Should we be surprised that the black and Hispanic voters in California made up a significant portion of the population who voted yes on Proposition 8? Not really. The Christian evangelicals (i.e hate aficionados) knew exactly who their go-to voters were. The poor, the uneducated, the easily swayed. Unfortunately for these populations, their participation in the passage of this very discriminatory proposition makes them look like complete fools. These are demographics who have cried foul many many times in the past claiming discrimination and unfair treatment yet they had no problems biting many of the hands that helped feed them all along the way.
In the end I continue to be flattered that my very existence threatens so many people’s way of life. I am truly honored that my “lifestyle” so invades the psyches of small minded, ignorant people that they must take time out of their own lives to lobby against my rights to equal treatment under the law. I had no idea I was such a celebrity. I also understand that more often than not, there are sinister, secretive reasons why certain people politic so aggressively against equal treatment for gays and lesbians. Whether it’s struggling with their own sexual identity internally, crippling insecurities within their own lives or just a pathetic need to feel “above” others in some way, it’s a clear and direct indication that these sad people are suffering from some very complicated demons. I personally believe that they will have plenty time in the hottest part of Hell to work through things and rethink their position later on.
So we remain second class citizens. We can be fired from jobs for loving someone, our long term relationships have no legal definition or protection, we have no tax relief, we have no end-of-life/familial rights, and we are shunned from most religious communities. We will continue to be gawked at, talked about, ignored, secluded and abandoned. The media and pop culture will continue to sensationalize us and our community as a whole will struggle with its own identity and avoid responsibility as a result.
Personally, I don’t let any of this affect me. Gay or straight, I believe relationships are personal and not to be publicly declared, I do however believe that the law should intervene at some point and provide protections to all parties involved. I pay zero attention to the “god warriors” and would rather not be included in their inner circle anyway. Most importantly, I enter into my relationships with the same fervor and determination that my straight counterparts do. The love I give is no less real than theirs and that should be recognized by both humans and the law.
Despite my mild ambivalence, I continue to be amused by the irony all the while saddened by the deliberateness of it all
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3 comments:
2 comments:
1) The hate mongers had less to do with the massive turnout of minority voters than did the fact they were motivated by a presidential candidate with skin their color. There was little work to be done to get them to the polls and, once there, to vote as they did - as a rule, latins are more likely to be religious (Catholic mainly), and African Americans are more likely to be homophobic than whites (ever see Oprah talk about the number of black men "on the DL"?). The real outrage is that the President-Elect who claims to have "transcended partisan politics" didn't lift one finger (aside from a TV interview where he outlined his opposition to gay marriage but said "oh, even though gay marriage is bad, so is prop 8" - huh?) to stop this measure, and that, in large part passed because of his supporters.
2) I must disagree with you about needing a law to "protect" me from discrimination. I know you have personally seen how "anti-discrimination" laws have been systematically manipulated by minorities and other "protected classes" to create fear in employers and keep people in jobs they should not stay in. There are certain "protected classes" employers are VERY hesitant to hire because they know it will be extremely difficult to fire those persons. I don't want to be identified that way.
Don't think I'm a "self-hating fag" because I don't want the government to "protect" me. I simply don't think it's the government's business to force people to like me, which is essentially what ENDA does. If my employer wants to fire me because I wear goofy ties, don't produce good work product, or because I'm gay, that's their right.
2 comments:
1) The hate mongers had less to do with the massive turnout of minority voters than did the fact they were motivated by a presidential candidate with skin their color. There was little work to be done to get them to the polls and, once there, to vote as they did - as a rule, latins are more likely to be religious (Catholic mainly), and African Americans are more likely to be homophobic than whites (ever see Oprah talk about the number of black men "on the DL"?). The real outrage is that the President-Elect who claims to have "transcended partisan politics" didn't lift one finger (aside from a TV interview where he outlined his opposition to gay marriage but said "oh, even though gay marriage is bad, so is prop 8" - huh?) to stop this measure, and that, in large part passed because of his supporters.
2) I must disagree with you about needing a law to "protect" me from discrimination. I know you have personally seen how "anti-discrimination" laws have been systematically manipulated by minorities and other "protected classes" to create fear in employers and keep people in jobs they should not stay in. There are certain "protected classes" employers are VERY hesitant to hire because they know it will be extremely difficult to fire those persons. I don't want to be identified that way.
Don't think I'm a "self-hating fag" because I don't want the government to "protect" me. I simply don't think it's the government's business to force people to like me, which is essentially what ENDA does. If my employer wants to fire me because I wear goofy ties, don't produce good work product, or because I'm gay, that's their right.
Well said, What a disappointing ignorant day for California and our country. :(
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