Out Rage

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I've been busy and spent from all the pre-election posting, and I also wanted to think this one through before posting—the passage of California's anti-gay marriage Proposition 8 has been a disastrous moment for gay rights that could, paradoxically, lead to a strengthening of our community. But it's hard to see the future when all the media focus is on the past—namely, the age-old problem of racism is becoming a huge and distracting part of the argument.

We're all sad now, but Proposition 8 was expected to pass. All the polls leading up to the vote showed it ahead. Probably a lot of people were hoping that a surge in Obama voters might help defeat the barbaric proposition, which was designed to write gay discrimination into the California state constitution. I think that when Prop 8 not only failed but failed in spite or even in theory because of the predominance of Obama voters, that shock turned into rage.

Specifically, the key statistic that has become an overwhelming talking point is:

7 out of 10 black voters voted in favor of Proposition 8.

This tidbit is the news because of the irony that in the same year an African-American takes the White House for the first time, 70% of black voters in California went out of their way to remove rights from gay couples and to codify that theft in their constitution. It's ugly.

I'm not going to defend the 70% of African-Americans who apparently voted for Prop 8. Bigotry is wrong, and their presumed religious leanings are no excuse even if that provides some kind of context. Outreach is needed, and future campaigns can not afford to exclude that demographic.

Something to think about: 70% of African-Americans in California voted to rescind gay-marriage rights. Would 70% of gay people vote to rescind any civil rights? I think not. If I were black and gay or black and gay-friendly, I'd be mortified—I'm mortified that 27% (a record!) of gay voters went with the virulently anti-gay McCain/Palin ticket.

But it's so unfortunate that the media has taken that 70% factoid and made it the #1 take-away from the passage of Prop 8. Hispanics/Latinos also voted solidly in favor of the proposition, as did married voters and voters with children. And, of course, Republicans and church-goers. Whites and Asians voted against it—barely—but the only groups to vote against it in impressive numbers were youth voters and gay voters.

Also, there should be no Obama tit-for-tat here. White people did not vote for Obama in spite of or because of his being black (as far as I can tell), we voted for Barack Obama devoid of any consideration for his race. It's not a case of, "We voted one of you into the presidency, why didn't you vote for our marriage rights?" If those are the terms in which we're thinking, then we're just racists who voted for the black guy anyway.

Black activists and bloggers have begun pushing back, pointing out isolated racist incidents (black No On Prop 8ers being insulted and threatend with racial epithets) and sharply criticizing what they believe to be the already exclusionary status of the gay establishment. Jasmyne Cannick—who is formidable but of whom I'm not a fan due to my perception of her "incendiary" default position—blogged about some disgusting N-word bombing under an image (deliberately?) cropped and/or contextualized to make righteous, empowering No On 8 gay outrage look like some kind of queer Hitler youth outburst. Image here:

I am not comfortable with this, and yet the core of the pushback is right.

Vote No On Prop 8—whose campaigning has been criticized up the ying-yang (is that still legal in California? it is? oh, phew!)—sent this text to their constituency:

"This has been an incredibly difficult week for Californians who are disappointed in the passage of Proposition 8, which takes away the right to marry for same-sex couples in our state. We feel a profound sense of disappointment in this defeat, but know that in order to move forward we must continue to stand together as one community in order to secure full equality in California.

In working to defeat Prop 8, a profound coalition banded together to fight for equality. Faith leaders, labor, teachers, civil rights leaders and communities of color, Republicans, Democrats, and Independents, public officials, local school boards and city councils, parents, corporate law firms and bar associations, businesses, and people from all walks of life joined together to stand up against discrimination. We must build on this coalition in order to achieve equal rights for all Californians.

We achieve nothing if we isolate the people who did not stand with us in this fight. We only further divide our state if we attempt to blame people of faith, African American voters, rural communities and others for this loss. We know people of all faiths, races and backgrounds stand with us in our fight to end discrimination, and will continue to do so. Now more than ever it is critical that we work together and respect our differences that make us a diverse and unique society. Only with that understanding will we achieve justice and equality for all."

Sherri Shepherd voters—loyal Dems who think homosexuality "ain't right"—did not take away gay-marriage rights in California. For one thing, all blacks made up a tiny fraction of the vote (not enough for 70% of them to swing it).

Misinfo being spread by ALL FOUR WOMEN. (Swedish story debunked.)

Social conservatives of all backgrounds, funded by the Mormons, are the people who took away gay-marriage rights in California. They are the enemies. And make no mistake—those among them who are not persuadable are mortal enemies. Because they do not see us as being quite as human as themselves, there is no telling what their next moves could be if they are not stopped.

To get a taste of who these people are, I did a quick Google search and found a disturbingly Stepfordian e-community of white women who obsess over their perfect families and worry that what gay people are allowed to do legally will somehow destroy their fantasy world.

Josie Grover's blog "The Grover Family" is just one example. Ironically, her tagline is, "We are fostering the feeling of completness [sic]." She thinks she knows her Bible, but I know I know she simply can not spell. Cattiness aside, Josie blogs about her brood (picturing and naming them) and in October posted the following on Prop 8:

"In the beginning I really wanted to remain neutral on this subject. Ive had homosexual friends who I care about despite disagreeing with their lifestyle, and was just of the mind that everyone makes their own choices. After all, the law holds legal many practices that I myself do not find healthy or ethical. Abortion, alcohol, and tabacco are all legal because people have choosen it so, and my children will always be taught that these things are wrong none the less. 

