Wow! It’s Wednesday! YES WE DID, But…
So as a person who’s been an Obama supporter since she saw the John Kerry convention speech and a black person since she was born, this is a beautiful day on Earth. I’m in Belgium now, where there are surprisingly, so many black people, that natives keep asking me questions in French, because they assume that I live here, but also where my sister was incredibly disturbed to find at the chemical plant that she was safety auditing no black people whatsoever and only two women, neither of which were engineers. In her words: Zero diversity. This could not have happened here or in France, or lets face it, in most other countries around the world. I still doubt that we’ll see a black English Prime Minister within our lifetime, though U.K. papers are quick to lambaste us for our many failings in regard to how we view our own people and the world.
However, Belgium did legalize gay marriage back in 2002. And in 2005, so did Spain where we’re going next.
But apparently many Californian believe that it is right and moral to strip their fellow human beings of their right to marry, and apparently these same people have the right to do so. As of 4:30 this morning, Yes on 8 is winning by a narrow but clear margin.
And like many Californians right now, I am torn between tears of joy and tears of anger. I think Delia said it best in the comments of my No on 8 post last night:
It is 11:00pm on election day and it doesn’t look good for Prop 8…I hope things change by the time I wake up, but I can’t figure out how we can take a huge step forward and a huge step back in the same election. I don’t know how to feel about it all.
The fact is that if civil rights laws had been put on state ballots back in the ’60s, we would still have Jim Crow Laws on the books in some places today. And though I imagine that Catholics celebrated the election of Kennedy like it was 1999 when he won, I find it hard as a fair person to celebrate the election of Obama, when couples’ (some that I know) marriages are set to be declared null and void all around me.
I am full of hope for our future, but sick with frustration for our now.
However, another part of me is trying to take solace in the fact that after Kennedy won the election, civil rights was just a few years behind (though I know that it’s debatable whether they would have happened under his tenure had he not been assassinated and LBJ been able to push many of them through in his wake).
I decided a few months ago that “me not being able to do shit” was over. I decided that whatever I dreamed, whatever I imagined for myself, it was going to happen. Work, talent, smarts, time, and patience — I decided to use the five tools that were always available to me (indeed, available to all of us) to defeat any challenge, and so far, when used properly, these tools have worked tremendously well since I made that decision.
And with God as my witness, my children will not reach adulthood, thinking that they, too, can become president, but that they can’t marry the person they love if that person is of the same sex. I declare this, I will live this, I will fight for this until the day I die.
Obama has shown me what fierce determination can do, and I vow to follow in his footsteps.
So thank you Yes on 8 lobby for spending so much of your money to pass this proprosition. Yesterday, I would have settled for California and hoped for the best everywhere else. But today, I’ve decided not to stop until gay marriage is federal. And after that I might ban together with my fellow basic human rights supporters and go for the world.
You just created a lifetime warrior.
We will all be there with you!!!!
We will all be there with you!!!!
We will all be there with you!!!!
Yes we will!
Yes we will!
Yes we will!
Will be right beside you and behind you. Now it’s our struggle to defeat ignorance, hate and discrimination with patience, perseverance and love. (I’m still in shock at how many people wore the badge of hate so proudly and passed this thing through.)
Will be right beside you and behind you. Now it’s our struggle to defeat ignorance, hate and discrimination with patience, perseverance and love. (I’m still in shock at how many people wore the badge of hate so proudly and passed this thing through.)
Will be right beside you and behind you. Now it’s our struggle to defeat ignorance, hate and discrimination with patience, perseverance and love. (I’m still in shock at how many people wore the badge of hate so proudly and passed this thing through.)
Like Delia, I went to bed hoping that things would be different when I woke up (hey, it happened in 2000, why not eight years later?) I was up around 4:30 a.m. grinding my teeth with a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.
People who voted “Yes” don’t realize the magnitude of what they’ve done. While voting overwhelmingly for the first black president, California “Yes” voters just AMENDED THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO MAKE GAYS AND LESBIANS SECOND CLASS CITIZENS. Welcome to the back of the bus.
