Thursday, October 30, 2008

I'm Not Usually This Bothered

Every time I see a "Yes on 8" ad, my blood starts to boil. I try not to be political on the blog. That's not what you come here for. And most of my views aren't usually too popular here in California. But on this topic, I just cannot hold my tongue. Proposition 8 would ban marriage between same sex couples in California. Honestly, I can't figure out why this is necessary.

Love is love. Simple as that. My marriage to Brian has nothing to do with the State of California or even the church. It is a commitment we made to each other. Why shouldn't everyone be allowed to make that commitment to the person they love.

The Yes on 8 campaign is running ads about how we'll have to teach our children about gay marriage in school. So? What's so bad about that? What's so terrible about teaching your children to accept lots of different people as they are? I really wish someone would explain it to me since I cannot even see part of your argument. The courts ruled on "separate but equal" decades ago. Civil partnerships are not enough. Having two different names for marriage is inherently discriminatory.

In fact, here are a bunch of questions I think anyone voting yes on 8 should think about deeply before voting.

1. Why do you care who someone else loves? Isn't the world better with more love in it?
2. Why would teaching your children that there are many versions of love be a bad thing?
3. Why can't you see denying same sex couples the right to marry is the same as banning inter-racial marriage? Surely you wouldn't think to back a ban on inter-racial marriage in this day in age.
4. How can you possible be "in defense of marriage" but be attacking people who are willing to pledge their lives to each other? I would think lowering the divorce rate would be a more worthy cause.
5. I realize you may have "moral" objections to homosexuality. But doesn't your morality require equality over discrimination even though you may disagree?

All I ask is that those who are leaning toward voting yes on 8 really think about these questions. Then vote your conscience.

I hope your heart leads you to vote no on 8.

18 Comments:

Blogger Linda said...

I too agree with you.

12:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My only problem with this proposition is that it is an attack on freedom of religion. If the coule in question wishes to get married in a particualr church/synagogue/temple/cathedral/etc if the religious leader denies them because it contradicts their religious beliefs then that religous leader gets slapped with jail time.
If they really want to get married go right on ahead, but do not throw someone into jail just because they don't believe the same way as you do. It isn't a crime to have an opinion or belief.

2:19 AM  
Blogger Dawn said...

I'm tired of all the ads of all the props on TV...its a constant barrage of this crap.

6:42 AM  
Blogger Jo said...

I agree (even if I don't get to vote!)

8:00 AM  
Blogger ~RaenWa~ said...

I agree with you & everything you said. I don't understand why anyone thinks they should have a right to tell someone who they can & can't love no matter what sex or color they are.

9:09 AM  
Blogger Sarah said...

Nicely said. And I'm way over here in Mass. We have gay marriage here and it does not seem to have thrown the whole state in turmoil and in fact it has not affected the day-to-day lives of most of us. It has just allowed more people in love to pledge their lives to each other, and that doesn't seem all that bad to me.

9:28 AM  
Blogger Sally said...

Andrea, your facts are wrong. No religious leader is forced to marry anyone they don't want to (certainly Prop 8 does not have that effect). They don't go to jail. You should check your facts before spreading that kind of nonsense. If that's what the yes on 8 people are resorting to telling people, it just shows how morally bankrupt they are.

11:49 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

OK, OK! I wasn't trying to start a comment war. Let's keep this discussion civilized.

12:15 PM  
Blogger 5elementknitr said...

"force people to teach kids about gay marriage in school"? Are they currently teaching about hetero marriage in schools??

Silly biggots - don't they know schools are for teaching Darwinism?

heh heh

12:57 PM  
Blogger Knitting Kris said...

I'm just ready for the whole election to be over. It's ridiculous. I live in an area where people vote for a candidate entirely based on ONE issue. It's insane, just as insane as the issue you mentioned. I consider myself to be a Christian, but I have often struggled with the position the church takes on homosexuality...because how can you choose who you love? I certainly didn't choose heterosexuality, as I'm sure that most people didn't choose homosexuality. FPS!

2:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just stumbled upon your blog tonight (series of click thrus) and thought I would give my dissenting view.
(fyi, by you i am just meaning one, a person in general)
Why am I a bigot or close minded for thinking marriage is something that is only between a man and a woman. Why are you open minded and enlightened for not agreeing with me? Why aren't you a bigot for being intolerant of my beliefs? Why can't we both just be people who have differing opinions...no name calling needed?
Sure, people could be more loving of one another in the world but how is that a reflection on marriage? And, if you allow gay marriage where do you draw the line? There should be more love in the world so me loving this horse over here should be ok. Or there needs to be more love in the world so me being an adult loving this not quite adult should be ok (ever heard of nambla).
Marriage is a sacred thing and just because some heterosexuals enter into it not believing that doesn't mean that it isn't. Just because there are divorces among heterosexuals doesn't mean that marriage itself is a failure that should be open to all. If you open it to all then a free for all is what you will get.
And, while I don't know of people going to jail, I do know of instances where PRIVATE companies or religious groups have been sued for declining to allow a gay couple to get 'married' in their private location (I know of a photographer who declined to do a wedding and got sued and a church who also got sued for not allowing a gay ceremony on their private church grounds). Again, why it wrong for me to force my beliefs on you but ok for you to force your beliefs on me? Ahhh yes, because you are the enlightened one and I am the one who clings to my guns and my God.

12:14 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Most agreed Nell. Prop 8 isn't about marriage between a man/woman or a man/man, etc (or as curiously suggested, a man and his horse--I couldn't imagine the disaster that might occur with so much love.--.)
...it's about equal rights. period. It's about voting against a form of intolerance. My hats off to you for a well stated blog. Thanks!

1:18 AM  
Blogger Jenny Girl said...

I feel for you Chick. I really do. Unfortunately, in this country religion and politics will never be separated. I personally believe all pepole should have the same rights, gay or stright, black or white, and even different religions.
Whose to say one religion is better than the other? Just because I don't have "religion" does that mean I need to follow what you say, ie homosexuality is wrong. Leave me be and I'll leave you be.
Oh, and there are frivolous lawsuits on both sides, and in most things now a days anyway.
Unfortunately, this country is just so unevolved somtimes. REspect others and their opinions.

10:06 AM  
Blogger Lovs2Knit said...

If I was still a Cali resident I would be voting NO. I don't think religion plays a part in marriage or I wouldn't be married to my hubby. We don't attend church and never will. I could rant on and on about the narrow mindedness of some people. It can be a little tough when you are looked at as a freak because everyone around you goes to church and you don't. I'm one of those people that just can't see where anyone benefits from discrimination of any kind.

11:40 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

isn't the whole thing just discriminating against "religious peeps" right to discriminate?

3:33 PM  
Blogger Katie said...

Here, here! Rah!

10:11 AM  
Blogger tapmouse said...

It's discriminatory. An individual does not have to agree with a homosexual lifestyle, but that doesn't mean it's ok to take away a gay person's right to marry. We are all people and should all have the same rights.

12:23 AM  
Blogger Montreal Mama said...

I hear ya.

I live in one of the few provinces of Canada that allow Gay marriage. My husband's mother married another woman. (His dad also married another woman). (My children have a lot of Grandmothers).

I'm glad that I live in a place where everyone is recognized equally. I don't know I would be able to live somewhere where it wasn't.

9:29 PM  

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