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I really didn’t want to have to write this article. It sucked enough when Propostion 8 was actually passed, but it sucks just as much to hear the California Supreme Court rule to uphold the measure this time around. Thankfully, there is a silver lining in that they have also ruled to validate the 18,000 marriages that took place between June & November in California- so it’s not all bad.
But, as easy as it would be for me to be all doom & gloom with this issue- I refuse to let this get me down. Yes, it’s a setback. Yes, it sucks goat ass and is a disappointment… but there is still hope!
The United States has seen tremendous growth in the last number of months with state after state announcing gay-marriage legislation, civil union & domestic partnership enhancements… and the momentum will just continue to build.
Specifically in California, supporters of marriage equality have already begun to mobilize. Courage Campaign has announced it’s support to get the issue back on the ballot for 2010 and is continuing their strategy of grass-roots education and awareness. They released “Fidelity” as a TV spot a few months ago and have revamped it to address the new Proposition 8 decision, and you can view it below:
They are using the tagline “Be Fearless In Response”- and I love it.
I refuse to let this get me down, refuse to feel defeat and refuse to allow our opponents to think this changes anything. The gay rights movement is here, and we won’t stop until equality is ours. It is an exciting time to be part of the gay community and an exciting and important period of history. It’s not going to be easy… but when it’s all said and done- what part will you have played?
Don’t let history happen around you- let it happen because of you. Get involved- in any way you can! It doesn’t matter if it’s talking to your friends & family about the issue, donating your time & money or passing out fliers- every little bit helps and gets us one step closer!
So… today we suffered a minor setback in the court decision to uphold Proposition 8- but a change will come if we fight the fight!! Last but definitely not least, congratulations to the 18,000 couples who were married and whose marriages remain valid!
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Allan
May 26th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I feel weird saying this but I just really hope there is a revolt around this issue! I don’t know who ever thought that it was okay to have a majority vote on something involving a minority. It doesn’t make sense. Hopefully the California LGBT community comes out in full force tonight and sends a message that we won’t let our voices be drowned out!
Nic O
May 26th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Thank you for taking the intimidation out of being part of the movement Kevin. It’s true that every little bit makes a difference. Everytime there’s a “write a letter” headline somewhere, I do, and everytime there’s a chance that I get to march with my community, I do. Simply talking about this issue has opened ears and eyes around me for the last little while, and everyone has a voice in which to do so.
MikeB
May 26th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
The time of letters and hoping something will happen has passed.
Apparently San Diego Pride Society has called on all to protest with peaceful civil disobedience.
Good!
Hope things don’t get too out of hand down there today and tonight, but it’s time for some sort of revolt.
Rome
May 27th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Kevin, thank you for the coverage and encouragement of hope in your article “Proposition 8: The Decision.”
Personally, I was not surprised to learn that the Supreme Court of California upheld the ban on same-sex mariages. I mean, really … why would anyone be surprised? The law of the state was amended in November 2008 by a popular vote and same-sex marriages were repealed. The Supreme Court simply upheld the law of the land. It was a no-brainer!
The bigger debate, in my opinion, is whether Proposition 8 should have been a constitutional AMENDMENT in the first place or if it should have been a constitutional REVISION – which can only be passed by the state legislature or through a constitutional convention.
So which is it? An amendment to the constitution or a revision? Even though I am biased and support gay-marriages EVERYWHERE, it would seem to me that this was a matter of a constitutional revision.
The way I see it, the constitution of the United States is a farce. It is not worth a dime or the paper it is written on. It simply has no meaning. A precedent has been set here. The state of California has now opened the door for others to potentially make other amendments that could possibly revoke other rights and privileges. California used to have laws that denied African-Americans the right to own property. Additionally, California used to have laws that prohibited non-English speaking citizens from voting. Eventually, Uncle Sam over on Capital Hill had to step in and abolish these laws in order to provide equality for these citizens. Where is Uncle Sam … errr uhm I mean Uncle Obama today? I hear time and time again that Americans do not like it when the federal government gets involved. They get scared is what I am often told. However, I would like to know of what exactly they are afraid.
So bravo California, you have essentially created a two-tier class system of people in your “progressive” state. 18,000 gay marriages are still enshrined, but for the rest of the queer population, forget it. You get nothing. And will continue to be treated as a second-class citizen.
Governor Schwarzenegger said yesterday that one day same-sex marriages will prevail; it’s simply a matter of time. Well, if that is the case, why deny human beings these basic rights in the first place? It serves absolutely NO purpose.
Such a shame!
Rome
May 27th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Kevin, this just in:
Today, former U.S. Solicitor General Theodore B. Olson and David Boies have come together and filed a FEDERAL lawsuit against Proposition 8. Earlier today, they (as The American Foundation for Equal Rights) held a press conference.
Follow the link and watch the video of the press conference:
http://www.towleroad.com/2009/05/olson-and-boies-hold-presser-on-federal-challenge-to-prop-8-freedom-to-marry-issues-warning.html
I’m quite happy to see them state that California has now created a 2nd class citizen, and that this is now a federal matter for the US since Proposition 8 infringes upon the civil liberties of gay Americans granted under the US Constitution. State constitutions can not infringe upon the fundamental right to marriage (granted circa 1967). I’m so happy that someone is taking this initiative forward to Washington DC. The video is very uplifting and gives me a greater sense of hope. Please watch it.
Rome
May 27th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Kevin, this just in: (2nd time I’m posting this tho)
Former U.S. Solicitor General Theodore B. Olson and David Boies have come together and filed a FEDERAL lawsuit against Proposition 8. Earlier today, they (as The American Foundation for Equal Rights) held a press conference.
Follow the link:
http://www.towleroad.com/2009/05/olson-and-boies-hold-presser-on-federal-challenge-to-prop-8-freedom-to-marry-issues-warning.html
And watch the press conference video. Very uplifting for me, and they have adressed some of the issues that I have been asking A LOT over the last two days:
1) This is clearly a federal matter now, as Proposition 8 infringes upon the civil liberties granted in the US Constitution. State laws can NOT infringe upon those liberties. Back in 1967, the civil rights movement made landmark decisions that allowed inter-racial couples to marry and thereby eliminated this form of discrimination.
2) They are bringing this matter forward NOW at the federal level, instead of waiting for 10 or 15 more years to deal with it. I believe he used the term that this is a chronic discriminatory situation; hence the reason why it needs to be dealt with now.
Have a look at the video. And keep your fingers crossed.
Kevin
May 28th, 2009 at 10:32 am
Rome- thanks so much for the two great comments and for the awesome update! I’ve put together an article about it here on the site and really appreciate you passing over the information last night. =)