Oct 21 2008
Just Say No
THIS IS THE TIME FOR LOVE TO STEP UP AND SHOW HATE HOW TO DANCE.
Someone much stronger and wiser than me said that to me the other day, and it has shuffled about in my head ever since. I don’t want to touch hate, I don’t want it anywhere near me or my family, and yet it is all around, it’s right over there in the corner. I have two choices: I can ignore it, or I can take its hand and lead it to the floor. I can be silent, or I can not be.
Proposition 8 eliminates the constitutional right of same sex couples to marry in California. I don’t live in California, and I’m not gay, and that is no excuse for me at all to think this doesn’t affect me. It affects all of us. It is a huge step BACKWARDS in the mitigated progress our country has made in tackling discrimination. Hell, we can’t even try to elect a man with dark skin and an untimely middle name to the office of President without 1/3 of the nation calling him a terrorist. We have a long way to go, but the one thing I thought we’d already covered was this:
All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
I don’t much like it that guns are legal, and I’m pretty sure that a gun could do a whole lot more damage to my child than two dudes getting hitched could, but you have the constitutional right to carry one, and I am never, ever going to try to take that away from you, no matter how misinterpreted, outdated and downright dangerous I find that right to be. My opinion does not dictate yours.
My opinion about Proposition 8 should not and will not dictate yours, either. I just can’t understand why someone should be put into the position where they felt that they had to fight for the right to keep their family together? Why would we put someone in that position? Are we that cruel a nation?
THIS IS THE TIME FOR LOVE TO STEP UP AND SHOW HATE HOW TO DANCE.
My cousin and her amazing, loving wife have a brand new baby girl. It took them forever to get pregnant, and the pregnancy was really hard, but they got their baby, my little niece Ella. Their family is finally complete after almost a decade of trying. They are beyond happy and fulfilled. They are wonderful mothers. BOTH OF THEM.
My best couple-friends just finalized their adoption of a little baby boy, a choice they made after the IV fertilization failed and the frozen eggs were all used up. The second they laid eyes on that boy, they fell to their knees and cried. I sat with them two months ago, and watched them chase their baby around the house, watched them sing him to sleep, and you have never in your life seen two more awe-struck, charmed parents in your whole life. They were born to be fathers to that child, BOTH OF THEM.
Polly, oh Polly. I’m not even going to try to put it into words. Here:
That is a family; a real, living, breathing family and they need each other just as much as you need your husband or your wife or your mother or your father. Those two love those children, their beautiful children, with every single tiny inch of their being. And those children, well, look at them. That is joy. That is love. I came from a couple married in the church and I never once had that look on my face my entire childhood.
THIS IS THE TIME FOR LOVE TO STEP UP AND SHOW HATE HOW TO DANCE.
Your family is not in danger, but theirs are. Someone wants to tell them that what they have is wrong and a lie and unnatural. And what they have is dinners and coloring books and diaper changes and Backyardigans reruns. They only difference is that they had to fight a lot harder for it than you or I did, and that a whole lot of people hate them for it.
THIS IS THE TIME FOR LOVE TO STEP UP AND SHOW HATE HOW TO DANCE.
It is time for us to stand up, as a nation, as human beings, and say that family is important, no matter what twist your family takes. Whether you are gay, or lesbian, or straight, or a parent, or single or childless or adoptive or fostering or a single parent, you have the inalienable right to pursue your happiness. I think the world could use a little more happy, solid, loving couples. I think that we could all learn a lesson in what devotion is, against all odds.
If Elizabeth Taylor can do it 7 times, why can’t they?
THIS IS THE TIME FOR LOVE TO STEP UP AND SHOW HATE HOW TO DANCE.
Let’s show them how we dance. Let’s tell California that we as a nation believe in the right of every citizen to have a family, to have the basic, legal rights afforded any straight American over the age of 18 with an ink pen, a buzz and a witness dressed like Elvis. Please, talk to your friends, write on your blogs, donate to the cause if you can, send a letter to Arnold and say no. No, we will not step backwards into history. No, we will not discriminate against people based on ANYTHING. No, this is not a Theocracy, and one religious groups beliefs do not constitutional amendments make. This is America, and last time I checked, we offered liberty and justice for all.
Updates: Florida and Arizona are trying to pass similar amendments. Read these two posts for more on the Arizona amendment.
