Oooohhhhh Nnnnnooooooo

[ConcKahuna]

I'm just hoping that folks from California, Arizona, Arkasas, Michigan, Florida, or other states with similar laws can get together and we can have a repeat of Loving vs. Virginia.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

That's what my DP is telling me, ConcK. There will be legal involvement now and there will be a real resolution.

I wish I had that optimism right now. My Pollyanna flame is pretty dim.

 

[Nalla]

Ugh... this is horrible. I'm so glad we'll have President Obama and a democratic majority, but I really thought in CA at least that gay marriage bans wouldn't pass. CA is a really blue state, isn't it? What happened?

 

[mikelan6]

I was SO sad about this. When will people overcome hate?

There is one glimmer of hope and that's that President Elect Obama mentioned gays in his speech last night. At least he's on our side.

 

[glenpreece]

I feel so bad for all of you having to deal with this is in the USA. I agree with everything you are saying about religion not being in gov't. Listening to Obama's speech last night reminded me of that. When he referred to God here and there. Here in Canada they never mention God in speeches. I guess because of our multi cultural population here as opposed to your melting pot way of life down there, things are different. While reading the CNN coverage of prop 8 they do mention that African American were in favour of Prop 8. Once again I am so sorry for all of you this affects. I really think that the LGBT people of the US are the new "it" minority.

 

[SkyMedik]

I am sick and tired of "asking" for my rights. Give me some steel-toed boots and let me go get them.........

Those of you in CA, FL, AZ and AK - please do not feel obligated to pay taxes. Screw 'em.

 

[Melora]

I cannot tell you how awful I feel!

My daughter's partner is black and her parents are religious. They both voted yes on Prop 8.

How can you do that to your own child? How can you WANT to take rights away from your own child??

I am so happy Obama won but feel such sadness and disgust that all of the gay marriage bans passed.

 

[merryweather20]

Ugh... this is horrible. I'm so glad we'll have President Obama and a democratic majority, but I really thought in CA at least that gay marriage bans wouldn't pass. CA is a really blue state, isn't it? What happened?

Really? I'm still hearing its too close to call, I'm not sure how long it will take to count the absentee ballots but I'm keeping my fingers crossed:

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=6185755

 

[zulemara]

I’m posting this in pretty much all the election threads because I see the same feelings being brought out in everyone and I think I have some insight that can help you all understand and hopefully make you feel better about the way a couple states voted last night.

In 2006 WI passed the same amendment that FL did. As I understand it, CA’s amendment defines marriage, but does not take away benefits equal or similar to that of marriage like FL and WI’s do.
After 2006, I was so angry at my state. How could so many people vote against my rights? How can they be so blind? How can I stand to live in this state anymore? I am from a city of 55,000 with many surrounding “hick” towns where people really do cling to their guns and religion. I have done everything I can to surround myself in a positive environment despite our current laws here. For instance, I went to the fair in my grandma’s hometown of Viroqua, WI. When I came out of the fair, there was a “protect marriage” flier on my car. I said I’ll never give another dime to that town and I haven’t. Will it make a difference? No, but it makes me feel better.

What we all need is to strike a balance between what makes us feel better, and what we can do to make a difference. I think we can take a page from the pro-life people.

When you’re looking for a place to eat, shop, or visit for entertainment, find out the policies of these companies. Do they support their LGBT employees? Look for the ads in the major gay magazines and support those businesses. Will that make a difference? Probably only a little bit if at all, but I know it really makes me feel much better.

Now how can we make a difference? Stay where you are! Live your life and make sure when you come in contact with people that you aren’t afraid to say “well this sub is for my partner, I guess I’ll find out how well I know him” little things like that can expose many people to the fact that we are here, we are no different, and we aren’t going anywhere! It is so easy to be angry towards the people around you. He’s old, I bet he voted against me, she is black I bet she voted against me, he is walking into a Catholic church, he hates me too. Those are all easy things to do, but it doesn’t accomplish anything. Keep an open mind towards new people you meet. You might find someone is Catholic, but not necessarily opposed to your rights. I have been surprised more than once on the issue. Write a letter to the editor, but don’t be angry, seek only to educate. Although you might not change someone’s mind through your letter, it might bring up a discussion between two people with opposing views.

We have elected Obama because he wants to change Washington. As someone mentioned, he said “gay or straight” in his speech last night. No other politician who says he’s for gay rights has ever done that from what I’ve seen, and to me that says HE GETS IT. He will be working with a Democratic majority. These next 2 years(before the religious right gets motivated) are our years to make a difference at a national level! Remind our elected officials why we voted(or didn’t vote) for them. Lets get national hate crime legislation passed, repeal DODT, and repeal the DOMA. What is the one thing Obama has shown us in this election? Hope is powerful, and it’s what we ALL need to have no matter your state. Live your life, show you’re normal, and when you’re upset that you aren’t accepted, go to Disneyworld/land

 

[inkkognito]

When we moved to FL from Chicago, I was amazed at how different it was when you step away from Disney or outside the metro area. Very backwards, biased, and prejudiced...something I am not used to. I'm disgusted that our state had to prove its backwardness to the rest of the country by passing something as ridiculous as amendment 2. This is 2008, but we're still singling out a group of people and specifically excluding them from rights that should be shared by all human beings. I thought that sort of thing ended back in the '60s and '70s. It's Jim Crow all over again. I am not gay, but I firmly believe that the make-up of a marriage should not be defined by bigots and law. Any loving couple should have the right to marry, and people who feel threatened by gay marriage should turn around and take a look at themselves and ask why they are so afraid of it...sounds like their own personal hang-up to me.

