Proposition 8

Proponents of Proposition 8 Celebrate
Click here to read LA Times article

"Research and polling showed that many voters were against gay marriage, but afraid that saying so would make them seem 'discriminatory' or 'not cool.'"

If Proposition 8 passed in California, what chance does the rest of the country ever have of establishing equal rights for gays and lesbians? California, which is probably considered the most progressive state in the U.S., passed a measure prohibiting gay marriage by 52% on November 4. While I am ecstatic about Obama's victory, I am also saddened and disappointed by this step back for the GLBTQ community. Although they are determined to fight it, the results of this election show that most people see this as a moral issue rather than a civil rights issue, and as a Christian, I could not disagree more. I do see marriage as a moral issue - committing to remain faithful to one person and doing so is a holy alliance. But I see the prohibition of marriage to certain people as a civil rights issue. Why prohibit someone from wanting to make a lifelong commitment that is respected by the rest of society?

I have not always been as progressive as I am now. I was raised in a conservative homophobic community, by conservative parents (one of whom is homophobic). In college, I would have been skeptical about accepting a gay or lesbian lifestyle, at least as a Christian lifestyle. This was also before I had any gay or lesbian friends. When I moved to Portland, I became friends with a number of people who were gay or lesbian, and I realized a few things: 1) most of them did not choose this lifestyle 2) most of them were not abused in their past and became homosexual as a result (a belief held by many people who see homosexuality as wrong) 3) most of them were just like me - in their 20s, looking for a good time, trying to make friends and find love. Or at least sex, if they couldn't find the other.

I think that heterosexism is still an acceptable form of discrimination in our society. I notice this in Ohio where we live - most of my friends who have grown up in this area, and especially those who still live here, tend to be against gay marriage. Or, as they would see it, for one man one woman. It's not an issue I discuss much - especially with people that go to our church. I would love to be part of a liberal congregation that is against Proposition 8, or at least divided on the issue. But if that issue ever came up for vote around here I know that 99% of the people I attend church with would be hard-core in favor of it.

I included the quote at the top because I think it's interesting that people in California are positioned in opposition to myself; I favor gay marriage, but I'm afraid to speak up because people might think I'm not a Christian, or "uncool." What is this cool factor? I guess all of us want to be accepted and loved - which brings me back to the original issue. Gays and lesbians just want to be accepted and loved in our society; no one is out to destroy marriage or corrupt young children. GLBTQ people just want the same rights as everyone else: the right to get married, to have a family, to be seen as normal, to be "cool."