Proposition 8

Unless you've been living in a cave, you've heard all about California's Proposition 8.  

For those international readers, Proposition 8 was a California ballot proposition that changed the state Constitution to restrict the definition of marriage to a "union between a man and a woman" and eliminated the right of same-sex couples to marry.  The proposition did not affect domestic partnerships in California. 

Recently, I read through an article about how the Morman church is raising millions of dollars for a new NATIONAL campaign against gay marriage. 

A reader left this comment, which I thought was really on point:

"OK, this may sound strange to some. The best thing that could have happened to us was the passage of prop 8."

"To me Prop 8 has never really been about gay marriage, its been about gay rights, equality and bigotry."

"The passage of Prop 8 and the other 3 anti gay measures in other states brought the real issues out of the shadows and into the foreground."

"Gay issues were off the radar of most human rights, civil rights and progressive activists... no longer. The day after the election people who were never engaged in any gay causes talked openly about how the biggest disappointment on an otherwise glorious night was the treatment of the gay community."

"The churches were brought out of the shadows, called on their hate and identified for the illegal influence they have been enjoying unchecked on the political process. Now that they have been identified... they can be and have been taken on."

"The youth has had the issue reframed for them and been shown how this like other issues is a generational thing where the old people with completely outdated world views are desperately trying to impose that world view on their generation who knows better."

"Finally the passage of prop 8 has brought together the gay community. Its set the table for the gay community to connect with other activists and to heal divides with other communities by recognizing the similarities of their causes."

"Gay marriage hasn't been in question for years. We know it will be legal in the very near future... when the youth start calling more of the shots and the voice of the older generations becomes less relevant."

Comments

[Ryan]

This topic just drives me crazy. I do not understand why homosexuals feel a need to marry. If there is one thing that I have learned from heterosexuals is that marriage does not work. Divorce rates are out of control. I believe marriage is unnatural for heterosexuals and better yet, a hysterical punch line of a homosexual joke. As your earlier post pointed out, many, if not most gay relationships are open to some degree or another. And the ones that are not open, those are generally the ones in which there is cheating and gay drama. Marriage does not make much sense to me.

Beyond the infidelity and open status of gay relationships, the gay yearning toward marriage seems to be a misuse of time and energy that could be better spent focusing on their next sexual encounter or senseless obsession with wanting to be Madonna, Cher, Britney, or some other female “diva” dingbat. To my knowledge gays have never been so visible in society as they are now with a whole new generation of gay youth growing up being able to openly date and express themselves as normally as heterosexuals. I see this push towards marriage as misguided and frivolous. After finally achieving a status within society and being delivered from oppression, what do homosexuals do? They choose to emulate the customs and traditions of said oppressors by mimicking their failures even more closely. It is illogical.

Along with the Will & Grace hysterical mantra that “the gym is the gay church,” the comical quote from the movie Clue that "Men should be like Kleenex--soft, strong, and disposable" is the gay relationship theme. In fact it is so prominent, I would suggest having it embroidered on the gay rainbow flag. What is the point of having marriage when the majority are incapable of relationships? And what to do if it does one day become legal? I guess gays will get married and have what….open marriages on top of open relationships? Gee, that is really something worth this struggle. I would have preferred all of the Proposition 8 donation money be spent on teaching people about safe sex practices or purchasing medications for those unfortunate with HIV who cannot obtain services. I was happy when Proposition 8 failed.

I am a gay male and I want nothing to do with marriage. I feel no need to mimic the behaviors and customs of heterosexuals. To me it is just as silly as the ERA incessantly whining that there needs to me a 28th Amendment guaranteeing women and homosexuals the right to equality. I am more offended by the idea that such an amendment is even necessary and that such an amendment needs to be in the Constitution of my country telling me that I am equal? You mean, I am not already equal? Thank you, but no thank you. I am not a special sub-class. My status of equality is already in the Constitution and all that needs to happen is for the ignorant to realize that truth. Do gays really need the validation and acceptance of rich fat white republicans and ass-kissing democrats to validate and allocate their rights and worth? Similarly, I am equally disgusted that a vote on the value, worth, acceptance, and the rights of gay people is left to a vote at all (Proposition 8.) The flaw is not with heterosexuals but with homosexuals who seek their permission like a child seeking dessert before supper.

In closing, if heterosexuals need to pass an amendment defining marriage to be between a man and a woman, so be it. That is fine by me. They can keep marriage all to themselves. They have managed to turn the sanctity of marriage into their own little freak show and I want no part in it.

[Peter]

Ryan - I agree with you that, as an institution, marriage has been screwed up by the heteros. And who really wants to deal with inlaws? But as a gay man in a committed relationship, I want all the legal perks of marriage, which the heteros still get despite screwing up the institution. I want the tax perks; I want the ability to own property legally with my partner; and should I end up in a hospital, I want him to be able to stay with me beyond visiting hours.