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Today’s ruling by the Supreme Court of California which upheld Prop 8 marks a sad day not only for the gay and lesbian communities but for every American citizen. When the civil rights of any one of us are denied we are all denied. Though the unions of the 18,000+ couples who were wed before Prop 8 was passed in November will not be dissolved, Chief Justice Ronald George stated:
“same-sex couples continue to enjoy the same substantive core benefits … as those enjoyed by opposite-sex couples, including the constitutional right to enter into an officially recognized and protected family relationship with the person of one’s choice and to raise children.” George said voters have added “the sole, albeit significant, exception that the designation of ‘marriage’ is … now reserved for opposite-sex couples.”
Since I first heard about today’s ruling I have fluctuated between overwhelming frustration and deep sadness. I honestly expected more from not only my state but my government. A ruling like this is genuinely archaic in a modern world. It serves to remind us all that though we have our first African American president, discrimination and violation of the civil rights of citizens of this country is alive and well.
Hearing the phrase “opposite sex couples” brings to mind Carrie Prejean and I can’t help but wonder how much her ignorant and backwater statements have validated the bigots who have been “yes-on-hate”.
Iowa, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut and Maine Supreme Courts have already legalized gay marriage… which makes the fact that California has had such a tug of war going on all the more shocking. I mean, I can legally smoke pot but I can’t legally marry whomever I want?
Why is this up for debate anyway? There is supposed to be a separation between church and state. This proposition has been backed mainly by Christian and Mormon (out of state, no less!) groups. Mormon groups used church money to financially back Prop 8, which according to the law, should mean their churches tax exempt status should be revoked. Why do some of these religious groups think that they are entitled to quite literally force others to live the way they believe?
We have lost the battle on this one, but I still believe we will win the war. Prop 8 passed with a mere 52%, such a close margin that I believe some grass roots education will help a great deal. Additionally, activist groups have already begun talks of adding another constituational ammendment to the ballot in 2010 or 2012.
Check out my video of the Downtown LA protest, also from November. I don’t know if I will be able to make it out to any of the protests tonight but I am going to try: and I encourage you to also! You can find out where there are organized protests near you here.
May 27th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
I spent most of my day yesterday in a Facebook “discussion” with a man who quoted the Bible in all his responses (a) as if I cared and (b) as if it had anything to do with a discussion on why a group of people’s rights are being denied.
It’s all incredibly heart-breaking and frustrating. But our past has shown that others have successfully “won” their rights back. So, it’s only a matter of time and hard work before these rights are also acknowledged.
May 27th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
The whole quoting the bible thing is fine: think what you want to think. What YOU want to think. It’s when those beliefs are shoved down the throats of others and literally forced upon those who have different beliefs that it becomes a concern.
Rosey, did you see this post?
http://lifeonblast.com/?p=588
I’d be interested in your thoughts…
June 8th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
I believe in everyone has equal no matter whom they love. I am straight myself but i do have gay and bi friends who are in love with someone of the same sex. We all should be able to love and live with whoever we want to. To me people need to listen to a lyric from a beatles song “All we need is love”. Its written in religion that we are to love each other but its also the religion putting down what is considered a marriage. I think part of the issue is that there is no separation of church and state because some politicians are members of religions that believe same sex marriage is wrong. Also i see that people are to hardened in traditional ways that they cannot see love before them no matter in what form. Someday I believe in people will be given the complete right to choose in love whomever and the benefits that go with being in a marriage.
June 10th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
As a Minority, I still do no understand how people in my ethnic community can voice and be in favor of laws that make it okay to treat someone different based on their differences.
People need to really understand that our founding fathers made the point to mention the separation of church and state for a reason.
The amount of money and energy spent on both sides. We could take those efforts and feed the hungry in the state of California.
#my2cents
July 26th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Thank you for this! The pendulum is swinging back and forth regarding human rights. Even if Gay Marriage is legal in some states, it may not be recognized in others. And that’s bad if your spouse ends up in a hospital outside the state that recognizes it.