I Am He as You Are He as You Are Me and We Are All Together
I've heard a loud public outcry from prominent gay Americans about the passage of Proposition 8, but not as much from the so called "straight" community. I think it needs to be said as loudly as possible, by as many people as possible: the passage of Proposition 8 in California is an embarrassment to, and an indictment of, all Americans.
Let's get clarity right away: Denying any Americans any rights that other Americans hold is discrimination. Period. It doesn't matter whether the discrimination is motivated by morality, or religious beliefs, or a Ouija board, it's still discrimination. And that makes it illegal. (And that comes after the fact that it's wrong.) It should be clear to everyone (or made clear to them) that it puts us all in danger of the same kind of discrimination being pointed our way the moment someone decides we're on the wrong side of their moral or religious measurements.
So, what to do about a situation in which more than 50% of the voters choose to sanction discrimination? I don't think the answer is terribly exotic (I love you Michael Patrick King, and I loved your piece, but I don't think the cage bit will do the trick; they'd like to see you in a cage). Discrimination has been overcome before, and the route toward redemption this time, I'm guessing, will be the same.
First, everyone who finds this discrimination to be an outrage (and everyone should) needs to get on board in fighting it. And then, as a group, we need to impress upon the slightly larger group of voters how important we all are to them, and how much they'd miss us if we were gone. In other words, start withholding business from those who don't get it. From this moment forward, all anti-discrimination Americans should take their weddings out of California. No honeymoons in California, either. I'm sorry to suggest divvying up the world this way, but some research needs to be done in terms of which hotel chains, flower distributors, gift outlets, and departments stores (and which of their owners and board members) supported or resisted the passage of the measure, and steps need to be taken to punish those who fought against equal rights for all, or didn't fight hard enough in defense of them.
If you happen to know particular businesses in-state who stand on the right side of equal rights measures, then by all means, throw business their way. My point is that it's time for all enlightened citizens to stand beside, around, between, and in formation with those who are being denied the rights we've all earned, and are entitled to. A threat (and an insult) to one is an insult to all. It's time to push back hard. Not as a minority group fighting for equal rights, but as a massive spending block of multi-colored Americans, aware that any discrimination is an unacceptable infringement on all of our rights to live in a free -- and equal -- society.
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My straight friends get it. They contributed to No on 8, they offered their condolences when we lost, they're fighting alongside me to restore civil rights.
As a Coloradan who remembers the fallout from our Amendment 2 (The Original Hate State), the subsequent boycott hurt the tourist industry deeply and effectively. California has far more to lose and will feel it quickly. To all our gay citizens- "Keep your eyes on the prize".
Well, I do know the boycott hurt the GAY tourism industry! And, oh, did we feel the wrath of Boy George who advocated building a fence around Colorado. Not. But it didn't change anything. It took hard dedicated work to get Prop 2 ruled unconstitutional. Emotional rants are fine for awhile, but once you get it out of your system, WORK for change.
I won't be vacationing in California or buying any products from California until the rights of ALL human beings is restored. Power to the people.
It's not only California. Florida and Arizona did it too. Boycott them all if you're boycotting any.
The state of Arkansas as well passed a similar ban that included the ban of any single person(gay or straight) or any unmarried couples from fostering and/or adopting children. I am outraged at the people who allegedly support a 'culture of life' denying some children the experience of having a family life outside of the child welfare system.
As one who works in the public child welfare system, I am grateful for any qualified, willing foster and adoptive parents - regardless of sexual identity/o
"mormon " businesses? there are a lot of national ones
Do not forget Utah. The Mormon church spent big money getting this defeated. You want to plan your ski vacation somewhere else. I can't understand what went wrong in California. It's been the hub of the gay movement. And then this?
I heard that the Sundance Film Festival is pulling out of Utah because of their support for Prop 8. I hope other business would as well. That would be a watershed moment in our history too see such massive public support for this. When the Yes people start losing their businesses I bet they would have a change of heart real quick. They will take our money while they stab us in the back. Any business that supported Prop 8 should be boycotted by the 48% that voted against it. Go to Yes on prop 8 and they have a list of all their donors. Speak with your money--that will get the picture.
Thank you Evan. It is criminal that none of our lawmakers are out there saying this.