Let me tell you though, that it will not be so easy to go on with our lives and family beliefs with the issue of gay marriage being validated in society. This is because marriage infiltrates all of society, it is the very core of society. Having it validated will effect churches and schools, and will take away the right of individuals to hold to thier own beliefs as they do concerning marriage. Clergy in churches will not have a choice to whether or not they perform homosexual marriages. Parents wont have the right to decide what is taught concerning gay marriage to thier children at school. Please watch this video to see this point illustrated. It starts off sounding a little bit scripted, but you really need watch it to the end to get what is in jeopardy here. Also, from the LA times, this is another poignant bit of information from someone who is a democrat and does not support the normalizing of gay marriage.

Even all this considrering, the largest factor for me choosing my position in this is that our prophets in the church have said that destruction comes when the majority of the people choose wickedness over righteousness. Mainly, I know that when I stand before my Father in Heaven, I don't want to be of those that have choosen wrongly. I support this proposition because it is the right thing to do. This is not an issue of not being accepting of our fellow man. It does not take away the rights of gay couples, but it does support societies right to view marriage in the way it should be viewed. I do have love for my fellow man and I know many feel we are taking rights away from individuals, and I can understand this argument. I just realize that there is too much at stake. I really hope I have not offended anyone with this post, it definatley is not my wish to do so. I only feel I need to stand up for what I believe in. If you live in California, please vote for this propostion."Josie's points are nonsensical, but they are the positions of the Yes On 8 mini-majority. They believe churches will be forced to perform same-sex weddings under threat of arrest for their pastors (false!) and that defeating this prop would have led to gay subjects taught in school (also false, though that should happen, IMHO). Her main argument is that validating gay marriage would lead to people choosing "wickedness," even though she has "homosexual friends who I care about."

Josie, you are not "friends" with someone if you would vote against their right to marry on the grounds that they are "wicked."

And what about this: If your argument is that wickedness blooms by example, doesn't allowing gay people to hold jobs, appear in public...exist...do the same thing? Why do you draw the line at marriage? Why not push to get rid of us?

Less dramatically, if homosexuality is wicked and contagious if exposed to the light of day, why are you not spearheading Proposition 9, to outlaw lying, adultery or coveting your neighbor's house? Those are at least commandments. More on the marriage tip, why are you not pushing to outlaw divorce?

Gay people and liberals in general would never seek to force social conservatives to be gay; why is it so hard to see that social conservatives' entire agenda is all about forcing others to conform to their own beliefs and their own way of life?

A commenter on Josie's blog named "Mary Child" commented:

"Josie, I have NEVER been so conflicted about an issue as I have been with this one. 

From a religious perspective, obviously I recognize and understand the sanctity of the family, and I totally believe in the inspired words of President Monson. I know that to engage in homosexual actitities is sinful and spiritually detrimental. I've never questioned those issues in my mind.

My struggle is that America is a place in which all men are treated equally under the law, and I have a hard time voting politically from morally based emotion. 

HOWEVER, I have finally reached a point where I can honestly say that I support prop 8, and the article from the LA Times that you referenced summed up my feelings quite well. 

I am glad to have been able to reconcile this within my own heart, because it has been an enormous struggle for me, and even still, many supporters of prop 8 strike me as so bigoted, narrow-minded, and uneducated, that it makes me cringe. 

I have to just remind myself that I am following the prophet on this one, and you're absolutely right: we will all stand before God one day, and I don't want to be there regretting the side I chose. 

I'm finally ready to whole-heartedly support prop 8."

Mary, the reason "many supporters of prop 8" strike you "as so bigoted, narrow-minded, and uneducated" is that they are, they are and they are. And you are—you have cast your lot with cavemen. Hilariously, one of Mary's fave music groups, per her Blogger profile is The Indigo Girls. Oh, and "MIKA is the greatest musician ever."

See, I don't need exit polls to tell me a racial or socio-economic or other breakdown of the people who voted against gay rights in California. I am perfectly capable of despising them as individuals, and that's something I will do even as we sue our way to justice and leave them in the dust of history. One thing I would like to say to these procreation-hyper women is that I am confident that there is a far greater chance their precious tots will grow up and be embarrassed by or even have contempt for their parents' attitudes toward homosexuality than there is that they will grow up and be infected by the same irrational, superstitious hatred.

To have their children grow up into a world full of broadly-definied marriage viewing their parents as dead wrong and hopelessly back-assward is the best revenge.

Comments

[daryl d]

Matt, I think Proposition 8 will be easily overturned by the courts. Remember, a proposition - even if it passes - has to be found constitutional and this obviously isnt. I never get involved in gay rallies or anything but this has forced me to become politically involved. Im furious that where I live in Orange County California, there were signs all over the place for Yes on Proposition 8. Its all bigotry in disguise. Even if a majority of people support Proposition 8, the courts are designed to protect the minority against the majority.

[Mattrett@aol.com]

I think so, too, and I hope so, D.

[Heph]

The issue should never have been allowed on the ballots in the first place, it´s insane.

Regarding those Christian Stepford Claymates: I´m sure men used the bible as an excuse to deny women the right to vote back in the day.
I wish someone would just create a gated community religious theme park where all these anxiety ridden fruitcakes can go and live.
How about Utah?

[Ted]

Josie and the others basically admit that they do not control their own minds, rather they listen to the one called the prophet. What losers. Shes concerned about the majority choosing wickedness. The real issue with Prop 8 is the majority denying rights of a minority. Unconstitutional at the federal or state level.

I was so proud of the CA Supreme Court decision in May, and can only hope they act quickly to squash Prop 8 once and for all time.