This blog is so boring. I’ve posted rarely, and when I do, it’s hardly ever been an actual post. I can tell you why – it’s because I don’t have time to think. It’s like work is taking so much of my time and brain power, that I don’t have the energy or time left to devote to blogging. In the absence of my own words, I like to quote other people; people who’s thoughts so closely mirror mine that the differences don’t matter. So here’s another block quoted post – it’s a comment, posted to Pam’s House Blend.
I’m an anglo lesbian. I posted about this subject on another thread here, and am a little hesitant to post about it again except that this topic is so important.
Lots of folks – including me – on internet boards have been pointing out the limitations and likely unreliability of the exit poll since Wednesday. Unfortunately, the main stream media and many posters on various boards and blogs continue to make a big deal out of the 70% figure, for the usual reasons, I imagine – it’s easier to talk about simplistic ideas than complex ones, it’s more fun to stir up trouble, and it’s always helpful for the corporate-owned media and rightwing to divide minorities against one another.
Even if the exit poll were valid, its only use is as data to help understand where work needs to be done in talking to folks and trying to forge some understanding. For instance, even the iffy exit poll says that 30% of African Americans opposed the measure. How many thousands is that? Who and where are these folks? I doubt they’re all gay. We need to thank them and encourage them to talk to their neighbors!
Also, (again according to the very iffy exit poll) only a bare majority of Latina/o voters supported Prop 8, despite the commonly cited perception that many Latina/os are anti-gay. Seems to be untrue.
Next, what about the ~50% of white voters who supported this hateful amendment? Who and where are these folks? What kinds of outreach might work?
Very important questions are being left unanswered by the media.
What happened in Florida, Arizona, and Arkansas? Haven’t seen any exit polls from there. Florida’s decision, which passed by a 63% majority, is far more disastrous than California’s. As far as I understand, there is no remedy for Florida’s decision beyond a nation-wide federal recognition of gay rights. I won’t hold my breath since the country still hasn’t ratified the Equal Rights Amendment.
Arkansas? Not content to strip gay folks of their right to marry, this time AR made sure that gay people can’t adopt either. That’s a tragedy for lots of children as well as their potential adoptive parents, straight and gay, since the measure made it illegal for any “single” person to adopt. Where’s the outcry about the impact this will have on millions of children as well as adults?
Arizona? And all the other states in the nation that have already changed their constitutions to outlaw gay marriage forever? None of those can be remedied easily. And there will be more.
Where are the news articles about the impact of this hateful legislation – and the fact that a minority’s rights are stripped by vote of the majority despite our constitution’s promise to protect all – on young people? It’s known that suicide is high among gay youth.
Finally, I reject the suggestion that this loss of human rights across the nation is the fault of “the gay community” for not “making a strong enough case.” What other minority has to defend its human rights every couple of years in an up/down majority vote?
And will we ever get beyond constant descriptions of GLBTIQ people as “the gay community” – as if we’re some kind of monolithic secret society connected by twitter alert?
While I recognize and appreciate the outpouring of shock and sorrow from many good-hearted people of all ethnicities, colors, religions, and backgrounds, I’m still disgusted with those who don’t give a damn. I’ve been told on message boards over the past couple days that while they technically “disagree with the decision, it’s just not that big a deal” and “gay marriage is not a civil right” and “sorry, but this is a low priority for me” and “it’s insulting to suggest that gay rights are the same as other civil rights.” Also, there have been a lot of suggestions that “gay people are just whining, and these complaints are going to turn people against you.”
That’s where the real problem lies – in the vast number of people who just don’t get it.
These are all just thoughts from a newbie because I needed to talk. Thank you for this forum.
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by: night owl @ Sun Nov 09, 2008 at 11:55:27 AM CST
That last large paragraph struck a chord with me. Just yesterday, someone asked me “Why is marriage so important? You wouldn’t get married, would you?” It’s true. I probably would not get married to a guy. I’m of the belief that marriage is an antiquated social construct, one that biology probably doesn’t need, and reality indicates is failing. The thing is, that’s what I believe. It’s not what a lot of my brothers and sisters in the LGBT movement believe.
They believe that they should be allowed to marry the person they love, just like their parents probably did. They believe, as I do, that there should be no differences in how the government treats two men or a man and a woman living together in a social contract. These are our lives, and they are none of the government’s business.
Yes, this country’s government is “of the people, by the people, for the people,” and we are saying that it is none of your business how we live our lives.