Apparently there are several million absentee ballots to count yet. I’m not sure of that number or if the majority of them are in favor or against Prop 8, but regardless – the voters had the opportunity last night to take this out of the courts & the legislature, and they voted it right back INTO the courts & the legislature.
And all thanks in part to enormous out-of-state funding from the Church of LDS. They won’t let gays marry once, while their “elders” and “brothers” may marry as many times as they wish to their underage cousins. The GLBT community may make war on the Mormons for their actions. Perhaps I should start a “Fun Facts You Never Knew About the Mormons” Though Chuck series.
“Gay” is the new “black.”
Like Delia, I went to bed hoping that things would be different when I woke up (hey, it happened in 2000, why not eight years later?) I was up around 4:30 a.m. grinding my teeth with a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.
People who voted “Yes” don’t realize the magnitude of what they’ve done. While voting overwhelmingly for the first black president, California “Yes” voters just AMENDED THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO MAKE GAYS AND LESBIANS SECOND CLASS CITIZENS. Welcome to the back of the bus.
Apparently there are several million absentee ballots to count yet. I’m not sure of that number or if the majority of them are in favor or against Prop 8, but regardless – the voters had the opportunity last night to take this out of the courts & the legislature, and they voted it right back INTO the courts & the legislature.
And all thanks in part to enormous out-of-state funding from the Church of LDS. They won’t let gays marry once, while their “elders” and “brothers” may marry as many times as they wish to their underage cousins. The GLBT community may make war on the Mormons for their actions. Perhaps I should start a “Fun Facts You Never Knew About the Mormons” Though Chuck series.
“Gay” is the new “black.”
Like Delia, I went to bed hoping that things would be different when I woke up (hey, it happened in 2000, why not eight years later?) I was up around 4:30 a.m. grinding my teeth with a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.
People who voted “Yes” don’t realize the magnitude of what they’ve done. While voting overwhelmingly for the first black president, California “Yes” voters just AMENDED THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO MAKE GAYS AND LESBIANS SECOND CLASS CITIZENS. Welcome to the back of the bus.
Apparently there are several million absentee ballots to count yet. I’m not sure of that number or if the majority of them are in favor or against Prop 8, but regardless – the voters had the opportunity last night to take this out of the courts & the legislature, and they voted it right back INTO the courts & the legislature.
And all thanks in part to enormous out-of-state funding from the Church of LDS. They won’t let gays marry once, while their “elders” and “brothers” may marry as many times as they wish to their underage cousins. The GLBT community may make war on the Mormons for their actions. Perhaps I should start a “Fun Facts You Never Knew About the Mormons” Though Chuck series.
“Gay” is the new “black.”
I needed to read this today ETC…. It really has lifted my spirits a bit. It was such an emotional evening, many tears were shed and a feeling off pride in my country and those that call themselves americans overwhelmed me. My friends and I litterally danced in the streets with two neighboring houses that joined us. A few illegal fireworks were also lit in the atwater neighborhood… This morning was marked with a different flavor. When I looked up the stats online and saw that Chickens in California gained some rights while mine were stripped, I got really pissed. There is something brewing though… I can feel it in those around me who care deeply about this cause. The time when we’ve had enough has come. Thanks for your compassion, your inspiration, and words of revolution! I needed to read that!
I needed to read this today ETC…. It really has lifted my spirits a bit. It was such an emotional evening, many tears were shed and a feeling off pride in my country and those that call themselves americans overwhelmed me. My friends and I litterally danced in the streets with two neighboring houses that joined us. A few illegal fireworks were also lit in the atwater neighborhood… This morning was marked with a different flavor. When I looked up the stats online and saw that Chickens in California gained some rights while mine were stripped, I got really pissed. There is something brewing though… I can feel it in those around me who care deeply about this cause. The time when we’ve had enough has come. Thanks for your compassion, your inspiration, and words of revolution! I needed to read that!