Comments close after 14 days. And there's Captcha if you're nasty. 89 Comments to “Just Say No”
In years past society’s perception of gay people forced them to hide their true nature, and to keep the lives they really wanted to lead hidden. Now society encourages gay people to be open about their sexuality, punishes those who choose to discriminate against those of different sexual orientation, yet in many ways does not afford those people the same basic rights that a heterosexual person has. I believe it’s worse that we convince ourselves that homosexuals have the same rights as heterosexuals whilst we simultaneously deny them those rights than if the changes of past years had never happened.
You are absolutely right, and I think the world should get its head out of its ass.
I’m in Canada, where it is legal for same sex couples to legally marry. For those haters? Nothing BAD has happened! Marriage still means the same thing, except we are sharing that bond with ALL of our citizens…
I see what you’re all up in arms about. I can’t imagine in being legal in America for EVERYONE to be happy and raise their families AND nuture their relationships equally. Pfft - what a revolutionary idea.
Fight, America. Let everyone have the love and devotion that they deserve. Ditch the labels. They’re archaic and useless.
Down with Proposition 8. Ignorance.
i could not, even if i tried, agree with you more about this.
as long as i can remember, i have believed that it was just fine for a gay couple to marry and to have children; whatever form that takes. just as fine as it is for me and my husband to marry and have children. i have felt this way even before i had met my first ‘gay’ couple or was introduced to the twins of a gay couple. these kids are beautiful and I mean BEUTIFUL twins!
LOVE, in my mind, is LOVE. love does not discriminate so why should we discriminate. why should we the law have the right to discriminate?
love; if and when you can find it; is a beautiful thing. seize the opportunity! let people be who and what they are.
Once upon a time, raino wrote..Ah Sundays
I wholeheartedly agree with you. Setting aside all the social crap about “natural families” (which is total bullshit based on misinterpretations of monotheistic scripture, but that’s another topic for another time), what’s really at stake here is a precedent for removing rights. It’s a slippery slope I’m surprised more Americans aren’t concerned about… probably because of the Homer Simpson attitude: “It’s funny because it’s not happening to me.”
Once upon a time, SciFi Dad wrote..An Update Of Sorts
Thank you so much. Very well said.
You are right on! I love reading your blog….please don’t stop!
Once upon a time, Darcie wrote..Cinnaminni Goodness
Amen. Thank you.
Once upon a time, Maria wrote..tell me something good
Hey Lady! I “live” in California………….and I am sick the fuck of hearing about this shit! No amount of arguing about this is going to change anyones’ mind one way or the other. Show how you feel by getting out there and rocking the fucking vote! I have cast my ballot……….so let’s just see what happens now……….m’kay? Peace, Mike.
P.S. Get the fuck off of my lawn.
The thing that gets me about this proposition is not just the hideous nature of it, but the terrifying step it represents. Once gays lose their right to marry, who is next? Will they tell us that bi-racial families are no longer allowed to recognized by the state? Which minority group will be next to be stripped of some inalienable right? Should Latinos lose their right to vote? Or maybe Jews will be forced to wear an armband? This is scary shit yo. The worst part? If it is defeated (which I’m not sure it will be), they’ll just put a new one up next election. This is a tiny battle in a long war. So sad…
All men are created equal … unless you don’t like them, according to some of our greatest touters of “freedom.” Sigh.
Once upon a time, always home and uncool wrote..Sleeping With My Daughter
I hope you get a million comments on this one, all telling you how awesome you are.
It’s Amendment 2 here in Florida. Or, the “One Man. One Woman” vote.
Makes me nauseous.
I really really don’t understand how these people think it’s OK to limit the constitution rather than let things be. I’m not happy with the way things are as it is now in FL, but by adding an amendment to limit people further, just doesn’t make sense. I feel sick just thinking that this garbage will pass, because not only will it limit same-sex couples, it limits all couples who are not married.
I need to move to Canada.
Wow, thanks for that awesome call to action! What a moving tribute to your friends and the fabulous families they have created. I have always been an advocate for and a believer in liberty and justice for all, and have spent countless hours volunteering to support the rights of the GLBT community in many ways. And I’m not a lesbian; just someone with a lot of empathy (and probably a smidgen of persecution complex from being born a Jew?) Dunno. Doesn’t matter. Writing to Schwartznegger now.
