The title is meant to be sung to the tune of "Let's get physical." That Olivia Newton-John knows her stuff. Anyway, lots of the blogs I read have done their thing with Prop 8 in California, and even though the vote happened awhile back, I guess its my turn. In true Lynn fashion... I am just going to rip the band-aid off. No counting to ten and slow peel for me. So, here goes...
Dear California,
You're wrong.
Love,
Lynn
Ok, I am going to have to expand a little. I took a quiz yesterday that was supposed to be one word answers and I couldn't do it. So, I can't just write that note and let it go.
I am saddened by the outcome of the Prop 8 vote, and I personally think that mankind (and womankind and dogkind and kidkind and all other kinds) should all be sad, too. Basically the outcome is that one group of people gets to continue to be persecuted and labeled as "less than us." Everyone is free to have their own opinions (especially if they match mine) and you don't even have to be pro gay marriage or a friend to the homosexual community. You can still think its a sin and believe they are wrong for doing it. But, Keith Obermann said it best.... how is gay marriage hurting you? The consensus is that they can get all the same legal rights as a hetero couple, but they can't use the word marriage. Why? If Ellen and Portia tie the knot, does that somehow affect your marriage? Should your marriage somehow be viewed as less sacred now that two people of the same gender got married? That's crazy. Because if your hetero next door neighbors has a marriage that ends in divorce, did that somehow invalidate yours? And really, for all of those "sanctity of marriage" people, give me a break! Like there are no hetero couples that violate the sanctity you so believe in? If you cheat on your spouse, and it leads to divorce, no one is saying you can't legally marry again. And, am I wrong, or do you then have a history of violating the sanctity of marriage? And what about people who marry for money, green cards, or the drunks that hit the chapels of Vegas? They are legally allowed to vow to stay with someone until death (not sobriety) do they part, but love and commitment have nothing to do with it. With the divorce rate what it is, us heterosexual folks aren't doing a bang up job protecting that sanctity on our own.
I live in a state that is so right-wing conservative that gay marriage will never be allowed. The majority of Hoosiers' heads would explode before they would consider voting yes on something like gay marriage. (Unless you're reading this, Governor Daniels, and want to prove me wrong. Let me know, because I would be happy to help you leave a legacy of love, tolerance and acceptance in this state, if you're game). California is so progressive in comparison that I had high hopes when I heard about this hitting the ballots. I thought that the people lucky enough to live in a state where they had a say in promoting equal rights would end up saying the right thing. I guess I was wrong, and that just makes me sad.
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7 comments:
I am going to take the a risk and say something inflammatory. The church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints(Mormons) is in large part to blame for Proposition 8 passing and therefore making the world a little bit worse. The Church of LDS was responsible for 70% of the funding of advertisement for Prop 8 and probably alot more then that in regards to getting their congregations to support and lobby for Prop 8.
I don't understand either. All I can think is that sometime in the future your kids will be learning in history class how gay marriage came to pass, and wonder in disbelief that there was a time that it didn't exist.
Florida just approved (62%) their Ammendment 2. Same deal, different name. I don't question or critique sincerety of religions to have an opinion on definition of marriage. That's their right under religious freedom. But when they push those definitions and opinions back into the political arena, then we've ALL lost our freedom.
Oh sure... no one cares about commenting on my cold feet...
Mark - I don't blame a church for attempting to maintain their views. I don't agree, but don't blame them. Its their right to support something that they view as right. I blame the people of California, and the proposition didn't pass by mormons alone. I wonder how your family voted? You have more influence over them than the mormon church... so start there with your complaints.
Amie - I really hope you're right. Especially in this time of the first African American President. I hope that proof of equality with turn the tide for other groups as well.
J.D. - Isn't it interesting that California gets all the press. Because in Arkansas they passed a law or proposition saying that gays couldn't adopt children. I am beyond outraged at that, but it doesn't get nearly enough press. And apparently not by me either, since I didn't blog about that.
It was an absolute disgrace and being military I am still outraged that gays can't openly serve. Who am I to tell anyone what job they can or can't have base on their sexual orientation. It's just crazy. Someone today (in the military) told me they couldn't handle gays in the military because of getting AIDS or being hit on in the shower. my mind nearly blew at that point. literally, i was dumbfounded. Being gay doesnt hurt anyone else and it's not a choice. i don't care who is standing next to me in the shower when we are war, cause let me tell you, anyone who has been to war, is not thinking about sex. they are thinking about safety and getting home. Ok, so maybe we think about sex, but we can't act on it, gay or straight downrange. I can only hope for change and advocate for it. Prop 8 was a step backward for our country. Down with don't ask don't tell!!!
Julie - Amen, sister, amen!!!
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