I have a problem Internet... I think some people I know and like vote "Yes" on Prop 8... the bill which passed and effectively bans marriage between gays and lesbians.
They "protected traditional marriage".
*sigh*
I'm having a hard time getting over this one, Internet. I am having a hard time reconciling myself that some of my friends are what I call, bigoted.
Heterosexuals have pretty much fucked up the sanctity of marriage. With our 60% divorce rate, adulterous tendencies, abuse and abandoned children... we are able to get drunk in Vegas and marry our cab driver... ooohhh, let's hear it for traditional marriage!
Jenn over at Juggling Life said it best, "Slavery was a tradition at one time too."
I don't care about the Presidential election... I have good friends who voted for McCain (Hey, some of my best friends are Republicans! ;-)) but, Prop 8?
Wow. I am... I guess I am just really really sad.
28 comments:
I know, it's hard for me to not judge others when I know they're willing to deny others a basic human right. It's illegal to discriminate against someone because of his/her race. It's illegal to discriminate against someone because of his/her religions. But it's still legal to discriminate against someone because he/she fell in love with a person of the same gender. That's just messed up.
I'm really sad about it, too. It's just amazing to me that one of the most liberal and progressive states would vote against such a positive thing for our society. Our Constitution (both the states' and country's) should give us rights, not take them away. It makes me sick to my stomach...
There are no words to express the sadness I feel that others can dictate how another person chooses to live their life.
To live life judging others must be exhausting for them.
Kristin,
Thank you for being brave enough to blog about this...even when some of your friends don't hold the same beliefs as you. i haven't come right out and said it, but i have a partner, a woman, and i have rheumatoid arthritis. i have no health insurance and sadly, my health isn't strong enough to work 40 hours a week to get my own from the work place. she is an attorney and it would be wonderful if we could be married and i could have insurance through her.
anyway, my two cents worth. as an ex-california girl, i am very disappointed in my state. :( thanks again, kristin, for opening this little forum for chat on this subject.
Jen - Absolutely. The worst is when they throw the Bible at me! "The Bible Say"... gag. Are we still sacrificing animals after childbirth? Are lobsters still an "abomination"? Please, spare me.
Amy - I know... it's like people just fell hook line and sinker for those shiny yellow signs.
Linda - Yes, it must be nice for them to be so holy.
Kristy - The thing is, I don't look at it so much as a belief as a fact... discrimination is wrong. And that is what Prop 8 is: sanctified discrimination. I don't know what 51% of my state was thinking, but it is nothing but wrong and unjust.
tradition is someone else's bad idea
I know what you mean. I don't care if people vote for John McCain, but a friend of mine actually posted a picture on Facebook of her three year old daughter wearing a tshirt that said "Palin Chick." I seriously had to get up and walk away from the computer to compose myself, and I haven't thought about my friend of almost 15 years in the same way since. I don't undersand how someone could fall for Palin like that and I don't understand how people can be so bigoted and close minded in this day and age. What are they scared of exactly? I don't have any advice for you on how to deal with those friends, other than maybe introduce them to gay couples you know who can put a face on the issue and make them realize what their vote really meant.
What makes me even sicker is that Prop 2 passed in a landslide. So we Californians are more concerned about the rights of chickens and farm animals than we are about gay people... Huh??
It is sad. Love is never wrong.
Hey, I voted for 2. I want to give all chickens a pony before they're sent to the chophouse.
Anyhoo, K - I'm with you on this one. I just don't buy the majority position on this one.
I would have to say that what I found most fascinating about the pro-8 campaigners is that they had the nerve to use the old "we want to protect the children" by not exposing them to this topic in schools ...whilst peppering the airwaves with non-stop in-your-face messages that had both of my kids asking about it. I personally didn't care to have ANY sex talk (gay or straight) with my 4 year old thankyouverymuch.
"Protect the children," my ass! They pushed their agenda at all costs ...including sacrificing the tender sensibilities of those they claimed they wanted to protect.
And btw, if schools are teaching ANY sex to first graders (as the P-8ers claimed WOULD happen if the measure weren't passed), THAT is a school (district) policy issue ...NOT a Prop 8 issue.
Prop 8 constitutionalizes discrimination, plain and simple. It is just wrong.
