I'm not from California. I'm not gay. I'm not lesbian. I can't vote, but I want to stand in solidarity with my brothers and sisters in California to ask those of you who can to vote "No" to the ban on gay marriage.
My virtual friend IT married her beloved only a couple of weeks ago. They want to stay married for more than a few weeks.
Here is a portion of IT's account of her marriage:
Our wedding last Sunday went off wonderfully, and we have just returned after a relaxing, and largely internet-free, honeymoon which we spent doing nothing in particular. During this time we of course contemplated the remarkable fact of being married and what it means to us.
Of course, it has not changed what we mean to each other. I have loved my beloved partner-spouse for many years with every part of my being, nothing different there.
But what HAS changed is something of our view of our relationship. We were rather surprised to find that we both felt this change.
Read the rest of IT's account at the link above.
What can you do to help in California and elsewhere? Watch the video at Vote No On Prop 8, and then hit the "Donate" button.
[ Find Your Polling Place | Voting Info For Your State | Know Your Voting Rights | Report Voting Problems ]
Grandmere --You'll be happy to know that all five of the members of my family remaining in California are voting NO on Prop 8.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post! Three couples from the church I serve went to CA this past week to get married. I can't wait to see them!
I am from CA. I'm not gay and I'm not lesbian. :-). I Will vote NO! The people of CA will say no VERY LOUDLY on Tuesday. The rest of the country will follow...one day
ReplyDeleteI absolutely would if I could!
ReplyDeleteIn there in spirit.
When will the results be out?
ReplyDeleteThat is:
When do polling stations close?
When are the votes counted? and
When will the results be out?
Smooch!
ReplyDeleteAnd here's An Aria for Grandmère Mimi
No No No No No No on 8!
ReplyDeleteMargaret, that's great news.
ReplyDeleteElectric Voodoo, yay!
I hope that one or two or more undecided Californians stray this way and decide to do what the button says and vote "no". Maybe a voter will visit and change his/her mind from "yes" to "no". The rest of y'all are the choir.
Göran, the voted is Tuesday, Nov. 4. When the polls close and votes are counted, we will know.
Mike, you gave me my first laugh of the day. Thanks, you crazy Texan.
Yes Grandmère, but when do they close?
ReplyDelete8 o'clock, 9?
And it's not the popular vote, but the 468 electors that decide.
We don't have indirect elections any more (not since the 1st chamber was abolished in 1974).
Will it be quick as in Inda, or take several weeks as here?
ReplyDeleteGöran, different states have different rules. I don't think it will be like India. I don't have time to look it up, because I've got to run, but someone from California may show up and answer you questions.
ReplyDeleteGöran, the polls close at 7-8pm, depending on the state.
ReplyDeleteHowever, because of the 3hr time difference coast to coast, results may be coming in from the East Coast while the West Coast is still open. The media are supposed to avoid "calling" the race until the West Coast polls have been closed, so that West Coasters don't give up and go home.
Exit polling will go on however, and will give some indication of how things are going for the presidential race.
For local races, it depends on the margin. For close votes like Prop8, we may not know till the next day, or even later, depending on whether there are recounts.
IT
Thank you dear.
ReplyDeleteI surely will bite my nails...
There's an organized effort TONIGHT to distribute Proposition 8 propaganda to kids!
ReplyDeleteSee this site for details and watch out for it!
There's an organized effort TONIGHT to distribute Proposition 8 propaganda to kids!
ReplyDeleteSee this site for details and watch out for it!
This is not just an issue about gays and lesbians. I recommend you read the post at editorial section http://editorialsection.com for another perspective.
ReplyDeleteThis is not just an issue about gays and lesbians. I recommend you read the post at editorial section http://editorialsection.com for another perspective.
ReplyDeleteSound's like this is a pretty one-sided discussion, so I thought I would speak up.
ReplyDeleteThere is more to the gay marriage debate than the “right” of every adult to seek their own self-fulfillment through romantic and sexual partnerships. The family as the foundation of society has been weakened by a “liberation” movement that gave us sex without responsibility and undermined by no-fault divorce laws that gave us marriage without commitment. Now the concept of marriage itself is under attack by those who claim that the basic biology of male-female reproduction has nothing to do with the formation of marriage and families. Instead, they offer us a concept of marriage as nothing more than the sexual and romantic alliance of any two adults in any combination of genders. In this construct, marriage has nothing at all to do with the bearing and rearing of children, and everything to do with adults’ search for self-fulfillment and happiness.
