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A Note to Homosexual and Heterosexual Americans |
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As a straight man, I would like to express to all gay and lesbian citizens of this country my deep sorrow over the setbacks for your civil rights in this election. And I would like to express to all Americans that we cannot tolerate discrimination of any sort in the United States.
With Floridians, Arizonans, and (it seems) Californians voting to ban gay marriage, and the people of Arkansas voting to ban gay adoption, we’ve received painful news not just for homosexual Americans, but for all Americans. I would think that these setbacks are particularly painful given that many homosexual activists, from bloggers to campaign staffers to volunteers, gave their all for the victory of President-Elect Obama. As many newspapers at home and abroad speak of turning the page on discrimination, it’s clear that that’s not the case. We still have a long way to go before all our citizens have the rights they deserve, and even further to go before institutional discrimination in the workplace, real estate sales, and other sectors of public and private life is erased.
If it is any consolation, I believe that gay people are winning the cultural war - and though that did not translate into success at the ballot box yesterday, it will one day soon. In America, the struggle for the enfranchisement of every adult citizen and the granting of full civil rights to all citizens regardless of their race, sex, gender, religion, or sexual orientation has tended to flow in one direction - toward that of an open and democratic society - though not without major tragedies along the way.
With the expression of gay identity becoming more acceptable in films, songs, nightlife, and even high schools, I believe it is only a matter of time before a sea change occurs. Young people, even young evangelicals from what I’ve heard now several times, have a fundamentally different attitude toward homosexuality than previous generations. If this election marks the beginning of our political come-up, then let a major part of that come-up be the quest to remove this national shame from our collective identity and collective conscience by striking down discriminatory laws, initiatives, and politicians.
Because victory in the cultural struggle is clearly not enough. We need victory at the ballot box as well, and the best way to achieve that, in my opinion, is by stating now - as voters, as partisans, as Americans - that discrimination and equivocation on the issue of gay rights are unacceptable. We are past the point where we can tolerate politicians who propose one set of rights for one set of citizens, and a different set of rights for another group of citizens, and justify it based on electoral caution. We must not equivocate on issues of basic human rights, and we must not allow our leaders to do so either.
I repeat that this moment is one of deep sorrow, but I will also say that for me, and doubtless for others, it comes as a wake-up call. I had faith that California would reject discrimination. I was under-informed about other ballot initiatives. Clearly there is work to do, and it’s not just the priority of one group - it must be a priority of all Americans, because where we stand on discrimination of any type determines in large measure the legacy we pass on to our children and to history.
absolutely a travesty.
Fully agreed. As a Floridian (who was confident the amendment would fail) I was abhorred last night to learn it passed.
If there is any silver lining, it is that perhaps now we can start building a Supreme Court that will settle this issue once and for all, by outlawing marriage discrimination in all 50 states.
Yeah, I’m in Florida too and for some reason I thought we were passed this debate and ready for ‘change.’ I guess everyone was so into the presidential election that some of the other measures and offices slipped off the radar and debate. I was also disappointed to see that the majority of our state voted to uphold that archaic 19th century clause that was originally designed to prevent Asians from owning property.
Wow dude, that is just like WAY too cool man. Well done.
JIff
http://www.datools.echoz.com
I was unaware that the proposition passed, that is horrible. I agree with you 100%! I am a heterosexual woman but my mom is gay and I don’t see why people are worried about who other people want to marry. It is not my place or anyone else to tell people who to love and spend their life with.
Ha… they had this coming. Try again.
As a Canadian living on the outside of all of this and looking in I have to agree whole heartedly with Mr. Thurston’s writings. We have had gay marriage in Canada for some time now and our country has not fallen appart. This is not an issue of religion, but more of fundamental human rights. From a straight male that has been married for 30 years and thoroughly enjoying life in the true land of the free.
As a Californian, I am disgusted by the way the people in the Christian community have removed the rights for a large community in this country. I may not be gay, but I do believe that our brothers and sisters have been dealt a serious blow to their rights. I am confused how one of the most progressive states in our fair country could pass such a law. I do hope for a challenge in the courts. I now live in one of the least tolerant states (Texas) and am, frankly shocked that Prop. 8 passed. A sad day for equal rights in this country.
good luck in the future..