Not from your state, but I agree that it was wrong to pass that. If two people are in love, why step in the way! With all the hate in the world, more power to them to remain committed to each other and share that love!
I am having a hard time getting over it, too...It's just not fair and I am that californians could be so narrow minded..
Thank GOD there are so many people out there like you and your commenters! It gives me hope and a smile!
I was appalled. You know - I didn't even think about it going the way it did, I thought for sure, here in America, in our supposedly FREE country that the rights for loving couples would be upheld . . .
It is shameful and although I am elated about Obama, I am sad beyond belief about this. This is the kind of thinking that will get us NOWHERE, no matter who is at the helm of our ship.
:( dammit.
With all of the pro 8 signs in my neighborhood I was almost surprised that it was as close as it was! I think this is the civil rights issue of our time. The no on 8 people need to speak up more and get the truth out. I agree with you Shelley!
I'm with you. It doesn't seem right to me that just by the way I was born, I am able to marry my partner, when others are not.
I think part of my shock comes from living in a community which voted down 8, 2 to 1... I thought we were the rule, not the exception.
I'm late coming to the party here but I had to put in mu 2 cents.
Yes, I too am sad that Prop 8 was voted down.
But mostly I am seriously pissed off. What the heck is WRONG with people? Did those stupid people standing on the street corners really make a difference?
Because it took all of me not to "accidentally" take a few of them out on some of my right hand turns.
Last week on our way home from the movies there was ONE guy with a "No on 8" sign standing amongst the other idiots and I was overcome with emotion and started honking like a mad woman for him. Unfortunately my plan backfired because those idiots thought I was honking for them and I got pissed off and started driving before the light turned green and my husband started yelling at me, asking if I was crazy. Good times. Damn those morons on the street corners!
P.S. I'm bummed you edited your post and took out the parts about the Bible. I totally quoted you to my co-worker the other day when we were vehemently discussing this topic. Totally understand though. I'm so glad I don't work for the Catholic Church anymore.
Nevermind that last part about the Bible. I just read it in your comments. I somehow though it was in your original post. Must stop smoking weed ;) And I haven't had any coffee yet.
Michelle - You're funny! Yes, I didn't mention the Bible in my post, but in the comments... and I've been happily quoting many weird laws from Leviticus at every opportunity!
I am 100% with you on that one... just don't get it! Cannot get past it!
People so close to me voted yes and I just cannot forgive them!
BTW, I am a straight married for 16 years to the same man... I just wish EVERYONE could have the same right
I know what you mean Kristin. My husband and I almost put our daughter in a certain private school. I changed my mind because every time I saw a bumper sticker that said, "My Child is a Super Reader at Blank Private School" it also had a sticker that was pro on 8. Maybe just the super readers parents are pro on 8 there but we just didn't think the school sounded like our peeps.
Anon - Hmm... sounds suspiciously like my kids' school, which is another post for another day... because, ugh.
Kristin, you guys are further south than this school is. Oh, by the way this is Ella's mom. I'm enjoying your blog.
Anne!
I'm late chiming in on this, but I, too, was totally depressed about Prop. 8 the morning after election day. I have never understood the argument in favor of "protecting marriage", as far back as when Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act. In recent days, however, I'm more optimistic that we have not seen the end of this fight. Next battleground is the courts. In fact, word is that organized supporters of equal protection have in the past asked others not to challenge other states' bans against gay marriage because they were waiting to fight the mother of all fights (i.e., California). All is not lost.
Have to chime in here -- do you care enough to keep this issue alive? Forty-eight percent is a lot of Californians who think marriage equality is a good idea. I felt sad about Prop 8 passing too, and said so, and I suddenly found myself on an organizing committee for additional rallies to keep the heat on the LDS (a.k.a. the Mormon church - though there are many individual Mormons who side with equality). There are lots of rallies going on this weekend and in coming weeks. If you have the time, it's a great lesson for your children to see their parents standing up for the constitutional rights of others. Most rallies are generally fun and kid-friendly. Go to http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/ to find events near you. Thanks, now get out there and exercise your First Amendment rights!
Ugh....I have friends who finally got married in September - only to have to face Prop 8 now.
I'm ill over people and their inability to get OUT OF OTHERS' bedrooms!
And, frankly, you rock. And are so right. As if heteros have this all figured out? Puh. Lease.
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