Anti-Gay Ballot Measures and the LGBT Community
Wednesday November 5, 2008
"Bittersweet." That was the title of an email I received today from a national gay and lesbian organization. It sums up how I feel exactly. While on the one hand I am ecstatic about the history-making election of Barack Obama, I am saddened about the passage of four anti-gay ballot measures across the country.
After celebrating the election of Barack Obama last night, I went online to research the anti-gay ballot measures in four states. Learning that three had passed and the other was likely to, my mood immediately deflated. I had a flashback to November 2004 when voters in 11 states passed anti-gay marriage initiatives. My friends and I went into a state of mourning. Do anti-gay initiatives have a negative impact on the mental health of the LGBT community? A new study confirms that they do: Anti-Gay Ballot Measures and the mental health of the LGBT Community.
© Photo by Kristen Price
Comments
A step forward for equality?????
How can it be that the country has come far enough to elect a black man as President by a landslide, and yet on the same day pass every anti-gay ballot measure put to vote?
It was not that long ago in the U.S. that blacks and latinos were not allowed to marry white people. Can you imagine if that were the case today? It seems to me that in some ways being gay today is like being black a couple of generations ago. It is no longer socially acceptable to discriminate against someone for the color of their skin. How is it so acceptable to condemn someone for who they love? I can no more change my sexuality than my skin color.
I hope that a generation or two from now it seems a ridiculous notion that at one time gays and lesbians were not allowed to be married!
When is the LGBTQ party going to stop supporting Democrats who don’t support us. Obama doesn’t support marriage equality. His own words were used to encourage voters to vote yes on prop 8. When are we going to stop being so complicit and co-dependent. If the Dems supported our issues, none of these marriage amendments would have passed. They are bigots. Anyone who doesn’t support full equality is a bigot because it obviously means that they feel that the LGBTQ community is “less than”. I for one, will NEVER, vote for another Democrat again - even those that are my friend. We must get this party to change and the only way is to vote for a party that does support full equality - like the Greens or many independents like Sheehan.
Tara, love your comment. Wonder though: if we wouldn’t call it marriage but something else and it would give us the exact same rights, would that maybe be a step forward? Yes I know, we all want it NOW and there shouldn’t be a difference, but what’s in a name?
As a lesbian, watching the 2008 elections, I felt sad to see proposition 8 pass with the California voters. This is a setback in civil rights, maintaining inequality, as heterosexuals are preserved with privilege and power, while the LGBT community continues to be marginalized.
The campaign for proposition 8 is based on fear, and intolerance of families that are different than proposition 8 proponent’s conditioning of what family “should” be. The arguments we hear from the yes on proposition 8 proponents, are basically the same arguments we heard from people opposing interracial marriage.
It is ironic that these pious, religious conservatives want to “protect” their children, yet are the first to bring up sexuality. For me, as I would guess many heterosexuals would agree, marriage is so much more than sexuality. Marriage is a lifetime commitment to love, honor and be faithful to my partner. The formal ceremony is a time of celebration and declaration of my love for my partner in the presence of friends, family, and community.
Just like heterosexuals, I am a mother, have an extended family, and am an active member in my community and church. My stand to legalize gay marriage is asking for my community to recognize my partner as my spouse. On a personal level this includes my partner being included in family functions, social functions at work and inclusion in the community as a couple. We are basically asking for to have the same rights as a heterosexual couples have.
How about some positive news? Connecticut WILL allow gay marriage!!
Today is Day Two of the emotional hangover.
I’ve never used the word bittersweet so many times in a 30-hour period, and am still reeling from the losses around the country.
My thoughts and feelings are still percolating, and although I am disappointed, there is a hardy sprouting seed in my heart. Connecticut, Massachusetts - these are the beginnings. Dom.Partnerships are pre-beginnings. I believe that we can all make this happen, and probably in my lifetime.
These measures, from what little I know of the law, do not trump supreme court rulings. I feel certain that it is only a matter of time. Gay citizens, as taxpayers,participants in the military, and increasingly, out law-makers, will find their way to courts of law.
just as African Americans were destined to have their day in the sun so too shall Gay citizens. We cannot be denied.
Commiserations from Australia.
The previous conservative government here wrote an equivalent to your Proposition 8 into federal law. We all hoped that the election of a different government in December last year would mean a reversal of this - they actually promised it - but in the end they proved themselves gutless in the face of the loud mouths and deep pockets of the Religious Right and reneged on their promise.
Oh, and “marriage by another name”? The religious in my country have squashed even a second-class version called a “civil union.”
Unlike slavery and “mixed marriage,” this is something that goes deep into the soul of religious conservatives and which they will NEVER give in on without a fight. I sincerely hope that my wonderful partner and I can marry soon, but I’m not “hanging up my guns” yet.
Yours in Solidarity,
Sally
I am upset about this erroneous finger pointing at African-Americans regarding Proposition 8. Why are you so quick to believe whatever you hear? If someone told me 70 percent of gay people voted against Obama my first thought would be, excuse me Jesus, that is crap! I don’t believe it! This political year was fraught with right wing lies. Bear that in mind.
“Religious organizations that support Proposition 8 include the Roman Catholic Church], Knights of Columbus, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) a group of Evangelical Christians led by Jim Garlow and Miles McPherson, American Family Association, Focus on the Family[and the National Organization for Marriage Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church, California’s largest, has also endorsed the measure. The Bishops of the California Catholic Conference released a statement supporting the proposition. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) has publicly supported the proposition and encouraged their membership to support it, by asking its members to donate money and volunteer time. The First Presidency of the church announced its support for Proposition 8 in a letter read in every congregation. Latter-day Saints have provided a significant source for financial donations in support of the proposition, both inside and outside the State of California. About 45% of out-of-state contributions to Protect Marriage.com has come from Utah, over three times more than any other state.”
Still, even though gays were fighting to preserve a basic right, it was the anti-equality side in California that seemed to have the most fervor. A symbolic low point for the gay side came on Oct. 13, when the Sacramento Bee ran a remarkable story about Rick and Pam Patterson, a Mormon couple of modest means - he drives a 10-year-old Honda Civic, she raises their five boys - who had withdrawn $50,000 from their savings account and given it to the pro-8 campaign. “It was a decision we made very prayerfully,” Pam Patterson, 48, told the Bee’s Jennifer Garza. “Was it an easy decision? No. But it was a clear decision, one that had so much potential to benefit our children and their children.”
This is your real enemy. I think they are pitting one group against the other. African-Americans are less than 7% of the state population, do the math. And they do not have the money to fund a tens of millions of dollars Proposition 8 campaign. Note that they also targeted affirmative action for eradication in another state.
Rather than be upset at the phantom African-American menace, put forth a gay candidate for office and fight like hell. No one gave Obama anything and they will not give gays anything either. Obama stands on the shoulders of a lot of brave people who gave their lives for him to stand on that podium last night.
Never trust exits polls because in all my years of life, no one has ever been seen at a polling place asking anyone anything when they left.