I needed to read this today ETC…. It really has lifted my spirits a bit. It was such an emotional evening, many tears were shed and a feeling off pride in my country and those that call themselves americans overwhelmed me. My friends and I litterally danced in the streets with two neighboring houses that joined us. A few illegal fireworks were also lit in the atwater neighborhood… This morning was marked with a different flavor. When I looked up the stats online and saw that Chickens in California gained some rights while mine were stripped, I got really pissed. There is something brewing though… I can feel it in those around me who care deeply about this cause. The time when we’ve had enough has come. Thanks for your compassion, your inspiration, and words of revolution! I needed to read that!
I’m not sure I agree that “gay” is the new “black.” But as one half of a “loving” couple I am filled with a mixture of emotions…..bewilderment, angry, fear, etc…..at the fact that not only California but other states around the country like Arizona and Florida also considered and passed a ban on gay marriage and that Arkansas went as far as to pass a ban on gay couples adopting children. Clearly, there are people around this country waging war on gay couples.
I know that a time existed only a short while ago when it was illegal for my husband and I to marry. Hell, in some states the law is still on the books even though it is not enforced (kind of like having a white only sign hanging outside your establishment but saying it does not matter because you do not stop blacks from eating there….I actually saw one of those years ago). My husband and I have been married for nearly nine years and I cannot imagine a world where ANY couple who loves each other as much as we do not being able to marry if they choose!
Ernessa you are so right…..I WILL NOT tolerate a world where my son couldn’t marry the person he loved if that person happened to be another man.
You have a fellow warrior here!
I’m not sure I agree that “gay” is the new “black.” But as one half of a “loving” couple I am filled with a mixture of emotions…..bewilderment, angry, fear, etc…..at the fact that not only California but other states around the country like Arizona and Florida also considered and passed a ban on gay marriage and that Arkansas went as far as to pass a ban on gay couples adopting children. Clearly, there are people around this country waging war on gay couples.
I know that a time existed only a short while ago when it was illegal for my husband and I to marry. Hell, in some states the law is still on the books even though it is not enforced (kind of like having a white only sign hanging outside your establishment but saying it does not matter because you do not stop blacks from eating there….I actually saw one of those years ago). My husband and I have been married for nearly nine years and I cannot imagine a world where ANY couple who loves each other as much as we do not being able to marry if they choose!
Ernessa you are so right…..I WILL NOT tolerate a world where my son couldn’t marry the person he loved if that person happened to be another man.
You have a fellow warrior here!
I’m not sure I agree that “gay” is the new “black.” But as one half of a “loving” couple I am filled with a mixture of emotions…..bewilderment, angry, fear, etc…..at the fact that not only California but other states around the country like Arizona and Florida also considered and passed a ban on gay marriage and that Arkansas went as far as to pass a ban on gay couples adopting children. Clearly, there are people around this country waging war on gay couples.
I know that a time existed only a short while ago when it was illegal for my husband and I to marry. Hell, in some states the law is still on the books even though it is not enforced (kind of like having a white only sign hanging outside your establishment but saying it does not matter because you do not stop blacks from eating there….I actually saw one of those years ago). My husband and I have been married for nearly nine years and I cannot imagine a world where ANY couple who loves each other as much as we do not being able to marry if they choose!
Ernessa you are so right…..I WILL NOT tolerate a world where my son couldn’t marry the person he loved if that person happened to be another man.
You have a fellow warrior here!
I’m on board in the fight.
And as a hetero without a use for her marriage card at present, I wish I could pass it on to one of my gay pals who want nothing more than to wed his/her partner. It’s just not fair.
I’m on board in the fight.
And as a hetero without a use for her marriage card at present, I wish I could pass it on to one of my gay pals who want nothing more than to wed his/her partner. It’s just not fair.
I’m on board in the fight.
And as a hetero without a use for her marriage card at present, I wish I could pass it on to one of my gay pals who want nothing more than to wed his/her partner. It’s just not fair.
