"Fagots -- Stay Out"

Even as Barack Obama was decrying division, celebrating equality, and promising his new tomorrow, California was suffering her worst constitutional injustice since the Japanese-American internment camps.

On November 4th millions of California voters chose to eliminate a basic right that American citizens enjoy and honor. Proposition 8 was passed by the electorate. It reads:

"ELIMINATES RIGHT OF SAME-SEX COUPLES TO MARRY. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT"

The ballot measure was funded in large part through Catholic, Mormon and evangelical mega-churches. Money poured in as hateful well-crafted sermons spewed out to congregants anxious for the golden ticket to their beloved afterlife. This year, voter's self-aggrandizing reinvigorated Hitler's edict, "give them someone to follow, something to do, and someone to blame."

"Focus on the Family" acted against their own god's teaching when they bellowed hateful rhetoric against same-sex couples. Money that could have fed the poor was donated instead to this intrusion of church and state. Voters frightened by deceptive ads sold their souls to the devil when they pulled the YES lever for god. A lack of education bundled with ignorance and fear has caused a chasm in California bigger than San Andreas.

Same-sex couples fought long and hard for the simple recognition of their families by Sacramento. Thousands of same-sex couples - and their children are now disenfranchised by their state. Judicial prudence has been usurped when California put the rights of the few to a majority vote.

No on 8's Michael Fleming writes, "Never before in California's history has a group who currently enjoys a basic right been singled out and then had those rights ripped from them by a vote of their fellow citizens. In this fight for fairness and justice, tens of thousands of Californians built a campaign that far surpassed any previous civil rights effort on any ballot measure -- not only in California, but anywhere in our entire country." Fleming's promises, "Because of the struggle fought here in California and fought so incredibly well by the people in this state that loves freedom and justice -- our fight for full civil rights will continue."

Same-sex marriage was the sacrificial lamb to a presidential victory for Barack Obama. Gay America knew Obama could never win in Bush's evangelical America if he verbalized a distain for Prop 8. By his silence he voiced his opinion. Obama quietly let millions of his supporters vote for their political evolution while simultaneously selecting a prejudice that led to the lynching of Matthew Shepard, Lawrence King, Tony Hunter and untold numbers of hate crime victims.

Barney's Beanery, a West Hollywood restaurant and bar, had been in business for twenty years, when, in the 1940s, a sign appeared on the wall that read "FAGOTS - STAY OUT". Barney's quickly emblazoned the acrid words across their matchbooks. By the time Janis Joplin infamously carved her name into a table, the place became a seedy but hip hangout - and ground zero for Hollywood's homophobia. The bar's owner died in 1968; efforts continued to have the sign removed. In 1970, the Gay Liberation Front organized by legendary activist Morris Kight, picketed the establishment pushing for the offensive sign's removal. Kight took the vulgar sign with him, but another copy appeared until it was removed in 1984. Today the place is a piece of civil rights history that welcomes everyone as its business thrives.

No on 8's lead donor David Bohnett said, "There's no amount of money that can buy equal rights for the minority, and endless amounts that can buy tyranny for the majority," Bohnett continues, "Today was not our day, but full equality will be ours and let those who deny us our rights suffer the consequences of their misguided faith."

Today the court has been replaced by popular vote but the jury is still out on how painfully society will have to pay its prejudicial penance.

Comments

[Goldengrl]

I voted No on prop. 8. I think churches that are so involved in the political process should pay taxes.

[Gronamox]

I know God. God is a friend of mine. You who persecute my gay friends are no God.

[Gronamox]

It is a setback, but not the end of the war. The Fanatical Religious Right and the Demons of the Catholic Church have colluded to circumscribe marriage and to criminalize one of its variants (same-sex). When did it become legal to criminalize an act previously considered neutral and joyously so. The only qualifications are that the persons to be married are human and in love and not already married. "Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments. Love does not alter, when it alteration finds." For Shakespeare, marriage was the union of two minds. Anyone can marry anyone they choose. It is not proscribed by gods of myth, nor is it proscribed by law. It is a private thing, betrothal. It inhabits the illusory state of nature. Nature is not saying no. Also the amendment is illegal. No Church or Faith based group can perpetrate legislation that bestows special favor on a religion at the expense of the citizens civil rights. It is perfectly legitimate for gays to marry, because the civil code in California considered same-sex marriage legal. Also, the right of privacy does not allow the Church or the State to pass laws that abuse this right. No majority can tyrannize the rights of the minority. Religious beliefs have no standing in the court. Marriage was not a biblical idea. Adam and Eve, if you recall, were never married.