Dude, we are on the same wavelength! I wrote about this today, and yeah! Fuck Prop H8!
Signed,
Californian Who is Voting No
Once upon a time, anna wrote..7 Ideas for Lists That I Started and Subsequently Abandoned, and The Reasonings Behind Those Abandonments, In Which I Swear Like a Sailor
You said it better than I could. I live in Massachusetts, where marriage for gay couples is also legal, and I do hope that Prop 8 fails because it is a slippery slope. This isn’t about whether I approve or disapprove of someone’s lifestyle choices, it is about civil rights. It is about equality and dignity for all. As my friend fights cancer, I am so glad his husband doesn’t have to worry about being denied access to him while he is in the hospital, or won’t have his status as next of kin questioned. Thank you for saying this.
Absolutely gorgeous and right on!
Once upon a time, Betsey Booms wrote..Listening To My Inner Voice
My cousin and her partner DO live in California and are the proud moms to 5 kids (one 3-year old & 7-month old quadruplets!). They absolutely deserve the right to get married, if that is their desire.
I think part of the problem is that a lot of people still think being gay is a choice. But why on earth would anyone CHOOSE such a difficult path? They are people, just like us, who are who they are. As in my cousin’s case, she fought it and fought it and was married and divorced twice before figuring it out. And now she’s happier than she’s ever been.
If people are willing to fight SO hard to get married, you can be damn sure they’re probably going to fight just as hard to STAY married. And heck, with divorce rates the way they are, we need some determined and dedicated couples to offset those numbers.
Once upon a time, Kate wrote..Conflicted
My son at 18, just came out that he is gay (we were pretty much aware but were waiting for his affirmation). I’d like for him to have everything he wants in life and if that includes marriage, then he should have that just as much as straight couples. I think that being a family is the right of everyone. I don’t understand why there are people who oppose commitment. Isn’t family values what these “conservatives” are always shouting about?
I’m going to send this post to everyone I know.
Once upon a time, mb wrote..The Time-for-Change Post
Thank you.
From a scared gay man.
Thank you.
That’s two days in a row now that you’ve made me cry!
LOL :P
Once upon a time, thedemigod wrote..Open Letter to Grocery Idiots
All you need is love—-
All you need is love….
All you need is love—-love—-
Love is all you need.
Sad and scary that The Beatles are still ahead of their time.
Once upon a time, jessica wrote..The Things We Do…
Bravo!
Once upon a time, Latte Mommy wrote..Into Each Life A Little Rain Must Fall
Beautiful. I’ve already voted no. I only wish I could vote more!
You tell it sister!
THe argument that allowing same sex marriage damages other marriages is the stupidest thing I have ever heard, but I hear it all the time. What goes on in someone else’s marriage has NOTHING to do with mine, so how does that work?
This egocentric view of the world that everyone has to be like me makes me sick
You know, I always fear that even having to talk about things like this detracts from the argument.
There shouldn’t be an argument, you shouldn’t have to write (bloody good) posts like this to make the point, enough said, I’m with you.
And not just because I’m leaking testosterone so fast I’m almost one half of a lesbian couple.
Once upon a time, Xbox4NappyRash wrote..Keeping it surreal
We have Obama and No On Prop 8 signs in our yard (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danlikeninja/2897123814/) and we’ve had a bunch of neighbors/passersby stop to tell us how they love seeing the signs.
My next door neighbor even came over to tell us that seeing the signs when she comes home at night make her day. I feel bad that her days suck so much, but I’m happy that we help make her day better.
Do you know that Arizona has a similar proposal, THAT MCCAIN BACKS?
I will be voting no, but I fully expect it to pass regardless. It sickens me. How can we add an amendment to a constitution that ensures a segment of the population never attains a certain right? Frucking judgemental hypocrites.
Google prop 102 in Arizona for information.
I will definitely be writing about this.
Once upon a time, Natalie wrote..Gluttony
Amen! Great post!
It kills me that people who are not gay think that somehow allowing gay people to marry will affect *them*. If everyone would live and let live, taking care of their own relationships, maybe more of them would actually be happier.
Mr. Lady for President 2012
(you’ll be old enough by then)
(and they think Palin is hot. You will totally steal all her votes AND Hilary’s)
Once upon a time, Marge wrote..GreeblePix Entry
The only people who care about this are the ones how are afraid that someone is having more fun in the sack than they are and they want to prevent it. That’s been the case since Plymouth Rock.
