I've been reading others' posts, in blogs and on Facebook, thinking about the election results. Compared to many of my friends and acquaintances, I feel like a real "party-pooper."
I'm glad to see history being made. I'm relieved that we don't have to worry about Palin becoming the president. I'm thrilled that McCain lost. But, I don't really believe that change is coming. How will "change" be measured? Will the chokehold of capitalism, consumption, and individualism be lessened? Will we really be out of Iraq any time soon? Will all citizens of the US be granted the same rights and privileges regardless of sexual orientation? No, no, and no.
In California, a constitutional amendment to ban marriage for same-sex couples is winning 52% to 48% with 92% of the precincts reporting. That is incredibly disappointing. In Florida, one of the places I grew up, a constitutional amendment banning marriage and all legal protection for same-sex couples passed 62% to 38%. Not surprising, but still offensive. In Arizona, where I attended graduate school, a second attempt at a constitutional amendment banning marriage for same-sex couples passed 57% to 43%. And, in Arkansas, a ballot initiative banning adoption and foster care for all unmarried couples passed 57% to 43%. So much for truly caring about the lives of kids.
One acquaintance, on her Facebook page, wrote that she is "is disgusted in CA, AZ, AK, and FL. Suck it hatemongers." One of her "friends" replied via comment, "Not everybody has a problem with how AR voted." Ick.
To be fair there were some "good," imho, results (e.g., Massachusetts, Michigan, South Dakota...), but when it comes to writing discrimination into state statute or constitutions, bigotry prevailed. So sad.
I put off posting anything today because I just didn't know what to say. I don't want to rain on anyone's parade. But, I can't help but thinking that if I were still sitting in Minnesota, nothing in my life would really have changed, or even feel like it had changed. I would still be a second class citizen. My family would still not have legal recognition. And more people have expressed their belief that it never should. Sorry, but I just can't find it in me to be more joyous about yesterday's results.
10 months ago
5 comments:
Amen Sister!
As folks arrived at work this morning, they asked me "who won?"
I said, "don't know, don't care".
I was more interested in personal emails and facebook than knowing who may think they have control of this country. Obviously the narrow-minded bigots do!
Just because Obama's folks were bi-national does not mean that he can do anything about federal laws that do not recognize same-gender couples. An act of congress takes congressmen, and congressmen vote the way their constituents do - enough said.
They had to ask who won???
Don't forget the CongressWOMEN. The 6th Congressional District of Minnesota has, truly, the most homophobic member of Congress as their representative, Michele Bachmann. And, as if she isn't bad enough on her own, her husband is a Twin Cities "therapist" who believes in reparative therapy. Ish, as they say in Minnesota. What a pair.
I was very underwhelmed by his win, too. I call most Americans "RepubliCrats" as I don't see the differences between the parties the way a lot of people do -- there are more similarities than differences. They are both exceedingly capitalist, pro-christian, anti-gay marriage and anti-socialist. GMAFB. I think that Obama's win is a bit heartwarming in that his platform *was* one of hope for MOST people, but shockingly HOPLESS for the GLBT community. And I have trouble reconciling that. I think had McCain won, I'd have felt the same way. Underwhelmed.
GMAFB? Call me clueless...
GMAFB -- Give me a friggin' break
:)
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