Sometimes, we as individuals need to put aside personal desires for the good of our families and communities. As parents, we don’t give in to our child’s cry of “not fair” whenever they don’t get their way. Instead, we go ahead and do what is best for them and for the family. Perhaps we as a society need to stop pandering to the cries of “not fair” that fall so easily from the lips of those who want to re-write society’s most fundamental institution. We need to take a stand for the good of society and especially for the rights of our children, born and unborn, to have a father and mother whose marriage is honored by society as a uniquely significant social institution, with the power to bind father and mother to one another and to their natural offspring. Such a marriage is an ideal, and like any ideal not every family will exactly mirror it, but if we don’t hold up the ideal our society will lose something of infinite value.
People assume that Proposition 8 is about hatred. Personally, I do not hate those who live a homosexual lifestyle. I understand their yearning for companionship. I do not object to domestic partnership laws that give same-sex couples the rights and obligations of marriage. But I do object to a few individuals trying to change for all of society the definition of marriage. I fear the effects of such a redefinition will be felt in generations ahead.
I will vote Yes on 8.
Peace,
Paula
Paula, please read the counter argument here, which discusses that society has uncoupled marriage from procreation,
ReplyDeleteand also consider that WE have children TOO. And we will not stop having children just because you want to deny them legal protections.
There is no way my faithful, monogamous committed MARRIAGE in any way undermines society or the meaning of MARRIAGE.
You straight people have done that all by yourselves.
IT
Paula ... puleeeze ...
ReplyDeleteCan you document any state that places a reproduction requirement on a civil marriage contract?
Can you document any state that refuses those beyond childbearing age the right to marry?
I didn't think so.
Now kindly keep your hatred to yourself.
By the way I might also add that in my opinion, the state should give EVERYONE a civil union, and leave "marriage" to the churches. But unless and until it does, separate is NOT equal.
ReplyDeleteMy wedding day was the happiest day of my life. And our kids were there to celebrate it with us. Don't you dare tell me that marriage means less to me than any straight person. DOn't you dare imply I take it less seriously.
IT
As parents, we don’t give in to our child’s cry of “not fair” whenever they don’t get their way. Instead, we go ahead and do what is best for them and for the family. Perhaps we as a society need to stop pandering to the cries of “not fair” that fall so easily from the lips of those who want to re-write society’s most fundamental institution.
ReplyDeleteSo in your model, Paula, (privileged) heterosexuals are caring adult parents, and (discriminated) homosexuals are whiny children?
How very convenient for you.
Lord have mercy!
Instead, they offer us a concept of marriage as nothing more than the sexual and romantic alliance of any two adults in any combination of genders. In this construct, marriage has nothing at all to do with the bearing and rearing of children, and everything to do with adults’ search for self-fulfillment and happiness.
ReplyDeleteAnd you would reduce it to rutting and breeding stock.
We are not crying "unfair" - and, I assure you, you are in no better position to play at adult than any of us - but stating that it is unjust. Not only are you having to do with an unjust tribunal, Paula, but creating one!
However, let's look at the idea of government having a say because the family as breeding and rearing unit is of such great importance. We should absolutely, in that case, allow who is to marry, as breeding undesirable traits together or bringing a child to be reared by those who don't share our community views is a danger to the larger society. We should place a strict prohibition on the number of children, and require proof of fertility in the case of marrying couples. Marriage without breeding should not be allowed, and all privileges and protections of marriage must absolutely be negated at the time of the children's leaving home or attaining age of majority. Financial ability to support the children must be taken into account by the state, as a family who produce children they cannot afford will be a drain on the larger society.
This is the logical extension of your thinking, Paula. You can't have it both ways.
Plain and simple: This world will never ever never be better until there are equal rights for ALL. Why is that so hard to understand?
ReplyDeletePaula, nevermind the feminism, sexual liberation, and no-fault divorce. That's not under discussion here. You say:
ReplyDeleteInstead, they offer us a concept of marriage as nothing more than the sexual and romantic alliance of any two adults in any combination of genders.
That is wrong, just plain wrong. I know a goodly number of same-sex couples in faithful, devoted, committed relationships - relationships that put many opposite-sex couples to shame.
Marriage is not always about procreation. Some couples can't have children. Some couples choose not to have children. Same-sex couples do have children.
If a married same-sex couple lived next door to you, tell me how they would undermine your marriage, if you are married. How would they affect your commitment to your husband? Give me one example of how you, your husband, and your children will be affected at all?
Sometimes, we as individuals need to put aside personal desires for the good of our families and communities.
That's easy to say when you lay the burden on others. Your arguments are old and tired. I've heard them all before. Vote as you will.
Peace to you.