I'll let David@Montreal speak for me about the heartbreaking vote in North Carolina in favor of a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.
beloved Giants
this morning I'd ask for something equivalent to a group hug for all the folks we know and love in North Carolina.
these folks have been heroic in their witness; and in many cases their stand for justice, sanity and full inclusion has cost them- personally.
tired and discouraged perhaps, I urge them to take the time they need for self-carebut to also remember whatever the figures, they are so much further along the arc of history this morning than they were a week ago.
hearts have been changed, voices have found themselves speaking out and some incredible and unexpected allies have come forward.
but these folks are also our siblings in the Body of Christ, so I'd urge you to carry them in your hearts in the coming days. North Carolina is not over!
Amen.love always-always Love
UPDATE: A statement from the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, the Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry, following the passage of a constitutional amendment, called Amendment One. Find a transcript of this statement, and other related resources, online at the diocesan website.
H/T to Torey Lightcap at The Lead.
I echo the Amen.
ReplyDeleteAmen. I am so sad for North Carolina. The bigots won the battle, but they will lose the war. They just do not know it yet. Or perhaps, they do, and that's why they are so desperate.
ReplyDeleteBut before they lose the war, they will continue to do incalculable damage not just to LGBT people but to their friends, and families, and allies. They took the gloves off for this fight, made it as brutal and degrading as they could....and they won. And it will take something like a 3/5 vote of both houses, and passage by the voters, to undo this vicious, vicious amendment.
ReplyDeleteIT, too true. All wars do great damage, but we must not give up hope nor our determination to continue the fight. That may sound Pollyannaish, but it's true.
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ReplyDeleteI'm calling it the metaphorical "Battle of the Bulge." The fear-based overreaching will be the amendment's downfall in the Supreme Court. Experience has shown that Constitutional lawyers of the left and right may not agree on the definition of "marriage," but can often agree when Constitutional rights have been violated.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, in Washington State, the fearful are gathering signatures for an initiative that would negate the marriage equality law passed by our legislature and signed by the governor. We shall see. Rather than falling into anger and fear for myself, I attempt to remember that whatever nonsense we experience now is actually for those yet to come, and then I find my wells of resolve are well supplied.
Yesterday when I went to the polls at mid-afternoon I was the 449th person to cast a vote at a polling place where at least three precincts vote. I haven't checked the percentage of eligible voters casting ballots yesterday it was probably very low. I did cynically wonder if the 448 people casting ballots before me had voted for the amendment.
ReplyDeleteThe real pain was seen first hand at the healing service this morning. There are no words and there is no way that will take away the pain that was inflicted on some of the best, good, intelligent, kind, giving and the very gentlest of people I know by the passage of an amendment crafted by a bunch of self-serving, loud-mouthed, ignorant jerks. That this amendment was on a primary election ballot should give you some idea of their sense of fair play and integrity.
Advice given: Throw up our hands, let go of the anger and pray for the people who craft amendments such as this one and the people who think it is OK to vote for them.
And, also this. A new greeting card just out which says:
ReplyDelete"In North Carolina it's OK to marry your cousin as long as your cousin isn't gay."
Oh I know this is devastating to many people, including me. A friend from NC said this on Facebook:
ReplyDeleteThe NC State Board of Elections is reporting that voter turnout yesterday was 34.37% of registered voters (6,296,759 registered in an estimated adult population of 7,348,521).
There were 1,303,952 votes FOR Amendment One. If I did the math correctly, that means that 20.7% of registered voters (and only 17.7% of adults of voting age) were able to chisel bigotry into our state constitution yesterday.
The next time someone tells me they don't vote because their vote "doesn't count," I'm going to hit them with a clue-by-four.
That's choice! Will join your friend "with a clue-by-four."
ReplyDeleteI also heard that some precincts did not have any voters. For shame.
KJ, I'm sorry to hear about the initiative to negate the marriage equality law in the State of Washington.
ReplyDeleteI attempt to remember that whatever nonsense we experience now is actually for those yet to come, and then I find my wells of resolve are well supplied.
Well and generously said, my friend.
You go, Bishop! A great statement.
ReplyDeleteRuss, it warms my heart when bishops and presidents do the right thing.
ReplyDeleteThere is this one positive comment to add. I live in Buncombe County, NC. The amendment failed in Buncombe County. So, thanks to all of my fellow Buncombe voters who also cast a "no" vote. A gentle sea of blue in a red hot zone.
ReplyDeleteTBTG for the little sea of blue that is named Buncombe County.
ReplyDeleteOther little blue seas were in areas where there are major universities. Speaks volumes!
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