on.
I know that there are idiots on both sides. I know that. But if you want to change people’s feelings on the issues, don’t make me feel the size of a pea just because I believe in a higher power. Make me feel as if we have much in common. Convince me. Make informed arguments. Name calling will not suffice.
Oh, and from a legal standpoint. The state shot it down…it’s pretty much over for the moment. I’m sure it will be brought on appeal to the Supreme Court. From there it will most likely be declared unconstitutional to prevent it.
November 6th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Y’all are so happy Obama got elected, but said he is against gay marriage.
November 6th, 2008 at 9:51 am
What I don’t understand is that this even came to a vote.When you are talking about a citizens right(to vote, to pratice yout choice of religion or to marry their partner) it should not be left to the general public to decide if they can have it or not.It is a constitutional right to have a legaly binding union with your partner, to enjoy both the benefits and responsibilities of it.If it had been up to the general public 40-50 years ago we would still be living in a society where people are treated with less respect and dignity for their skin collor alone.
November 6th, 2008 at 9:53 am
boo:
the Obama campaign released the following statement:
“Senators Obama and Biden have made clear their commitment to fighting for equal rights for all Americans whether it’s by granting LGBT Americans all the civil rights and benefits available to heterosexual couples, or repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ Senator Obama has already announced that the Obama-Biden ticket opposes Proposition 8 and similar discriminatory constitutional amendments that could roll back the civil rights he and Senator Biden strongly believe should be afforded to all Americans.”
November 6th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Amy, how can you be surprised that people are pissed and are lashing out when their rights have once again been reduced by people that think just like you or worse.It is simple frustration, and if you have ever experienced the feeling of beeing treated as a lesser person, of being told you are not equal, then you may complain about this.
November 6th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Ok I think I’m going to put my two cents in. I am a Christian who believes that this country was built on some great ideas but the very foundation was built on hypocrisy. People came to this country for religious freedom, NOT to start a new Christian nation. That is why there is a separation of church and state. It goes completely against what this country was built on to create laws based on religious beliefs, especially when this country CANNOT lawfully force anyone to be Christian or any religion for that matter. This country was also built on the principle of freedom and then in the same breath enslaved a whole group of people. It was “life liberty and the pursuit of happiness” only if you were a white male. It is time this country remembers why it started and stops the hypocrisy! Since there is separation of church and state the churches should be able to say whether they want to marry someone or not (as they do now, they turned my Christian friend away just because she had a baby out of wedlock instead of an abortion, hypocrites!!). But there should NEVER be a law forbidding people to get married IF the churches will do so, just like there should NEVER be a law that doesn’t allow people to practice Christianity. As a Christian, I don’t even believe there should be “In God we trust” on our bills because NOT EVERYONE IN AMERICA IS A CHRISTIAN, and this is what makes America, America!
November 6th, 2008 at 10:07 am
brenda, I’m referring to the interveiw with Rev. Warren that was broadcast on tv. The one with both him and McCain. Warren asked him how he felt about gay marriage and he said he believed marriage should be between 1 man and 1 woman. He believed in civil unions but not gay marriage.
November 6th, 2008 at 10:12 am
boo, he’s changed his mind since then. regardless, prop 8 will get challenged…and gay people will have the right to marry. yay. equality.
November 6th, 2008 at 10:14 am
One can still believe in heterosexual marriage AND equal rights for all. While I believe that same-sex couples have the right to marry that doesn’t mean that I believe that heterosexual couples should not be allowed to marry — the two are not mutually exclusive. It couldn’t be more plain and simple.
November 6th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Amy: what an amazing post.
I know many people of different faiths, religions, sexual orientation… none are fanatics, or idiots.. they’re just people… I find it appaling that something like this was voted on, being a canadian it’s a foreign concept to me… but attacking those with different religious beliefs, sexual orientation, etc with insults isn’t going to solve anything… stereotyping just builds more barriers, fear, and supports discrimination.
I am a straight, married, female who believes in equal rights for all.. I fell out of the organized christian faith in my teens and now simply believe in living every day positively, there are many nights where I still pray to a higher power to help me with days ahead… and while some may think it’s silly.. and “imaginary” or not, it calms me, and prepares me.. Many members of my family are devout christians and they support equal rights for all human beings, regardless of how they live their life. It’s unfortunate that extremists are the only ones some people remember.. and judge all others based on a minority of the group.
November 6th, 2008 at 10:29 am
I await the day when I hear Obama say ‘YES YOU CAN get married to a man or a woman!’
cheers
November 6th, 2008 at 10:45 am
He’ll never say that
November 6th, 2008 at 10:59 am
just like america would never vote in a black president? change happens – it just takes time.
November 6th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Anyone else confused? I mean there was all this money pumped into campaigning people to Vote No on Proposition 8. People then went and voted (i.e. participated in the democratic process). And when things didn’t go their way, they want to stomp their feet and say “this issue shouldn’t even have been dealt with in a way that I myself participated in.”
