Last week was tough. As elated as I was at Obama’s win, I was disappointed and depressed at the outcome of propositions on gay marriage and adoption in California, Arizona, Arkansas, and Florida. And I was angry that the happiness I should be feeling was taken away by the backward- and closed-minded thinking of so many. I wish that I lived in California now, so that I could be at the protest rallies that are continuing.
takaza posted this out, and it bears repeating.
(Or you can read the transcript here)
I am reminded of a joyous occasion in 2001.
While that commitment ceremony was and is very real to us, it saddens me that our society and government do not agree.
I wish Keith had made that statement on the night of November 3. :/
How much doubt was there on November 3rd or 4th that it wasn’t going to pass, though? I think everyone was sure that, though it would probably be close, enough people had sense enough to vote against it.
And yet…there is hope…
Some Republicans actually do get it:
From http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/11/10/gay.marriage.protests.ap/
Speaking on CNN’s “Late Edition” Sunday, Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger expressed disappointment at Proposition 8’s passage.
“It is unfortunate,” Schwarzenegger said. “But it is not the end because I think this will go back into the courts. … It’s the same as in the 1948 case when blacks and whites were not allowed to marry. This falls into the same category.”
I often think Keith is a jerk..
but not at the moment.
I watched that last night (and tried linking to the video from MSNBC’s site) and it was very moving, very apt.
I’m really, really sorry that bill passed. In the group of people I spend time with, it’s easy to forget how many horribly close-minded people are out there. I think it’s just a matter of time before things get changed for the better – there’s an entire generation of people that will be exiting this world and hopefully a lot of their misplaced ideals will go with them. I see people changing their minds all the time. There is hope, and it just has to happen one person at a time.
There actually are some local protests as well. I was glad to perform that ceremony for you two 7 years(*) ago, but I’d love for it to be as legally real as it is to you.
(* – Holy Crap. It really doesn’t seem that long ago …)
*deleted scree about history of marriage and how inane anti-marriage advocates are, because it was like two pages long*
*hug* So I’ll just say – total agreement with you. (Oh, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen pics from your ceremony – thanks for sharing them! 🙂
Wow, 7 years. You guys are so cute! How I cried.
I’m not the biggest fan of marriage…for me. I know the downsides and the pain it can cause. Cynically, I’ve been amazed that gays would want the benefits of marriage, like paying tens of thousands of dollars if it needs to end.
Still.
A short, easy think about it says that hey, if somebody wants to get married, let ’em.
I was appalled that the voters of California, that progressive leader of a state, voted to take away a right. That the state collectively voted to end some marriages.
Olbermann’s completely correct. He’s obviously more emotional than I’ve ever seen him be on TV. I watched this before going to work, and I got all misty eyed.
It didn’t occur to me to donate to a political campaign when I’m not one of the citizens of that state, but I see that others have, and given the chance again, I’d help out as I can.
We need more love in this world.
As sad as this occassion is, I think prop 8 passing might be — in the long run…. hopefully — something of a blessing in diguise.
No one would have really cared that much about anti gay marriage laws passing in other states — but the fact it passed in California is the only one people are yelling about. Now that it passed people are voicing their opinions strong, and as a new wave of government comes into play, I think the outrage over prop 8 might ultimately play a part in changing policy across the entire country.
While Prop 8 is disappointing, I think the Arkansas one is a bigger loss. Prop 8 is sad, but it doesn’t actually ‘harm’ people in way Arkansas is .. from what I read.. taking about 400 adopted kids away from their foster families back into a foster home.
I do want to thank you again for inviting me 7 years ago. I’m still not sure if I could go through with something to that level, but DB and I talk about it sometimes.
I too am saddened and deeply disappointed that the bans of marriage were passed on such an otherwise wonderfully historic day. I hope your friend artyskox is right in that support will rally to recognize love. Thank you for posting that clip.
To me you and Dan are married, and I am so thrilled at your years of happiness, and hope they continue and deepen. And now I hope to work so that you and anyone else can marry, if that is your wish.
I was floored at the way the votes fell in CA. FLOORED. And as a comment above, it didn’t occur to me to donate to a cause in another state (it’s already been outlawed here), but I definitely will be next time it’s on the ballot.
For the life of me I don’t understand what the heck the problem is. It’s not like straight people are going to be kidnapped by teh gays and forced into marriage or something. I honestly don’t understand that; but then again that goes to the heart of what I don’t understand about a lot of peoples’ politics in this country. So much concern in general about what other people do that doesn’t affect anyone else. Who cares?!
The arky case is concerning not only because it affects gay couples, but also SINGLE people, regardless of sexual identity or persuasion. Not married? Want a kid? Can’t have a kid on your own? Oh man, sucks to be you. Noneforyou! How… ridiculous. And again, who cares if a kid is raised by a single sex couple? Two parents, stable home, caring and loving family. Yeah, kids don’t need that! /sarcasm
Sorry to spew crankiness all over your blog; this is a huge soapbox for me, even though I’m in a hetero relationship.
There’s also that whole “all men are created equal” thing. Seems like it would be a no-brainer, eh?
And FWIW, in my eyes, you guys are married. 🙂
You’re gay?!?
GET OUT!
Srsly, congrats. From a former uptight conservative (OMG!)
I attended two weddings in 2001 – yours and that of one of my nieces. Of the two marriages, yours proved a lot more real than hers – which ended in a very nasty divorce and bankruptcy for both of them. It’s ridiculous that many people are so fearful about this issue that they cannot acknowledge that the state does not create a marriage – and that state certainly does not sanctify any marriage. The state can, however, acknowledge the reality of modern relationships and encourage commitment and stability in people’s lives regardless of their sexual orientation. No one’s marriage is threatened by another persons marriage.