Now, I rarely, if ever, use this blog for political purposes, but I’m sorry, it’s time for this post and I have to write about this topic. And to be honest, I don’t care if this pisses my readers off and you never read my blog again. But this is about human life and love and respect.
For those of you who live in a vacuum, Californians have voted Yes on Proposition 8, which makes same-sex marriages there illegal. Now, there are also constitutional amendments in place in other states banning gay marriage which angers me as well. I thought the Constitution was given to Americans to PROVIDE rights, not deny rights? Is that really what our forefathers wrote this document for?
For those of you who think ANYONE chooses to be gay, I just want you to take a step back and think about this “Did you choose to be straight?” And if so, when did you make that decision?
This is a link to text (and the video) from Keith Olbermann’s show last night. I’m normally not a fan of his, but I have to say, I am now. One of my readers, someone close to me sent me this info, and I thank them for it.
I hope that each of you who reads what Keith wrote (or said – watch the video!) takes it to heart and you stop to think. We have someone in our lives (I dare not use the term a relative because to be honest, I don’t have much use for her in my life right now nor want to think of her as part of my family) who thinks that while we’ve not chosen to be gay but doesn’t think that G-d make us this way either. To make it clear, one more time. It’s not a choice. Deciding between a Venti or Grande decaf Peppermint Mocha at Starbucks is a choice. Being gay isn’t. Why on earth would ANYONE choose something that would put themselves at harm for discrimination, bigotry, hurt, pain and rejection? That “relative” has a lot to learn and grow and think about in life.
Well, apparently so do a lot of Californians who voted Yes on Prop 8.
So again, if you’re turned off by my political post, too bad. I really don’t care. I’ll be back to gf postings soon. In the meantime, I’ve made my choice. Tall decaf Peppermint Mocha.
GFS
I was so disappointed that California voted to pass Prop 8. I most certainly believe that it is not a choice and that your “relative” figures that out sooner rather than later. It is so sad that in this day and age people are not accepting of others that are different, be it sexuality, race, whatever it is. I’m glad you posted this, people need to be aware.
Can I say “you GO girl”? because that’s how I feel. Living in NYC I see alot more diversity in a walk down the street than most people see in a month or a lifetime. I am saddened that so many people feel the need to impose their views and moral compass on others. I think that anyone who does that really needs to step back and examine themselves and their lives, not be guided by some powerful yet dubious personality (or book, or whatever) like a flock of sheep or lemmings. Or perhaps we could just get all the lemmings to jump off the edge of the Earth, ’cause the Earth is flat, right?
I love you!
I find it disappointing that California didn’t pass it. I thought that the States were supposed to be one of the free-est places out there. With that said, Canada has had same-sex marriages, same-sex common-law marriages and same-sex divorces, just like opposite-sex ones since like 2005 or so. If two people are in love, then I don’t get the idea of not being able to make that relationship “official”.
Thank you for this. My partner and I were really dismayed when we found out Prop 8 passed – It is the most hateful and unjust proposition. I agree that the constitution is meant to equalize human beings, not take rights away. Churches and synagogues and mosques can do what they like, but civil marriage should not be up to any religion (in this case, conservative Mormons and Catholics and evangelical Christians for the most part) to decide who can and can’t partake.
P.S. Extra tall soy SF vanilla…and tomorrow is Randy and my 3rd Anniversary. Most of all, I choose LOVE over hate.
You can be certain there where alot of us here in cali disappointed as well. both straight and gay.
Oh and venti vanilla latte breva please.
Eloquent post, Steve- you are so right. Love is love and it’s sad that there are people out there who don’t see it that way. The passing of Prop 8 was definitely a sad spot in an otherwise victorious day. The outcry against it, just based on what I’ve seen from my facebook network, makes me hope that it’s not over. The fact that so many people would vote in favor of a bigoted amendment reminds me of the general dismay I’ve felt for this country in the past 8 years, despite the hopefulness I feel now.
(((steve)))
Once again the actions of people have left me speechless. To feel so threatened by an act of love is dismaying to me. How can people vote to pass such obvious discrimination? There are no words that will ever explain this to me. I’m amazed and appalled.