[08politicaljunkie]

OBAMA: "I believe that marriage is the union between a man and a woman. Now, for me as a Christian -- for me -- for me as a Christian, it is also a sacred union. God's in the mix."

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0808/16/se.02.html

[08politicaljunkie]

Romans 1:24 -- 27

[conservativesoncrack]

Bill of Rights, First Amendment.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"

Passing a law based on your religion is violating my rights to have my own approach to religion. Get out of my way and don't tread on me!

[conservativesoncrack]

He is not necessarily right about everything, on this point he is quite wrong.

[YellowDogInRedCounty]

We all appreciate you sharing verses from YOUR bible. Please keep in mind it is YOUR bible and not mine. You have no right to use YOUR bible to dictate MY life.

[lwfky]

This is why I am no longer involved with any organized religion. I can't believe the hate these people propagate.
"Jesus wept".

[pjburns11]

God, save me from your followers!

www.thetruthburns.wordpress.com

[ProudLiberalDan]

I will take Obama at his word that he supports Civil Unions.

Fair enough. I don't expect this to be his FIRST priority. But sometime in the next two years I want federally recognized civil unions. Those 1,000-plus federal benefits of heterosexual marriage that are not open to gays in civil unions who cannot get legally married are important to the families of gays/lesbians in America.

Obama needs to put his first focus on the economic meltdown and two wars.

But I want action on federal recognition of civil unions within two years. That's what he says he believes in and it's time to make at least THAT happen. Gay rights advocates should put their focus not this out of the Democratic Congress. Federal gay marriage will take years. This is possible within the next two years. It was in the Democratic Party platform and Obama has already stated his support for it.

[robinhood1]

You must have read my post on Shaun Halper's blog. Or we just think alike on this issue. Two years should be enough time for a civil union law to be passed and signed into law. It is not that complicated.

[AdamX]

I am sick of you labeling all of your opponents as bigots. You do not take their issue seriously, but expect your to be taken seriously. Is your assault on heterosexual customs bigotry? You will not sell the idea that equality = redefining age old customs to fit your own agenda, and then call anyone who disagrees a bigot. Sexual freedom - you already have. Frankly, I don't care who or what you do for sex. Next, the Real Doll marriage lobby will call for equality too. It is not a matter of equality. It is a matter of a WORD.

I believe you should have every right that anyone else has. Marriage is not, and has never been a right, for anybody. It is always sanctioned. Why should a right be sanctioned? Gay folks should come up with a word that is defined to mean something that represents their idea of committed relationship. You want folks to respect your difference, and then you want folks to believe there is no difference. Grow up.

I will vote yes for ANY and all benefits. I will vote no for Gay Marriage. Go with civil union. Stop calling it what it isn't. I have marched with gays, fought with gays for their rights, contributed to gay causes, housed, fed and clothed gay people. I have hired gays, promoted gays and worked for gays. This is a singular issue, which gives you no right to call me a bigot. I am certainly not.

[NoOneSpecial]

"Separate but Equal" never worked for racial minorities.

States like New Jersey and Vermont have discovered that civil unions and marriage AREN'T being treated as equal because in law they mean different things despite having the "same rights". The US Supreme Court has called marriage is a fundamental right. You can look it up under "Loving v Virginia" and "Zablocki v Redhail". Would they say the same of civil unions? Doubtful.

You're argument may sound rational but it contains a giant flaw.

Throughout history, denial of rights -- and worse, denial of equal protection and due process -- that were justified simply by tradition and custom have all fallen because they were seen for what they are, bigotry. Marriage is a fundamental right, and denial of exercising it is denial of equal protection and due process absent a compelling reason. "Custom" doesn't rise to that level.

You can dance around those facts all you want, but history will ALWAYS trip you up on that point.

[conservativesoncrack]

No one is assaulting "heterosexual customs". I pay taxes and I want equal rights under the law for me and my partner of 15 years. End of story.

[2sneaky1]

AdamX - I take your issues so seriously that I want to be just like you - MARRIED. But I don't think you are a bigot. Stubborn and selfish, maybe . . .?