November 6th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Amy and Bekkle: I respect your point about how many Christians DO believe in equal rights and justice, as Jesus preached. The problem is, we never SEE this viewpoint. When religious/Christian groups enter into the political fray, it’s almost always to ban gay marriage, make abortion illegal, and other far right-wing agenda points. So, can you blame us for lumping all of you together on those issues? Sorry though. I will try to remember that there are a lot of Christians who do believe in the value that Jesus preached, just as the majority of Muslims in the world are not crazy fanatics either….
November 6th, 2008 at 11:29 am
bp – do you honestly expect people to just say “Oh…well tough luck on us…let’s give up now.”
If people did this…we would still have slavery, we would still have women being unable to vote…hell, many men still wouldn’t be allowed to vote. Animal cruelty wouldn’t be deemed inappropriate, colonization would still be the ‘white mans burden’, and the Pope would still rule with an iron fist.
November 6th, 2008 at 11:37 am
No I don’t expect people to give up fighting. I just wish that they would stop placing the blame on the California voters. It was the Supreme Court who said it was a state issue. Now there is one group saying “well, it shouldn’t be a state issue and the vote shouldn’t count even though I voted.”
November 6th, 2008 at 11:38 am
me: That’s exactly the problem, that it’s the extremists that are pushing for things like that, and so that’s all people remember – I’m not a christian (anymore) I don’t believe in organized religion – but I do believe there’s something else out there.. (completely off topic..) anyway..
the core values that Jesus preached are wonderful, (loving your neighbour, honoring your parents, living positively and with meaning, etc) but I think that a lot of people forget that Jesus didn’t write the bible, it was written and twisted by people years and years after he had died.. it had already become fable and rumor by the time it was written down, and then translated numerous times to fit whatever church/religion wanted it to truly say. It was also written 1800+ years ago, so much of what was written has no bearing on life now… how there are people that truly believe Homosexuals are going to hell because of how they live their life, and how ‘god’ made them…. I will never understand – most extremists have never actually read the bible, they take quotes and twist it to suit their purpose. I just agree with Amy that in order for positive change to happen, there has to be constructive conversation between all parties.. and the extremists should be ignored.. because they want to make people angry, and I think that some post just to stir the pot.. it might not even be what they really feel – but they find it humerous to make others mad..
November 6th, 2008 at 11:44 am
I posted some (low quality) video from last night.. Tila Tequila meeting people and yelling from her car – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hpgHj5ItCQ – and some raw footage of the march overwhelming my camera’s microphone with noise – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AU1tqfILhQ . I hope anyone else with better video uploads theirs!!!
November 6th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
“One can still believe in heterosexual marriage AND equal rights for all. While I believe that same-sex couples have the right to marry that doesn’t mean that I believe that heterosexual couples should not be allowed to marry — the two are not mutually exclusive. It couldn’t be more plain and simple.”
Oh, but you can’t have any beliefs that may affect another person!
November 6th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
wow…..^
November 6th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
“Oh, but you can’t have any beliefs that may affect another person!”
You can have beliefs. By all means, have your own beliefs… but, you can’t legislate them if they take away rights that other Americans have. By banning gay marriage, it is TAKING AWAY a right that other Americans are entitled to, which is unbalanced and unconstitutional.
November 6th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
I get that bubblegum, my beef is not with you. Call me pedantic, I’m just commenting on Trent’s earlier statement: “if you choose to believe something is so then good for you, you have that right. YOUR beliefs should have no bearing on anyone else — period.” Notice there is no argument about taking away freedoms, just saying no beliefs at all. But then he goes on to comment: “One can still believe in heterosexual marriage AND equal rights for all. While I believe that same-sex couples have the right to marry that doesn’t mean that I believe that heterosexual couples should not be allowed to marry.”
This is exactly what supporters of equality are fighting AGAINST. In one breath it is “you can’t have a belief if has any bearing on any one else” and the next “but listen to my beliefs because they matter.” Does that sound like equality to you?
Again, I have not stated my position on this matter. I have never said I am a proponent of taking away anyone’s rights…people just need to take a step back and think. In an issue like this people very easily become zealots (yes even non Christians can be zealots) and common sense goes out the window.
November 6th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
I understand it differently.. to me it says that personal beliefs should not get in the way of someone else living their life – just because 51% of people think that Marriage between 2 people of the same sex is wrong.. doesn’t make it so – expressing personal beliefs and opinions and enforcing them as law are 2 completely different things.. that’s just my take… IMHO. I still can’t believe something like this was voted on during a time when the economy is in the toilet and people are dying overseas in a needless war… boggles my mind…
November 6th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
“Expressing personal beliefs and opinions and enforcing them as law are 2 completely different things.” “personal beliefs should not get in the way of someone else living their life ”
Do you mean that across the board or in just this one instance? Any one here oppose sex between a grown man or a woman and 12 year old of either gender)?