And I think my coffee order tomorrow morning will have so much more significance than any other morning. Maybe the aroma from my drip coffee with Cinnamon Dolce flavoring and nonfat milk (cold please, not steamed) will help WAKE up those who obviously slept through their obligations to their fellow human beings.
YOU, my friend, are VERY loved.
-Kate
PS. ONE day, you, Ginger and I WILL park our butts around a coffee table and gabs for hours. Let it be!
Can I just say this too: There was a time in our nation when even my own partnership/marriage would have been banned and unlawful.
I REFUSE to believe that we continue to be powerless in the face of bigotry, hatred and fear.
Where there is a will to change the world, we will find the way.
We must. We owe it to ourselves, our family, our friends and our future generations.
((((Steve)))) (and to The Artist)-I thought of you and The Artist (and many of my other friends) when I heard about prop 8 passing. The whole country should be going completely the other way. It’s insane, it’s sad, it’s infuriating … and so many other things. Olbermann did a fantastic job. I totally relate to his passion on this topic (I’ve had the conversation many times myself). I sincerely hope he got through to some folks. But, the illegality of gay marriage is against equal rights, plain and simple, and because of that fact, the laws will have to change. We all have to spread love and awareness and keep giving analogies like your choice one and, hopefully, more and more people who voted for such laws originally will get it and vote the just way the next time.
I want to echo what Kate said- if my parents were just 10 years older, their interracial relationship would have been forbidden and I wouldn’t exist. I won’t say that racial intolerance isn’t out there, but I think most people don’t think anything of an interracial couple anymore. This irrational fear that some people have of same-sex couples will go away as people open their minds!
Oh Steve. I for one applaud you for using your GF platform to speak to such an important social issue.
The fact is, sexual orientation is no more a choice than living in a body completely unable to process gluten. I mean, I like my gluten free living now (compared to the glutenous alternative I used to live), but um, if I could choose? Yeah, I think I’d forgo it. …My point is, this is your webspace so say what you want – and the fact that yours is already devoted to a social / personal health issue? Even more reason to do so.
I actually realized I lost a subscriber after my pro-Obama post, but whatever. I said what I wanted to say and I’m glad I did. We now have a president who cares about healthcare – that’s worth more than a subscriber or too in my book.
You shouldn’t appologize. If people don’t like it, then they don’t have to read it, right? I for one, enjoy what you have to say.
Agreed. I applaud you having the guts to write about this. I wish I wasn’t so squeamish about political stuff. Just makes me so nervous. Especially with the political climate lately. Things are especially touchy after elections.
One step forward, two steps back. Sheesh!
At least we’ve taken one step forward. Since shortly after the Revolution in 1776, we’ve chosen the path of evolution instead. It’s slow. It took most of my lifetime for us to make the recent one step forward, as a country.
It’s like the government has mandated “Only blond girls will marry. Brunettes will not.”
“But, but . . . I’m allergic to hair color and I don’t want to be a blond anyway. I am not a blonde!”
I’ve been delighted to see the great news coverage of the many protests of Prop 8. It was a very close vote. The decision was made by only that extra 2%. The wording could have confused some, maybe even 2%.
I’m with Ginger, I vote for love. I’m on your side, Steve!
I was so hopeful when they announced Obama as our next President and the next morning, so disappointed that the morality police had pushed their Prop 8 agenda and won. Ignorance won again.
Thanks for this post! It saddens me that every day in America groups spend money to spread hate. Money that could be used to prevent child abuse, hunger, rape, hell if they want something really simple fires.
Millions of dollars are spent every year on these campaigns and elections to create restrictions on/in the lives of other people. I cannot even wrap my brain around how a straight couple that has never been posed with being gay, loved a gay person (though I am sure they have and don’t know it) can feel they have the right to make that decision for someone else.
That is like a gluten tolerate person telling me I should just eat bread, because that is the “normal” way of the world. Well guess what it is BS and there are way better things than “sliced bread”. Like Freedom and Love!