Wow. So Ellen and Portia are still A-okay, it seems, along with 18,000 other people. So what about the rest of the people in California?
This is disconcerting, to be sure, though not unexpected, I have to say. I wish it was different, but it isn't.
What I do find incredibly curious is that NO ONE talks about Amendment 2 in Florida, which is equally as bad, if not worse. Why is that? It passed during the 2008 election, too, yet it is completely ignored. This was the concern in FL (and note the state that also has a ban mentioned in the following):
But opponents say the Florida Marriage Protection Amendment isn't a gay issue, but rather a measure that could negatively affect many heterosexual couples as well.
They point to particular wording in the amendment that they say could lead to unmarried couples -- gay and straight -- losing hospital visitation rights, the ability to make emergency medical decisions, and domestic partner health benefits provided by employers.
The proof, they say, is what has happened in other states where similar amendments have passed.
Since Michigan voters approved a ''marriage protection'' amendment in 2004, the state Supreme Court has struck down domestic partner benefits, including health insurance and pensions. A battle is also under way in Kentucky to eliminate domestic partner benefits for employees of state universities because of similar legislation.
''This amendment says that because marriage is between a man and a woman, nothing else counts,'' said Derek Newton, campaign manager for Florida Red & Blue, the bipartisan organization running the SayNo2 campaign to defeat the amendment. ``It could take away existing rights and benefits of Floridians.''
Wow - Michigan, too. And Virgina. South Carolina. A total of forty-one (41) states have defined marriage between a man and a woman.
I know we are supposed to be all excited that a whopping FIVE states consider LGBT people to be equal, but it seems with every step forward, there's at least one step back. I guess all we can do is keep fighting for equal rights for all people. One day at a time, I reckon...
4 comments:
We're becoming a Puritanical society, bit by bit. No same sex marriage, no domestic partnership benefits, no rights for any couple unless they're married under the eyes of the law. What's next? No divorce allowed? We have to protect marriage, after all. Governmental approval of choice of spouse before marriage can take place? I wonder what their criteria would be.
Here in SF, the gay community is despondent, and rightly so. (But now I'm going to rant a bit, because I'm so freaking tired of the blindness and apathy and non-accountability and hypocrisy I run into daily.)
The folks I talk to here in the Castro are very nastily taking their frustrations out on Carrie Prejean who, while I certainly don't agree with her views, has the exact same views as the man they voted for President. Yet when I mention this, I get no response, or "that's different".
Mention The Pretender's turnaround with DADT and DOMA? No response. Mention some of the anti-gay people he's appointed to positions in his administration? No response. Mention his non-support of equal marriage rights for everyone, his non-support of the gay community, his never once having marched in any gay pride parade? No response.
But mention Carrie Prejean? Well, you'd think she was the devil incarnate. Like I said, I certainly don't agree with her views, but would someone please tell me why she's bad and The Pretender is still The One???
I agree we ALL have to fight for marriage equality, gay and straight alike. I wish someone would tell the gay community here in SF. I'm seeing a lot of anger at the outcome of the CSC decision, but where were they all when Prop 8 was on the ballot? The level of involvement was almost zero. Easier to blame its passing on others rather than take responsibility for educating and enlightening those people outside of their community.
Okay, time for me to go hide again and pretend I'm in the midst of a nightmare and I'll be waking up any minute and turn on the news and find out what President Hillary Clinton is accomplishing today.
WOW, SFIndie - what an AWESOME response!!! Dang - I would love to post that at NQ. Are you willing for me to do that?
The issue of people attacking Carrie PreJean (and right there with ya - don't care for her views, but they are the SAME as Obama's), or not working harder for Prop 8, are all the many and varied ways people jump through hoops to still be able to support Obama. In my mind, they are JUST like the 29% of people who ALWAYS supported Bush, no matter what. Exactly the same, I think..
Awesome rant, my friend!!
Thanks, Rev! And yes, please feel free to post my comment/rant at NQ.
Thanks, SF! I appreciate that - it is so well worded. Plus your living and working in San Fran adds a lot of weight...
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