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

We got TOTALLY blitzed with pro-102 advertising here in AZ. Despite the the fact that those of us in favor of Equal Marriage were outspent $thousands to one, it wasn't a blow-out. Disappointing -- you betcha. We've just gotta keep sloggin' along -- one day at a time and change WILL come. I hafta believe that it's gonna help immensely having a national administration that supports dignity and equality for all its constituents. The tide is turning, I'm sure of it.

 

[padalyn]

Correct me here if I am wrong....didn't Bill Clinton promise all kinds of stuff to the community, only to back stab us by signing DOMA into law?

It seems to me this was the beginning of the laws that describe marriage. Fine, marriage is one man one woman...make a new word, use it for everyone.

 

[wallyb]

Correct me here if I am wrong....didn't Bill Clinton promise all kinds of stuff to the community, only to back stab us by signing DOMA into law?

It seems to me this was the beginning of the laws that describe marriage. Fine, marriage is one man one woman...make a new word, use it for everyone.

And take religion out of the equation!
That also seems to freak "them" out.
Fine - it's not a religious ceremony.

 

[kingLouiethe1]

Correct me here if I am wrong....didn't Bill Clinton promise all kinds of stuff to the community, only to back stab us by signing DOMA into law?

It seems to me this was the beginning of the laws that describe marriage. Fine, marriage is one man one woman...make a new word, use it for everyone.

This is a big reason I'm not out singing Obama's praises. We've already been screwed by the democrats, but we keep giving them money and support. He's going to have to prove himself to me.

I'm already upset at Obama for his stance on Prop 8. They yes on 8 campaign sent out a big colorful flier the weekend before the election saying Obama says marriage should be between one man and one woman. Even if Obama did not endorse the flier his message has been confusing at best, pretty much along the lines of "I believe marriage is between one man and one woman, but I would vote no on prop 8."

 

[padalyn]

And take religion out of the equation!
That also seems to freak "them" out.
Fine - it's not a religious ceremony.

I agree - religion has no place in any of this.

This is a big reason I'm not out singing Obama's praises. We've already been screwed by the democrats, but we keep giving them money and support. He's going to have to prove himself to me.

I'm already upset at Obama for his stance on Prop 8. They yes on 8 campaign sent out a big colorful flier the weekend before the election saying Obama says marriage should be between one man and one woman. Even if Obama did not endorse the flier his message has been confusing at best, pretty much along the lines of "I believe marriage is between one man and one woman, but I would vote no on prop 8."

wow, that does sound confusing. I am taking a wait and see position. Very sad, but what one has to do. I used to have a work partner who used a quote (not sure who from) 'no expectations; no disappointments' this is beginning to become my mantra.

 

[SanFranciscan]

It was a disappointment to see Prop. 8 pass here. Yes, I do agree with those of you who have said that the fact that Obama was a candidate made it easier to pass Prop 8. I realize that it is never a good idea to dislike entire groups and have met some charming black people, but those most likely to think that civil rights are about everybody and not just about Blacks are quickly dismissed as Uncle Tom's. I will say that I am frustrated by how often they wear their bigotry like a badge of honor. Whether or not an act is even considered racist depends upon the race of the racist, and anti-gay discrimination is at least recognized as bigotry when perpetuated by Caucasian Christians. Funny, but not at all humorous, how everybody else can get away with it.

I can see that most gays think that the gay movement has much in common with the Civil Rights Movement, but most black people do not think so. Gays will be villified as racist and culturally insensitive for expecting Blacks to respect the civil rights of gays. That is just the way it is.

By the way, I am a woman married to a man. I am sorry that same-sex couples lost on Prop 8. I don't think that churches should be required to perform religious ceremonies for same-sex couples, but all that has ever been asked of them in exchange for their tax-exempt status is to respect the separation of religious and civil matters. That is a very cushy deal. Since they refuse to do that, they should pay their taxes.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Asinine.

Why is it anyone's business who marries whom, as long as both parties are consenting adults?

And why do people get to vote on other peoples' civil rights?

And, heck, who in the world is hurt, or negatively affected, by gay marriage?

 

[kingLouiethe1]

Asinine.

Hey hey, you don't have to call me names!

 

[Cindy F]

I wish this did not hurt so much. I wish I wouldn't cry over things like this anymore. I wish I didn't feel despair and hopelessness when I see things like this. Maybe a falling star will come my way.

 

[wallyb]

Asinine.

hey we can say asinine!

HEY - Those jeans make your Asinine look huge!