This pretty much sums up the loss on Prop 8, the ballot initiative that amended the state constitution to say that marriage is only between one man and one woman. It's been a week now, and lots has happened.
There have been protests and rallies throughout California by those in favor of same sex marriage (the No on 8 side). Some of these protests are taking place outside of megachurches and Mormon temples, presumably because these institutions funneled a lot of money into the Yes on 8 campaign. In the meantime, Prop 8 supporters are frustrated by the ongoing protests. In their opinion, we all voted and our side lost, so the case is closed. I attended a rally last Saturday in Laguna Beach. We met at the City Hall and marched a few blocks to the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) to demonstrate. There were about a few hundred people or so carrying signs, candles, chanting, etc. It was so great to see so many people who refuse to back down simply because Prop 8 passed.
There have been protests and rallies throughout California by those in favor of same sex marriage (the No on 8 side). Some of these protests are taking place outside of megachurches and Mormon temples, presumably because these institutions funneled a lot of money into the Yes on 8 campaign. In the meantime, Prop 8 supporters are frustrated by the ongoing protests. In their opinion, we all voted and our side lost, so the case is closed. I attended a rally last Saturday in Laguna Beach. We met at the City Hall and marched a few blocks to the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) to demonstrate. There were about a few hundred people or so carrying signs, candles, chanting, etc. It was so great to see so many people who refuse to back down simply because Prop 8 passed.
Since the passage of Prop 8, we have seen the demographics of who voted in favor and against the initiative. Most of the demographics were split fairly evenly, but blacks are the only demographic that overwhelmingly opposed same sex marriage. They voted 2 to 1 in favor of Prop 8. Because of this, they are being scapegoated and many cannot understand why an oppressed group would vote to oppress another minority group. I don't think that blacks are to blame, and I can understand why they may not be avid supporters of same sex marriage. I read an interesting editorial that points out the white bias in the No on 8 campaign. The No on 8 failed to garner black support because same sex marriage does nothing to address issues that are more of a concern to blacks: poverty, HIV, health care, homelessness, unemployment, incarceration rates, etc. In other words, why would they care about same sex marriage when there are more immediate things to worry about? The No on 8 campaign did not give blacks a compelling reason to support same sex marriage.
Opponents of same sex marriage argue that it disrupts the natural order and goes against the bible. Right, this is the part of the bible that says that women are inferior to men. I support same sex marriage precisely because it disrupts this so-called natural order. Opponents of same sex marriage also argue that children have the right to a mother and a father. They believe that without marriage and without the sharing of genetic material, parents lack an incentive to stay together and raise their children. Presumably, this incentive works. Until the couple divorce. And what are we saying here? That parents who do not share genetic material with their children are any less committed to being good parents?
History is on our side, and it is only a matter of time before we legalize same sex marriage. It has always been our practice to expand democratic rights, not take them away. Those against same sex marriage may have won the battle, but they have not won the war.
Opponents of same sex marriage argue that it disrupts the natural order and goes against the bible. Right, this is the part of the bible that says that women are inferior to men. I support same sex marriage precisely because it disrupts this so-called natural order. Opponents of same sex marriage also argue that children have the right to a mother and a father. They believe that without marriage and without the sharing of genetic material, parents lack an incentive to stay together and raise their children. Presumably, this incentive works. Until the couple divorce. And what are we saying here? That parents who do not share genetic material with their children are any less committed to being good parents?
History is on our side, and it is only a matter of time before we legalize same sex marriage. It has always been our practice to expand democratic rights, not take them away. Those against same sex marriage may have won the battle, but they have not won the war.
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