Why can’t the Puritans just do their thing and let all of us fun-loving heathens do ours? Nothing grinds my gears more than so-called small government conservatives who want to use the government to interfere in people’s lives. Can Daddy spell hypocrite?
Also, I live in Cali and would tell your homeboys and homegirls:
http://www.yesonprop2.com/
http://www.noonprop4.org/
Once upon a time, Punditdad wrote..Hedging Political Disapointment
Yeah, I really don’t get the hubbub (bub) about this. How did it even get on the ballot?
Wish the dumb stuff I wrote was half as good as this.
Once upon a time, t2ed wrote..If You Want To Be Happy For the Rest of Your Life
since the “sanctity of marriage” is supposed to be in jeopardy here… why not go in a different direction and make divorces illegal? wouldn’t that sanctify marriage even more? i hate their arguement that it’s going to ruin marriage. umm… what have us “hets” been doing? drunk marriages in vegas, being married for days and then getting divorced? it’s ridiculous.
i read somewhere that since marriage between same sex couples is so rare in states, that it’s hard for them to get a divorce. one, because their marriage might not be recognized in their home state so you can’t divorce who you’re not married to, and two, because out of state divorces aren’t handed out to people who aren’t residents of the state. or something. i think i got that right.
are you tuning in to the sara silverman show? she’s marrying her dog. because of course, that’s what’s next. should be hilarious.
*standing up and applauding this post from way over here in Massachusetts* (where gay marriage is legal - for now, anyway…)
Once upon a time, Trenches of Mommyhood wrote..Nocturnal Emissions
O, Mr Lady.
I second Marge’s call for your candidacy in 2012. Though I kinda fancy a two-term Obama presidency, so can we make it 2016?
Palin would be palin’ in comparison to you on the hottie candidate-o-meter.
Hey and t2ed, you know how Prop 8 got on the ballot? PAID SIGNATURE GATHERERS. Not, by any stretch of the imagination, by a grassroots movement, I’ll tell you that much. If the effort the Republican party is currently putting into smearing Acorn & its voter reg. drives were put into discrediting the Prop 8 signature gatherers, well. To quote our favorite blogstess, I’m just sayin’.
Thank you thank you Mr Lady, again. And thank you to your fantabulous readers for their love & support. EVERYONE’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE NO ON 8 CAMPAIGN MAKES A DIFFERENCE. The Yes ads are running at a rate of like 10:1 right now, and that poor rag-tag 11% who don’t know how they’re voting are getting overwhelmed by messages of fear and misinformation.
Finally, some entertaining fare for folks to view AFTER they’ve made their donations: Wanda Sykes on Gay Marriage. Ooo. And not at ALL suitable fer work, w/out headphones @ least.
[...] (The original article can be found here) [...]
AMEN.
It’s time to recognize that families don’t have to have a mom and a dad to work! It’s all about love.
Once upon a time, Jen wrote..Halloween Carnival
As usual, very well said. I live in Arizona, the great state of McCainism (I know!). We have a similiar measure on our ballot, called the “pro-marriage” initiative. Pro, my ass! Anyway, we are a red state (go figure!) and no one here seems that pumped up about voting for McCain, even though they won’t vote for Obama. (Go figure again… he’s been our senator for 6 terms!) It is widely held belief among liberals in my state that the conservatives put this on the ballot (it was voted down in ‘06 and now it’s back with a vengence) just to motivate their base to get out and vote, those who otherwise wouldn’t take the trip to the poll to cast a vote for a candidate they don’t really support. The campaign for a yes vote on this amendment makes me sick to my stomach because it isn’t about the “sanctity” (whatever that means) of marriage but the fear of what would happen to “real” or “normal” families if this amendment does not pass.
Anyway, I am going to try and blog about it, but you set the bar pretty high. I will link it back to your post, if that’s okay and leave another comment when I do post. Thanks, for everything you say.