Alex, thank you for your support and kind words. Our straight allies are a light in dark places, as Galadriel says
Stole it and quietly added it to my blog. If I could have been more eloquent, I would have. Sorry, for the blatant theft but the tears you brought me need to spread.
V
The right to marry is perhaps a simple human right that should be available to all but I have always been baffled why the gay community, a cutting-edge force within our culture, would be interested in adopting what is essentially a limiting and old-fashioned religious practice. Notwithstanding the legal issues of taxes and inheritance, isn’t there another way? Perhaps not.
Martinus,
There are gay/lesbian people who are just as religious as the next person and would love to have marriage be inclusive. There is enough evidence that early churches regularly performed same-sex marriages. Marriage also conveys some fundamental spousal privileges, such as being visitation right in hospital. How would you feel if your partner was critically ill, and the authorities refuse you access to him/her or they insisted on havibg his/her parents making critical decisions? International-wise, of course, there are many treaties governing the recognition of marriages which no other civil/legal arrangement would be able to benefit from.
That all aside, having different sets of rules for gay/lesbian people puts accross the not-too-subtle message that we’re equal, but… And history has shown quite clearly that ‘Separate, but Equal’ touches on people’s dignity and selfworth.
The solution here in South Africa is for the couple to decide whether they want to register a Civil Union or Marriage (one extra form to complete) depending on their personal point of view. State officials may opt out if they have objections in which case another official will be made available.
It’s not all just death and taxes in the end
My 2c
first off thank you for the support. i am a californian and i am bi(although no one really knows this yet). i worked hard to campaign for no on prop 8 which would take away the right for us to marry. i stood up against many people and convinced some of them, but i obviously couldn’t get them all. i was really dissapointed and devistated when i saw that there was no hope of destroying the proposition anymore. i thought california would rise above the others as it has in the past, to show that we are tolerant. the prop barely passed but it passed none the less. we are taking it to the supreme court and the prop will probably be shot down there but it still hurts to know that the majority of my state thinks i deserve less rights than them.
if reddit and digg were fair and democratic then you would see the other side pushed up but as expected its the lazy, momma spoon fed, gimme gimme and i know it all age group that dont understand consequences for sin. They do have the ingenuity to program and spend valuable company time, from confessions,
to prop up their agendas. These types seldom worked an honest day in their life and would only speak out until it starts to hurt them. They are arm chaired soldiers who wouldnt really risk their lives for something meaningful but in the comfort of their easy chair they boldy claim “company so and so F(**K you!
Ask someone dying from aids, ask someone who has been terrorised by the wanna be rock n roller type who think that
its all a party and drive over people as if with a mac truck but not noticing any casualities due to the loud music. they are insensitive, cold, selfish, lovers of money and pleasure but haters of good and righteousness. t
Agree 100 percent.
I thought the Arkansas measure to ban gays from adopting was especially mean-spirited.
I fear that battling stupidity, ignorance, and bigotry will be America’s real war without end.
And sometimes I’m not so sure we’re going to win.
I voted Yes on Proposition 8 in California to amend the state’s constitution to make marriage between a man and a woman only and I am happy that it has passed.
You must be so proud to discriminate. Do you feel like a real man now?
oh don’t stop there bill. i think everyone who reads this would love to know why you voted yes on prop 8. why you chose to support disctimination and why this makesy you happy is probably a very interesting story full of contradiction and hypocricy, so please share.
Prop 8 = give a dog a bone.
When will Americans wake the hell up? This isn’t a California issue. This is a human rights issue. American homosexuals deserve equal rights ….exactly those of American heterosexuals, in name and in impact. Face it. Americans are behind the times. We still have the death penalty! That puts us on the list with Afghanistan and Yemen. Hahhahaha. This is no progressive country. This is a joke.
Who the hell is Obama to think that homosexuals should “have the same rights” but not be married. Shame shame shame on all of you who voted! Shame on this arrogant, polluting, resource-sucking country. I could only laugh at the naivete shown by the Americans this past election day.
I am so proud that I did not go against my conscience and vote this election, in spite of all the coworkers who smugly wore their “I voted” stickers and were appalled I didn’t…the same people who have never volunteered so much as an hour of their time to help their community what me to be impressed by the few hours they spent in line voting for god only knows what.
Shame, America, Shame!
Petey ( OK…Chill, Pete, chill)
thank you so much for your words. they are inspiring and help to put my heart at ease…