It is just a word. So, that being the case why are you holdng on to it so hard?

And it is a matter of equality. If we don't fight for it what will be next - "You can have emotion for each other but you can't call it love. Call it something different, like Civil Affection.­"

[YellowDogInRedCounty]

By your logic, then, the back of the bus is just as good as any other part, right?

[thisfrightensme]

http://www.petitiononline.com/seg5130/petition.html

Sign this petition for marriage equality!

[Makesense]

You are a very big fool for believing that Obama is single handedly responsible for the passage of prop 8. He does not believe that gay marriage should be promoted but however believes that their should not be a constitutional ban on gay "marriage". I am a supporter. I do not agree with him and voted for him but for prop 8. I believe the term marrige should be preserved for the traditional, physical, and spiritual representation of that word. You can call your relationship anything you want I don't care. But it is not marriage. Period.

[Dynamohum]

Think about what you just said for a minute. Now imagine that gay people were the norm and heterosexuals were not. Imagine that heterosexuals were the group without the legal protections of the state guaranteed to all by the constitution. Imagine that you were legally NOT ALLOWED to marry.

Marriage was started before the bible was EVER written. It was a contract between families for self preservation. It was not a religious affilated act until the 8th century. Religions are free to deny marriage to anybody they want. The Constitution of the United States guarantees the right of ALL individuals - "separation of church and state" and "all are created equal."

[Makesense]

since you are not a christian what do you know about the bible and when it as written? the irony and ignorance of religion is mind bugging. you sound so narrow minded

[backsassing]

I am so sorry. It just hit me tonight, and I am so sorry.... I am sorry that I while I am a person that believes in equal rights under the law that I did not lift a finger to help my gay brothers and sisters across the country either by sending a check or making phone calls I am ashamed I am broken hearted.
Sincerely,Aracelis Jackson

[YellowDogInRedCounty]

As a gay person, I sincerely hope you won't feel shame. Please take this opportunity, though, to show your support. Donate to the cause, or write a letter to your local paper or your member of Congress, or even better to the leader of your church if you so belong.

[mcw123]

Please. While I don't live in a state that had a gay marriage ballot initiative, I did convince my conservative Catholic father in Florida to vote in favor of gay marriage. While I am not gay, I believe everyone deserves the same rights. Besides, it isn't like heterosexuals have done such a bang-up job at marriage that we should be claiming it as ours alone.

With this said, it is a HUGE overstatement to compare prop 8 to the internment camps in which more than 100,000 Americans were robbed of their possessions, jailed and, in some cases died. Claims like that belittle your cause and make you sound, well, crazy and self-centered.

[mlaiuppa]

No he didn't.

Both Obama and Schwarzenegger appeared in ads against prop 8.

You can blame the discrimination and the bigotry on the Mormon Church (one man and ONE woman?) and the rest of the right wing nutjob fundamentalists. They did a great propaganda job telling one big LIE after another.

I am hopeful that this discriminatory law will be struck down for what it is; separate but equal. There is no place in the United States for laws that create a social structure of second hand citizens.

[scott1164]

Second, mlaiuppa
Obama did say several times that he didn't support prop 8. Just two instances: a very recent MTV interview and the debate that was sponsored by the logo channel. President Elect Obama has also spoken in some of the most homophobic venues in this country--Black Churches--in favor or civil rights for gay Americans. That takes courage.

[greenwriter]

Thank you for writing this, Tom. I'm gay, an Obama supporter, and I feel like I got shoved under the hope bus. You are dead-right: The sad fact is that our President-elect is an accessory to the evisceration of gay and lesbian civil rights in four states, but particularly in California where a stronger statement from him could've saved them. Saying you are against same-sex marriage, but don't personally support Prop 8 is a coward's way out. Leaders lead. How hollow it rang to hear this man quote Martin Luther King and talk about rejecting the politics of fear, when he epitomized playing those politics -- with my civil rights. And let's not forget Joe Biden either, or his weak appearance on Ellen: "I'd clearly vote No." YOU would, but
couldn't muster the courage to tell your supporters THEY SHOULD. Change we can believe in? Hardly.

[Mattylock]

I admire Obama for stating his true opinion. Saying he's against same-sex marriage but not in support of Proposition 8 was the truth, not cowardice.

[AnotherTry]

Try hypocrisy on for size.