From Soulforce:
Dear June,
Today is a day of blessing seasoned by loss. For even as America's historic presidential election ushers in a new dawn of fairness and inclusivity, a majority of voters in Arizona, Arkansas, California, and Florida have voted, once again, to exclude some Americans from the fundamental promise of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
Ironically, from the very beginning of his campaign, President-elect Obama abjured the politics of division and exclusion that have marred our political process by depicting some groups -- immigrants, poor people, people of color, and LGBT people -- as dangerous "others" who threaten our national identity. Obama's own story gives us hope for a more perfect, and more fully inclusive, union. But, as always in our nation's history, there remains more work to be done in order to make our most cherished ideals a reality.It appears that it's not yet bent enough toward the .
My heartfelt gratitude goes to all of the dedicated, tireless people who worked to defeat discriminatory ballot measures. Soulforce shares your pain, disappointment, and concern for the many couples and families who are more vulnerable because of this legislation. The extent of the misinformation that we faced in these struggles was daunting, but please know that your work has already borne fruit. And take comfort in knowing that those who voted for discrimination are mere footnotes to larger trends in public opinion -- which is shifting in favor of legal recognition of same-sex couples -- and to the larger narrative of American history -- which is continually refining its promise of liberty and justice for all.
IT and her Beloved were married only a few short weeks ago. My thoughts are with them and all who are immediately affected by these votes. As I said to IT in the comments to another post:
"The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice..." MLK
It appears that it's not yet bent enough toward the justice of gay marriage in California. I'm sorry.
....
MLK did not live to see an African-American elected president, but the quote still stands. I know it's hard for you to see that now. Your day is coming. I know it in my heart.
UPDATE: Please read Counterlight's beautiful post and listen to the lovely song dedicated to IT and BP.
How sad. I had hoped that decency compassion and common sense would prevail.
ReplyDeleteIt's very disappointing about Proposition 8. I guess the only thing to do is start hassling President Obama and our new Democratic Congress today.
ReplyDeleteIt's not hopeless. I mean, who ever imagined we'd wake up today with an African-American president-elect? Someday we'll have a woman president, a gay president, and maybe even a Muslim president. I didn't believe that before, but I believe it now.
But it won't happen easily.
The battle is not over, and the trend is in the right direction. The opposition is a dying breed.
ReplyDeleteWell, as with Bishops...we already have had a gay president (sadly he was one of the worse) James Buchanan. DP et al - decency, compassion and common sense are there in abundance - MILLIONS of Americans voted in favor of gay marriage - postive outcomes in any of these votes would not have put a final nail in the coffin of anti-gay bigotry. Twenty years ago, the president couldn't even bring himself to say the word AIDS, despite the deaths of thousands of gay American men. Major newspapers in this country refused to use the words gay or lesbian in their reporting of GLBT issues which was almost non-existent. Yesterday we may have lost the battle in California, but we're winning the culture war - it will simply take time.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of those days that I wonder if it wouldn't be best for those gays and lesbians with families to seek refuge in a more enlightened nation.
ReplyDeleteThe US is a beautiful land marred by so many ugly souls.
Mark, it might be best for you to go, but I hope that you don't. We need you here.
ReplyDeleteTrying to get rid of me, huh?!
ReplyDeleteI'll never leave now!
Seriously, though, I do believe I should stay. I thought of those with spouses and children. They have much to protect and much to lose. Sometimes, I wonder if it wouldn't be best for them to shelter somewhere while we - with comparatively little to lose - fight on the ground here.