Great Point!!
You mean, like Obama?
"start withholding business from those who don't get it"
Sounds good. Two weeks ago I put Republican contributors and sign-hosts on my no-spend list; I'll happily add bigots, bigot-hosts, and bigot-states. I regret only that I live in a bigot-state and that I seem to have less and less to withhold from those on my no-spend list.
Put your taxes in escrow with a reputable lawyer and let your State know that you will release ONLY when ALL it's citizens are treated equally. If I lived in Cali or Utah, or any other bigoted hate States this is what I would do. I also will not vacation, buy any products or as a Small Business Owner have any dealings with any of the Companies/
Great plan!
We live in near a notoriously xtianist town, so we also boycott any businesses displaying a cross or fish symbol, when we have to shop there.
Luckily we work and do most of our shopping in the liberal college town also near by.
Thank you, Evan Handler! You said it. We've been waiting too long for straight people to step up on this issue.
RIGHT ON. As of now, I seek out businesses that support gay rights, and I spend my money there. This is not just about gay people, it's about all of us. Discrimination has got to go.
in solidarity, i will not be visiting or spending any money in ca or on ca products.
Me either - and I live here! Well maybe, just a little - if the product is vegan, doesn't employ animal testing, is organic and union made by transgendered dwarfs.
So maybe that wasn't funny, but take a moment and a deep breath. This issue is over - it's been decided - full and total gay equality is in the mail.
Say what? But Prop 8 -
It's over because the next generation doesn't give a rodent's rear if gays marry. It's a non-issue to them, and that's why the passionate partisans of today will prevail. Guaranteed.
Maybe the California Supreme Court will toss out Prop 8 - it only stands to reason. If they don't, the next election is only two years away - and next time we'll (yes I said we) be better organized and reach out to those who can be reached. And the election after that one is only two MORE years away.
Sometimes the mail doesn't arrive as soon as we'd like, but this is America - it always comes. How long did Barak's people wait?
We Gays are Barack's people.
I agree. This is not simply a battle for gay people but for all of us who want to protect civil liberties and end discrimination.
YOU CAN TAKE AWAY A RIGHT, YOU CAN TAKE AWAY A CHOICE, YOU CAN NEVER TAKE AWAY OUR SPIRIT, YOU CAN NEVER TAKE AWAY OUR VOICE.
Josh Marshall of Talking Points Memo (TPM Media) accepted money from the “Yes on 8 campaign and justified it as “just business” and a matter of free speech. Mr. Marshall only commented after many many readers complained and he now considers it case closed on what was a just difference of opinion politically. Its really big time Discrimination plain and undeniable.
The issue of "homosexual marriage" needs to go before the U.S. Supreme Court. States may grant more but not fewer rights than those provided for in the U.S. Constitution, and while "marriage" itself isn't defined for the country, this is the most glaring example of discrimination that our country has dealt with on a state level since women's rights (and how many lawsuits do women still have to bring just to earn equal pay?), as well as the racial struggles that preceed those (and continue, in spite of affirmative action).
It's just time for a Constitutional amendment to prevent continued discrimination. Prop 8 (and all its predecessors around the country) is a perennial wedge issue meant to roll back years of progress, opportunity and acceptance, and it's time to take the fight to a higher battleground.
As for some posters' contention that religious zealots condemn homosexuality out of fear for the entire world and God's wrath, keeping the argument stuck in the realm of morality, I think that's naive and the argument is a non-starter. Falwell, Robertson, Dobson, et al, don't give a damn about "saving" anyone except themselves, and their outrageous arrogance and public bleating is strictly to keep themselves in the spotlight and somehow relevant (via ratings or public office). Fear-mongering is narcissistic, not benevolent.
"If you're not free, I'm not free."
I agree. I believe the state laws that have been passed have violated the US Constitution and will be overturned. Maybe we should wait for another more liberal Supreme Court appointee to be installed - LOL.
No -- not the issue of "homosexual marriage." the issue of MARRIAGE BETWEEN TWO CONSENTING ADULTS.
EQUAL RIGHTS are not SPECIAL rights.
Good call Runkle.
i'm straight and i'm outraged lets take the religious wrong down.....,
You have to fight for your right to be free.
The Constitution of the United States says you are wrong.
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