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tugrikI'm not a terribly political person, but I have to admit -- this whole Prop 8 thing is seriously annoying me. Now that it's heated up enough that it looks like there's a chance it might pass, I have to voice my opinion on it, even if it means risking a too much of my usual 'neutral stance' with friends and folks here on Livejournal. That's why this is a rare-for-me completely public/un-locked post.
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For the non-Californians out there: Prop 8 is an attempt to change the California state constitution to abolish the existing legal right for couples to marry regardless of gender. No matter how it's trying to be 'sold' to the public, in essence it's a discriminatory attempt to legislate the removal of rights based solely on sexual orientation. It boils down to one group of people telling another, "we don't want you to have the same rights as us." They are using scare-tactics and bullying to try and get their way... and unfortunately, those tactics have been working.
Because it is primarily driven by a religious viewpoint, I view Prop 8 as an improper mixing of Church and State on top of being a basic human rights issue. Nobody should be able to change constitutional law to enforce the codes or morals of their religion. What's next? Outlawing other religions other than your own? Removing the rights of citizens who choose not to follow a religion at all?
No matter how laid back and 'don't raise a fuss' I usually am about politics, I feel that it's important to stand up and say This Is Not Right. Why are people so threatened by gender issues and marriage? In what possible way can it hurt you when two people get married, no matter what genders they happen to be? If your religious or moral influences say otherwise then please use them as guidelines for your own behavior; don't go project them on others.
Even though I am a straight man, I'm still affected by the outcome of this measure. It will have a hugely negative impact on my non-straight friends and neighbors. It will establish the principle that some people are "less equal" than others. Even if I was being completely self-centered about it, a victory for Prop 8 gives far too much power to religion's political influence in general -- eventually leading down a road where my life could be legally regulated or harmed by someone else's religious beliefs.
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So what can I do to help? I feel that speaking up is the most important thing, which is why I'm making this post. I'm talking openly about this issue with family, friends and neighbors. Also, because I have the means to easily make them on my large-format printing equipment, I'm going to make a batch of "Straight People Against Prop 8" bumper stickers. One to put on my car and a ton more to give out for free.
Anybody else want one? If you're local, just drop by and I'll give you a few. If you're elsewhere in the state and want one mailed, just drop me an address (tugrik@gmail.com) and I'll send a few out in an envelope. If you've got ideas for the stickers' designs, please send them my way and I'll gladly print them up (it's just plain, bold text right now, as I don't have much artistic skill).
I think everybody should spend at least a little time talking about this issue with not only their friends and family, but their community. Meet those around you and see how they feel, no matter what their sexual orientation. Hopefully after you meet those around you and find they are just as human as you are, you'll realize: when it comes to making laws, treat humans as humans, not as 'gay' or 'straight'. It's the right thing to do.
For the non-Californians out there: Prop 8 is an attempt to change the California state constitution to abolish the existing legal right for couples to marry regardless of gender. No matter how it's trying to be 'sold' to the public, in essence it's a discriminatory attempt to legislate the removal of rights based solely on sexual orientation. It boils down to one group of people telling another, "we don't want you to have the same rights as us." They are using scare-tactics and bullying to try and get their way... and unfortunately, those tactics have been working.
Because it is primarily driven by a religious viewpoint, I view Prop 8 as an improper mixing of Church and State on top of being a basic human rights issue. Nobody should be able to change constitutional law to enforce the codes or morals of their religion. What's next? Outlawing other religions other than your own? Removing the rights of citizens who choose not to follow a religion at all?
No matter how laid back and 'don't raise a fuss' I usually am about politics, I feel that it's important to stand up and say This Is Not Right. Why are people so threatened by gender issues and marriage? In what possible way can it hurt you when two people get married, no matter what genders they happen to be? If your religious or moral influences say otherwise then please use them as guidelines for your own behavior; don't go project them on others.
Even though I am a straight man, I'm still affected by the outcome of this measure. It will have a hugely negative impact on my non-straight friends and neighbors. It will establish the principle that some people are "less equal" than others. Even if I was being completely self-centered about it, a victory for Prop 8 gives far too much power to religion's political influence in general -- eventually leading down a road where my life could be legally regulated or harmed by someone else's religious beliefs.
So what can I do to help? I feel that speaking up is the most important thing, which is why I'm making this post. I'm talking openly about this issue with family, friends and neighbors. Also, because I have the means to easily make them on my large-format printing equipment, I'm going to make a batch of "Straight People Against Prop 8" bumper stickers. One to put on my car and a ton more to give out for free.
Anybody else want one? If you're local, just drop by and I'll give you a few. If you're elsewhere in the state and want one mailed, just drop me an address (tugrik@gmail.com) and I'll send a few out in an envelope. If you've got ideas for the stickers' designs, please send them my way and I'll gladly print them up (it's just plain, bold text right now, as I don't have much artistic skill).
I think everybody should spend at least a little time talking about this issue with not only their friends and family, but their community. Meet those around you and see how they feel, no matter what their sexual orientation. Hopefully after you meet those around you and find they are just as human as you are, you'll realize: when it comes to making laws, treat humans as humans, not as 'gay' or 'straight'. It's the right thing to do.