Once upon a time, becky wrote..PreSchool Politics - Updated
I’m not a lawyer, so I’ll be devil’s advocate for a moment and say — I’ve heard some arguments against the idea of gay marriage that seem somewhat legitimate. Most of these arguments revolve around the word “marriage” and what it truly means. I’ve even met people who are not homophobic, but conservative, and have trouble with changing the requirements for marriage that has been the same for generations — man and woman. I don’t buy it because I am on the side of change. It is important to be inclusive. Marriage is an important legal bond, and I see why two people of the same gender shouldn’t have the same rights as everyone else. The “absurdity argument” against gay marriage is wrong. Saying that two members of the same gender can marry does not automatically permit someone to marry their sister, or their Honda Civic. While this is a silly argument, at least it is an argument with some logic, unlike the current California proposition.
To CHANGE the Constitution just to bar some group from having the same rights as everyone else is wrong… and very unconservative. Why would anyone want to take such a drastic step unless the supporters of this proposal were so fearful of “the other” and didn’t truly believe in equal protection under the law.
It is scary how hard people will fight change, even when it doesn’t affect their lives at all. Who cares if two men get married? We should be celebrating, not angry!
Once upon a time, Neil wrote..Sanford and Stanford
Fuck, yeah.
Well said, Lady.
Once upon a time, ZDub wrote..Weekend Review: Football And Meat
HA! The little present you left SERIOUSLY made my day.
Thanks for so many things today, Mr. Lady. You rock!
Once upon a time, thedemigod wrote..No To Hate
Thanks for taking an interest in the U.S.A. We’ll be around for a few more years. Good parents are good parents. Period. Different? Yes. With perhaps different results? Possibly. Find that threatening? Tough.
Thanks for treating the different people as a normal part of community life. That is what makes you American.
A very different person,
JamesOtis
Once upon a time, jamesotis wrote..Local Economy
Neil, I totally appreciate your engagement with all the thought on this whole thing (if we can’t think, what can we do, after all? no wait! don’t anwer that!). History professor Stephanie Coontz wrote a fascinating book about the 101 different forms marriage has taken over the years — Marriage, a History: From Obedience to Intimacy, or how Love Conquered Marriage — and in it, we learn that marriage has been many things over the years, but unchanging is the only thing it hasn’t been.
What I find interesting about the California State Supreme Court’s ruling on the matter was actually that they didn’t really change anything. They just saw what was always there, but in a new light.
That, to me, is big.
That is, until the 2000 CA proposition adding man & woman to the language (I think?) of the code on marriage? or family law? anyhow, “marriage” as a state-supported institution hadn’t really been heterosexually defined. That just stood to reason, because, well, heck, there are more “out” heterosexuals than “out” homosexuals. And homosexuals were presumed to be ashamed and of course not even capable of dreaming of something like equal treatment under the law. But so. The (conservative, largely Regan-appointee) state supreme court simply read the “Equal Protection” clause to properly protect marriage for same-sex couples, whom, after lengthy study, they could not justify discriminating against.
So the law stayed the same; they just finally saw that it included people who, based on years of heterosexist assumption, had previously been excluded from it. From their news release, the day they issued the ruling, they establish that the “right” to marry is a fundamental one guaranteed by the state’s constitution, and that:
Once upon a time, Polly wrote..A vested interest in the topic
Ever since the day I first read Gavin Newsome’s name I have had but one fundamental question regarding this issue. “Why in the Hell do we care so much about this issue?” I just can’t get past it. With so many pressing, life-threatening and even economic issues to keep ourselves up with at night, why would ANYONE spend even a SECOND concerning themselves with how someone else lives their life? It is SO dumb.
I was driving behind a woman in a Cadillac the other day. If it were pink she could have worked for Mary Kay. She had one….lone……bumper sticker on her car. “Marriage=[man stick figure] + [woman stick figure]“. This woman, instead of “McCain+Palin” or “Support our Troops” opted to immortalize the one opinion she felt strongly about in adhesive vinyl on the bumper of her ride. At some point, this woman made the decision to put everything else aside, get in her car, drive to the store and buy an anti-gay-marriage sticker. Good lord. To me, this is such a completely unimportant topic made important by political marketers and the media. It just seems like we have so much more to worry about. Who. Cares. People can do what they want.
