Let Freedom Ring
[Disclaimer: I know some of you like to view my blog with your kids. You should send them to watch Dora right now. I’m just saying.]
I don’t usually ever get political here on my blog. But I’ve been seething about something since even before November 4, 2008. Were it not for Barack Obama beating John McCain to become our 44th president on Tuesday night, I might be led to spit in the face of someone with a certain sign in their front yard, or a bumper sticker on their SUV (usually right next to their McCain/Palin sticker). But my thrill from Obama’s victory makes me want to be a better American, so I refrain. And also, BARACK OBAMA IS OUR NEW PRESIDENT! Hooray!
What has caused my rage is Proposition 8, or as it should be called “Proposition Hate.” You know the one, the idiot proposition that passed on Tuesday which means that the California Constitution will be AMENDED to REMOVE the RIGHT of homosexuals to marry. Now, it’s been a while since I’ve been in school, but I seem to recall from history class that amendments are written to GRANT rights, not take them away. And those amendments are usually written to give rights to those who were previously unfairly judged and discriminated against. But this time, my home state of California has chosen to amend our constitution TO judge and discriminate. It’s despicable and it makes me want to puke on someone’s lawn, right next to that bright yellow and blue sign showing a stick-figure hetero family holding hands. (Yes, the signs are still up.)
So congratulations California. You’ve made me angry at people I don’t even know. I’m mad at those people who put this proposition on the ballot in the first place. People who can’t leave well enough alone. People who DON’T EVEN LIVE IN CALIFORNIA and donated money to support this proposition.
Apparently more than half of California voters busy themselves with gay people’s business and decided to take away their right to marry. But no one can no one ever will take away their right to love one another. Also, and this is a big FYI – even if they cannot marry, there will always BE gay people. Always. They’ll still work with you, be parents to your kids’ classmates, ring up your groceries, and OH MY GOD give you medical examinations.
“Civil ceremonies are a ridiculous consolation prize. Same-sex couples should be treated like PEOPLE, because that’s what THEY ARE. I have many, many gay friends and it makes me sad to know that they can no longer marry. Matte and I photographed a gay wedding ceremony on the 26th of October. The couple wanted to be sure to get married soon, just in case, and didn’t have time or money to plan for a professional photographer. There was so much love at that wedding. The families were thrilled, everyone was smiling, and people (not even guests at the wedding) came up afterward and told the girls they hoped other couples would still be able to join lives in marriage after November 4.
How did this state full of “crazy” bleeding-heart liberals let this pass? And let it pass in the same year we elected our FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESIDENT? WTF California? In case my feelings for Prop 8 are not clear from reading this, here’s a photo that sums it up:
*I got this idea from Alison, who got it from AndreAnna, who got it from Swistle, who got it from Allen.
Excellent photo! (I can tell you didn’t do it with a webcam, as I did.)
And excellent post. I’m going to edit my own post to include a link to yours.
You already know how I feel about this. But today, I found out someone very close to me voted yes. And I could not even be mad. I just started to cry. This whole thing breaks my heart. I am attending a wedding reception this month of 2 people who have no idea if what they did will be legal come next year. People need to go back to the basics…separation of church and state…In my mind a “marriage” is a LEGAL term. It creates a contract between two people – so keep your freaking religion out of it. I do not have any diamonds to flip anyone off…but trust me, both fingers are flying high!
Cathy! Awesome Post!!
People are freakin’ NUTS!
The other day before the election there were about 30-40 people on the corner of a major intersection holding the Hold the HATE signs. ALL OF THEM HAD LIES ON THEM! WTF! I don’t get people! Lets repeal this damn prop and get it over with, you know it will happen!!!!
Great pic BTW!!
🙂
WTF California, indeed! I love the way people voted to protect the rights of livestock (Prop 2), while also voting to take away the rights of HUMANS. It’s completely ridiculous.
I’m so disgusted about this whole thing I could just spit.
And it’s not just California! I can’t for the life of me figure out what there is about gay marriage that freaks people out. How do they think it will change their lives? It will change some day. Eventually all the old, poopy, homophobic, over-religious people will fade away and common sense will prevail.
WOOT! I am immediately in love with you. I would propose, except for STUPID PROP 8. Oh, and I’m already married. But otherwise!
What you said and more (sorry, I’ve got to add to your rant)! I still lived in California when the Knight initiative passed and I was so disappointed. I thought for sure that this year would be different, and oh how I wished I hadn’t re-registered here in Michigan. I can’t believe the level of hate that it takes for all those people to pass that proposition. At a time when we can elect a black president we can’t let people marry the people they want to. Oh, and civil unions? Isn’t that “separate but equal” – we all know how well that works out. Sorry, stepping off my soap box now.
Dude – I had this big old rant to add to yours and the internet ate it! But I totally agree, it’s absolute insanity that it should pass – I am incredibly disappointed with my former state.
I completely agree!
Word! My feelings exactly…
I blame lack of outreach to certain communities for the passing of the proposition. When I arrived at my dad’s house on Friday morning, there was a long discussion on this topic — started by my dad’s disbelief that 70% of African American voters voted yes on the proposition. My dad’s feeling was that anything that is a civil rights issue should never be allowed on the ballot. He said, “What’s next? If someone gets enough signatures on a petition, could they put a proposition on the ballot asking for the return of slavery?”
Also, I highly recommend the site http://www.stop8.org. They have links to all the organizations that are holding protests/rallies as well as other suggestions of what individuals can do.
[…] picture from me but go visit my wife’s blog and she can tell you how we both feel. Keith Olberman (in the video above) says it incredibly well […]
Word.
No matter how hard I try, I can’t wrap my head around this particular prejudice. It makes no sense! (Okay, that makes it sound like I CAN wrap my head around other prejudices, and really…I’m stumped there, too.) Arrghh.
Isn’t it sad, when there are so many important things in the world that need to be done, that so much time and money gets spent on punishing people because of who they love?