You know what, you are right….I have no place to think that it would be wrong. My personal beliefs about underage sex (and all those pesky laws too) are just getting in the way of that man living his life how he wants to.
November 6th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
bp: there’s a huge difference between 2 full grown adults making a decision in their life, and an adult exploiting a child… I understand the point you are trying to make, but I just don’t see that as a viable comparison..
November 6th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
V says “we can’t expect so much change to happen at once” – YES WE CAN … exactly how many decades have to pass before America gets it?? Until discrimination of people because of their gender or sexuality are dealt with, I firmly believe USA will not begin to solve the problems it needs to solve. Get on with it America, and stop being dictated to by self serving church groups (who don’t even pay taxes).
November 6th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
My argument is not against two consenting adults choosing to live their lives however they choose. My argument is against the blanket statement of: personal beliefs should not get in the way of someone else living their life. How else do choose to vote but for your freakin beliefs? Take bugglegum who qualifies his/her statement with: you can’t legislate them if they take away rights that other Americans have. You don’t bekkie.
November 6th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
bp: I understand what you’re saying.. I just don’t understand why something like this is voted for in an election by the public. I completely understand people voting based on their beliefs.. that’s obviously how people vote, but why does society have the ability to vote on how others live their life? if (for example) a state that had high polygamy rates, would a group of individuals be able to get the signatures, put together a proposition.. and if 51% of people said ‘yes we like polygamy’ would that state then make it legal to marry multiple people? or under-age marriage in the same scenario? – it’s just different up here in the great white north, so I’m attempting to comprehend the extent of what these propositions can do
November 6th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
and if this same thing happened in 2000.. and then the supreme court over-ruled it… won’t that just happen again.. and then it will be a never-ending circle of voting and overturning? it seems redundant and a waste of money…
and on the other hand.. if ‘California still has a “domestic partners” law that gives same-sex couples the same rights and benefits as married spouses.’ then I really fail to see the big issue here… is the fight strictly over the term ‘marriage’? can’t you just use it anyway? it’s just a word…
you neighbours are so confusing…
November 6th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Bekkie: sometimes I don’t understand the US either. I think the problem here is the Supreme Court (federal not state) said that this issue is a state matter, they won’t touch it. The California leaders said no, the state Supreme Court said yes, so some people said let’s vote. It was voted on and according to the democratic process. If the group that should be deeming something unconstitutional says the states should decide, I don’t see how the majority of people can be “wrong/stupid/unconstitutional” when they were only doing what they should be doing as a member of a democratic system. The only thing that is being accomplished right now is more fracturing of a people. Both side are screaming “I’m right.” I think that some people need to stop demeaning people for voting the way they have an established right to and put that effort into convincing the Supreme Court to hear the case. The attacks on each other need to stop- no one deserves to have their vote dismissed just because the other side doesn’t agree.
November 6th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
[...] Rally in California to Oppose Discrimination – Pink is the New Blog [...]
November 6th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
MARRIAGE IS NOT EXCLUSIVELY A RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION
what the hell is wrong with everybody?? so non-religious straight people aren’t allowed to get married? they have to call it something else? right…
FUCK selective memories make me mad. it’s called separation of church and state people… we can’t tell churches they have to marry gay people and churches sure as hell shouldn’t be telling us who can/can’t get married outside the church. everyone who is opposing gay marriage now is going to be pretty fucking embarrassed a few years down the road when society realizes what a horrible mistake it’s making.
November 6th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
[...] Rally in California to Oppose Discrimination – Pink is the New Blog [...]
November 6th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
[...] Rally in California to Oppose Discrimination – Pink is the New Blog [...]
November 6th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
I honestly believe that there were enough people to lazy to read the actual details of the proposition that caused the result. I had to correct a few people that “Yes on 8″ was the BAN and not the other way around… they were confused… they weren’t paying attention. I think there were enough of these types to make the unfortunate difference.
November 7th, 2008 at 6:36 am
I guess Prop 8 makes me think of 2004, when Alabama voted by a slight majority to retain segregation language from the Alabama constitution. (In their defense, the language was un-enforced and their was a seriously misleading campaign about the prop)
Ultimately, these measures get turned around in the supreme court, because they are bullt out of hate and intolerance and inequality.
I hope that someday we have a word as strong as “racist” to describe people who are opposed to gay people’s equal rights. When you label someone as a racist, we can all generally agree that they are ignorant and not to be taken seriously. “Homophobic” just doesn’t have that same sense yet. Well, in a perfect world…we won’t need either of those words. :) You know the real irony? I am a straight female who is in a loooong term relationship with a man and I have no interest in marriage. Heterosexual couples did a great job of making it meaningless to me through the high divorce rate. No offense to people who personally value your marriages and honor them-just not for me! And I want every consensual adult to have that right if they value it.
July 16th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Great post – You have to love Florida!!