Once upon a time, Matt wrote..Milestones
To anyone who wonders about kids in Gay households, do this:
Watch the documentary from Rosie O’Donnell’s family cruise. It was on HBO. (No, I do not like Rosie. Her change from soft/sugary-sweet talk show host to militant rings false with me. So what? Watch the video anyway.) Watch the interaction between the couples and their kids. Look at the LOVE on their faces. Listen to the way they talk to their kids, encourage them. Listen to the laughter of the kids, you know that laugh, the one kids make when they feel safe and happy, the best sound on earth. Hear the stories about the background of some of these adopted kids, the hell from which they were saved.
Now go to Wal-mart. Or Target. Anywhere where parents shop with their kids. Spend an hour. Listen to the way some of those “heterosexual” parents talk to their kids, the DISLIKE in their voices. Look at the fear in the kid’s eyes, the defeat in their shoulders.
Now tell me that Gay/Lesbian couples shouldn’t have kids. That they are tearing apart the moral fabric of society.
If you believe that a child is better off in an orphanage, or with people who don’t like them, than with people who treasure them and happen to be gay, you are a moron.
If you believe that your God would rather children live without love, than in a loving home with Gay parents, change churches. You’re worshiping an idiot, or more likely listening to an incorrect translation of your God’s intent given by an idiot.
I know, ‘gasp’, I’m not supposed to say such things…screw that. I am tired of seeing anyone, but most of all children, poisoned by the people who are supposed to be shaping them into loving members of society, in the name of religion. If this comment bothers you, take a look at your priorities…love should be first, before anything. If that ain’t God, I don’t know what is…
Once upon a time, miko564 wrote..Holding Hands with The Monkey
amen, sister… amen. i couldn’t have put it any better myself.
Word.
God forbid we should encourage more happy loving unions in the world. it’s just so SCAAAAAAAARY :)
Once upon a time, Happy Hour Sue wrote..Picture Day
I have one opinion on the matter and only one: There can be absolutely nothing wrong with two people loving each other, if they’re not hurting anyone else by doing it. And anyone who can soundly explain to me how people loving each other can be harmful outside of the realm of the extremely violent, incestuous or unfaithful spectrums (all of which take place in straight marriages), will get to see me put my head in the sand and pretend that they never said a damn thing. It’s love. That’s all.
Once upon a time, Zoeyjane wrote..Say Squirrel. Just say it.
I am absolutely floored. Please. Leave your husband and come marry me. Even though it is illegal with a capital I in Idaho. And even though I really like men. This is AWESOME, and yes, it affects every single person in this country. Home of the free my fat white ass…..
Once upon a time, Kori wrote..Exhaustion Schmemaustion
I can only echo what everyone here has already said.
You, my friend, bring the awesome.
Once upon a time, Don Mills Diva wrote..Oh the places he’ll go!
I love it - you summed it up beautifully! The picture also rocks, I can feel the love and warmth!
oh oh oh, mr lady. i love you more and more each day.
as the mother of a gay man who wants nothing more than to be really and truly married to his partner someday, i thank you.
from the bottom of my heart.
and then some.
Once upon a time, the planet of janet wrote..Wash wash wash your car …
Bravo.
Sad, that on this same day, on the other side of the blogosphere is this:
http://helpihaveateenager.blogspot.com/2008/10/post-where-i-throw-up.html
I was just educated today on what Prop 8 is - it blows my mind that this is going up for a vote. How can they give it, then take it away?
Thank you for your post. It is beautiful. Em
Once upon a time, Em wrote..Um, thanks, but no thanks, Heidi.
This was a great post. My best friend is gay, and so this issue is very close to my heart. It’s been a lot of self-learning through all of this. I think that he deserves the same rights and protections that I have as a straight woman.
I’m also Catholic. And I fully love and support my best friend, he’s amazing. His sexual orientation doesn’t change any of that. I think Prop 8 is on the right track, but there needs to be a clause or something in there protecting the rights of religious institutions. Under its current wording, if a religious authority (since I’m more familiar with it, let’s say a priest) refuses to perform a same-sex marriage, it leaves him and the Church open to discrimination lawsuits, with the possible consequences of losing their non-profit status and many other things. You can see why I’m conflicted about this whole thing. I think it’s definitely on the right track, this is right and should happen…but there needs to be some sort of clause for protection in there for religious institutions. I’m not sure exactly how it would need to happen, but I’m sure the lawmakers will figure it out.
This was a really great post Mr. Lady.
Wow. That was a great post. I don’t live in California, but I totally agree and think what you wrote was awesome.