Ernessa,
I am so glad you wrote this. I was talking with my friend Tharius yesterday (a black gay man) and we are both just depressed about Prop 8. I was so overjoyed when Obama won, but it was hard to keep that excitement when I heard about the results coming in from CA. I felt particularly conflicted as a black lesbian. I wrote a note on my facebook page that says as much. What made the results out of CA worse for me was that exit polls showed that 70 percent of Blacks supported Prop 8. I know there was lots of misinformation floating around, but is really disheartening when you are a part of two communities that often collide with each other.
But like you I am hopeful and ready to fight the good fight. What made Wednesday bearable was the inspiration I got from Obama’s message of Hope. I was motivated to knock on doors and call people for him. If it worked to elect a black man President than certainly some hard grassroots efforts will work to make sure we are all fully equal under the law and that is more than marriage. We need a federal ENDA law in this country. No one should lose their job because they are gay.
Yes We Can!
Ernessa,
I am so glad you wrote this. I was talking with my friend Tharius yesterday (a black gay man) and we are both just depressed about Prop 8. I was so overjoyed when Obama won, but it was hard to keep that excitement when I heard about the results coming in from CA. I felt particularly conflicted as a black lesbian. I wrote a note on my facebook page that says as much. What made the results out of CA worse for me was that exit polls showed that 70 percent of Blacks supported Prop 8. I know there was lots of misinformation floating around, but is really disheartening when you are a part of two communities that often collide with each other.
But like you I am hopeful and ready to fight the good fight. What made Wednesday bearable was the inspiration I got from Obama’s message of Hope. I was motivated to knock on doors and call people for him. If it worked to elect a black man President than certainly some hard grassroots efforts will work to make sure we are all fully equal under the law and that is more than marriage. We need a federal ENDA law in this country. No one should lose their job because they are gay.
Yes We Can!
Ernessa,
I am so glad you wrote this. I was talking with my friend Tharius yesterday (a black gay man) and we are both just depressed about Prop 8. I was so overjoyed when Obama won, but it was hard to keep that excitement when I heard about the results coming in from CA. I felt particularly conflicted as a black lesbian. I wrote a note on my facebook page that says as much. What made the results out of CA worse for me was that exit polls showed that 70 percent of Blacks supported Prop 8. I know there was lots of misinformation floating around, but is really disheartening when you are a part of two communities that often collide with each other.
But like you I am hopeful and ready to fight the good fight. What made Wednesday bearable was the inspiration I got from Obama’s message of Hope. I was motivated to knock on doors and call people for him. If it worked to elect a black man President than certainly some hard grassroots efforts will work to make sure we are all fully equal under the law and that is more than marriage. We need a federal ENDA law in this country. No one should lose their job because they are gay.
Yes We Can!
One of the main problems with fighting this type of discrimination is money. The LDS and all of the other groups who were supporting prop eight have an endless amount of money to spend . I get so angry over this, these groups should be spending money on fighting discrimination not propagating it.
That being said, if you go to http://www.yourcause.com you can start your own cause page for free. It is sort of like face book for fundraising. You can set up your own page for the charity of your choice as long as it is a 501c. I would encourage all of you to take five minutes of your time and set up a page linked to charity that will help fight this type of discrimination.
One of the main problems with fighting this type of discrimination is money. The LDS and all of the other groups who were supporting prop eight have an endless amount of money to spend . I get so angry over this, these groups should be spending money on fighting discrimination not propagating it.
That being said, if you go to http://www.yourcause.com you can start your own cause page for free. It is sort of like face book for fundraising. You can set up your own page for the charity of your choice as long as it is a 501c. I would encourage all of you to take five minutes of your time and set up a page linked to charity that will help fight this type of discrimination.
One of the main problems with fighting this type of discrimination is money. The LDS and all of the other groups who were supporting prop eight have an endless amount of money to spend . I get so angry over this, these groups should be spending money on fighting discrimination not propagating it.
That being said, if you go to http://www.yourcause.com you can start your own cause page for free. It is sort of like face book for fundraising. You can set up your own page for the charity of your choice as long as it is a 501c. I would encourage all of you to take five minutes of your time and set up a page linked to charity that will help fight this type of discrimination.
Amen!
Amen!
Amen!