Once upon a time, zandor wrote..I don’t get that
Great post !!
Maybe you should go over here and educate this blogger. Her post today really piss me off.
http://helpihaveateenager.blogspot.com/2008/10/post-where-i-throw-up.html
Once upon a time, Philly wrote..Tantalizing Tuesday
Amen, sista! I’m going to link this on my blog post haste! :)
Once upon a time, Mom to Bee wrote..Hurt so Bad
Amen!
i can officially report from Massachusetts: NOTHING HAS CHANGED since gay marriage was legalized. except that, you know, more children are protected by the same laws that protect my kids. other than that, nope. we’re all okay up in here.
i wish the very same for California.
Once upon a time, ms picket to you wrote..Ruthie’s Daughter
I’m licking my screen right now.
Once upon a time, moosh in indy. wrote..High School Boosical.
Attracting attention way down here, vote NO on 2 in Florida. Bullshit politics.
Once upon a time, Hockeyman wrote..Monday Mumbles
My son and I took it to the streets this weekend with our homemade signs and giant rainbow flag. We got a lot of thumbs-up and honking in support from people driving past!
http://badgermama.blogspot.com/2008/10/civics-lesson-on-our-street-corner.html
8-)
If I could stand up and applaud I would.
You brought tears to my eyes with this.
I love you more and more with every damn post.
Seriously. I just kissed my computer screen.
Wow.
Just. wow.
Once upon a time, Rachel wrote..Dirty Stuffed Peppers: Mouthwatering Monday
Beautiful. I feel the package matters little when parenting, it’s how you love and raise your children. Giving them love and support and raising them to be happy and productive. I wish that I could vote on this one. I hate these kinds of things and these kinds of things seem to pop up more often. The day will come when this fight is over and they will have equal rights.
Once upon a time, One Mom’s Opinion wrote..Political burnout
Brilliant, just brilliant! Funny how when they were talking about all the horrible things that were going to happen in Canada if we ever legalized same-sex marriage. Now it is such a non-issue. Amazingly enough after it became legal, people did not burst into flames, no heterosexuals tried to make it legal to marry farm animals and life just went on as before. I don’t understand other people’s need to hate, when honestly it just doesn’t affect them. If a law can create such happiness, like we see in Polly’s family, how is it evil?
Once upon a time, andi wrote..Tips for havoc-free child-outings
Oh, babe.
I?
LOVE. YOU.
Did you ever register to vote? You are almost out of time.
Once upon a time, janethesane wrote..Why don’t I just take off all my clothes
Nice post. Thanks for bringing this issue to light…leading up to election time.
Living here in Montana, I think your point about right to bear arms vs the right to marry the person you love…is so poignant. I’d feel a hell of a lot safer living next to a gay couple, than an AK 47 toting couple.
Once upon a time, Kimmelin wrote..Sexless Marriage?
You already know that I couldn’t agree more. My very dear friends are the awesome dads to two beautiful little girls. To see them in action is wonderful. How can that be wrong? As a pediatrician I have seen so called parents do terrible things to their children. Having a same sex partner is NOT one of them. I am proud to display my No on Prop 8 button. Lesbiandad gave me the heads up on where to go in my area for some lawn signs. Woo hoo!
Once upon a time, Michelle wrote..Thinking of you Daddy…
Thank you. You (again) said it all more eloquently than I ever could.
I know I’m one of those despised Righties, but I agree completely. It’s probably my only liberal characteristic (ha ha) but I’m voting No on Prop 8. :-)
Once upon a time, Darcie wrote..100 Random Facts About Me
This is the best and most moving post I’ve read on Prop 8. You’re wonderful.
Once upon a time, nicoleantoinette wrote..maybe this is why i don’t like sushi?
I couldn’t stop thinking about this amazing post all day and how you just say what needs to be said. I took you call to action personally and had to post before going to bed tonight. So here I am, waaaay past when I normally would have fallen asleep on the couch while watching mindless tv. This was a much better use of my time, I hope. I linked my post to yours. http://nooniebug.blogspot.com/2008/10/fear-and-hate-in-arizona.html
Once upon a time, becky wrote..Fear and Hate in Arizona
Wow…you said exactly how I feel…I would like very much to link you in my blog if that’s ok…
I’ll just add another amazing post to the list, from me, in big ol’ gay Massachusetts.
Seriously, we’ve had this here for a number of years and like miss picket, I cannot see that it’s changed anything other than for the good. I have never, ever understood why anyone would care who anyone else marries. As long as they’re both consenting adults, who gives a shit if they’re two men or two women or a man and a woman?
Once upon a time, Major Bedhead wrote..To Quote Christopher Robin, "Bak Sun."
beautiful. abso-frickin-lutely beautiful
Once upon a time, Jeanne wrote..Where Jilly Goes, WheeGo
i don’t know of anyone who wants to deny couples their rights. property rights, wills, powers of attorney, whatever.
but why does the word marriage have to be redefined? it’s been around LONG before the constitution ever existed, and only now we find a need to change its meaning.
maybe prop 8 is overbearing. then again, maybe redefining a word that’s been around forever is, also.
Ok… So I am not against 2 people getting together and having a union (I know, this word made some mad) that said I do understand why some are against it. Marriage is religious to a good extent and the Gay/Lex lifestyle goes against most of what religous people believe. The real problem is that the govn’ment decided to adopt the same terminology. Washington need to have a different classification for ALL unions, not jst Gay/Lez. Being that the arguement is the religous connotation of the word, Washington needs to seperate Church and State and give all people equals right in this country. 2 cents.
and….
If Obama loses, we will have fulfilled the great Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream. We will have judged a man, not by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character. At least I will have.
In 1988 while my mother lay dying in the hospital of cervical cancer her partner of 10 years, the one who had helped to raise her children, built a home together and stood by mom through better and worse, was forced to lie to staff claiming to be the “sister” in order to be admitted to the ICU. Thankfully, she was allowed and was able to stand and hold Mama’s hands with my sisters and I while she took her last earthly breath.
An honest, noble, just and wonderful woman had to lie, sneak and deceive to be able to “legally” stand beside her life partner during her final moments and 20 years later, this still pisses me off.
Love is love. Marriage is not just a religious institution. It is a contractual agreement between two people to formally and publicly join lives. Why shouldn’t ALL Americans be allowed to choose whom to enter into union with?
I emailed every single person in my contacts, regardless of known personal and/or political beliefs. I was overwhelmed with positive responses.
I also posted here. http://www.fourplusfourequalsten.blogspot.com/
Every vote counts- it’s tired, but true!!
Once upon a time, Tricia wrote..Anti-Miscegenation, Marriage, and Proposition 8
[...] a vote to make same sex marriage illegal. The first post on this matter is by the faboo Mr. Lady at Whiskey in my Sippy Cup. The other is Looky, [...]
I don’t know why anyone thinks they have the right to tell anyone else who they can and can’t be with. That really pisses me off. This is very touchy subject for me and I’m sure I could write a dozen pages of pure anger at the government for telling couples they can’t be married, but instead, I’ll just AMEN!
And I never, EVER had the look on my face as a child either, and I know damn well my mother never did. I would much rather have been raised by those two loving women that I don’t know than my own fucked up mother, that’s for damn sure.
You rock Mr. Lady.
Once upon a time, Robina wrote..What does it do during sex?
Very well-written post. I’ve never understood why people feel the need to interfere in other’s lives in such extreme ways. Make it illegal for them to have children? To marry? That’s absurd!
Once upon a time, Courtney wrote..Cutest Kid Eva!
Beautiful piece of writing, this. Thank you. Thank you.
Once upon a time, Contemplative Chaplain wrote..Goodbye Deferred, For Now
[...] http://www.whiskeyinmysippycup.com/2008/10/21/just-say-no/ [...]
Well done, Mr. Lady. It’s all about the love.
Once upon a time, Linds wrote..Number Fourteen…
Oh wow. I live in Palm Springs, CA. Highest gay population per capita - or close to it. I want to print out this post and put it on every windshield in every parking lot I go to. You said it beautifully!
I get so upset. WHY is marriage ANYONE elses business but those involved? That whole church funding thing is crap. There are SO many bull crap commercials out there painting such a false picture. I really hope people do the right thing here. WHO ARE WE TO JUDGE????
Good job, Lady!
I totally love that you wrote this post. Bree from Bree’s Buzz sent me over, and now I’m excited to go through the rest of your blog!
Hooray for forward-minded people. I love it!
Once upon a time, Ash wrote..Blood line