Day 108/365 [Year 2]
I'm angry.
I have thought it through and decided that the best word for it is anger.
I try to stay non-partisan. I haven't stated my beliefs directly. Have I made implications? Certainly. I don't like offending people. I really try to avoid it.
I wanted to avoid it. I think everyone should vote for who and what they believe in, as long as that choice is informed. If that means McCain, awesome. I support you for voting for someone, anyone in an informed manner. If that means you voted for Bob Barr, even better. You put alot of thought into it and voted against the [ridiculous] two party system we've established.
I don't care who you voted for as president. I am glad Obama won. We can agree and disagree on this till we're blue [or red] in the face. I won't argue it. Why? Because I respect your right to disagree. I think it's awesome. I'm glad he's here, and I look forward to the changes he will hopefully bring in the coming years.
Doesn't this all sound chipper? Not angry at all, you might say.
Don't let it fool you. I am extremely angry. I am angry that in a country that has come so far as to overcome racism enough to elect an African American president... And don't let any cynics fool you, It's a HUGE HUGE deal that that happened, 50 years ago voting was a hard right to keep for that minority... In a country that can do that... Bigotry still, in a huge way, pervades the election.
I'm sorry. No. I'm not sorry. I am not looking forward to the people who follow this that will be disgruntled on reading this. But you know what, maybe it's good you get disgruntled. Maybe it's time you REALLY think about things.
I don't care who you are. To tell me that gay marriage should not be allowed is to me, the equivalent of slapping me in the face. You might as well call me a Faggot with hatred in your tongue - to do so otherwise would be ineffective as I have claimed the term faggot. It's mine. But that's another conversation altogether. Arizona and Florida, shame on you for disallowing a basic right that you had not previously allowed. California? What the frack. You had it. And you took it away.
No. No arguing yet. Sit down and listen. And listen hard. How would you like it if you, and the person you loved had finally achieved equality in marriage. You had the papers. You were finally legally entitled to the same rights, privileges, and titles that other people get to take for granted. And now... the question of the validity of that union you had already been granted was being called into question.
That makes 30 states that have banned gay marriage. I can't even talk rationally about it. It makes me so angry I come close to tears. Close to very actual tears.
And in Arkansas? In Arkansas it is now illegal for gay couples [and straight, unwed couples] to adopt. What the fuck.
This isn't even politics for me. This is basic rights.
You know what I don't want to hear? I DON'T want to hear about how it's against your religion. I don't give a fuck. I appreciate your right to believe I'm innately evil and going to hell and whatever the hell you want to believe but I'm PRETTY damn sure your savior preached love and respect. And even more so I'm pretty sure we live in a country that established a difference between church and state. We're not asking you to let us marry in your church. We want the government to recognize us as equals and give us the same rights as such. If you don't want a gay marriage. Please, don't get one. It's as simple as that. This has nothing to do with your religion. This has to do with equality and our government. To vote against this makes you a bigot in my eyes. This doesn't mean I'll treat you any differently, because I'm not like that. But I'd be lying if I didn't say I see it that way. Hell I wish I didn't see it that way. And I wish I wasn't so damned angry.
I DON'T want to hear that civil unions are separate but equal. Do you hear yourself? REALLY hear yourself? Do you know what equality is? It's equality without any need for separations. To say that separate but equal is possible is, to me, the equivalent of saying "Well, in the 50s African American's had restaurants they could go to! Sure they couldn't go to the same restaurant as the whites, but they both had food!" There IS no separate but equal. There is equal and there is separation.
[I keep having to stop this to breathe.]
I DON'T want to hear that it undermines the value of marriage. You want to know what undermines the value of marriage? The extremely high divorce rate. Hell, having a location where you can show up plastered and get married in just a few minutes. For that matter, having a place where you can show up sober and in a matter of minutes make what is supposed to be a lasting life decision. I DON'T, in the same line, want to hear that it will lead to an anything goes policy. If I had a nickel for every time someone said "Next sons will be marrying their fathers!" I'd be rich. You KNOW that would never happen and I'm quite sure of it. Do they allow daughters and fathers to get married now? NO. Do they allow farmers and their goats to get married now? NO. Believe me... allowing gays to marry is not going to change that. And By the way, by comparing the two? You ARE Insulting us.
The fact that it has been established in the past that marriage is between a man and a woman is irrelevant to me. I'm pretty sure it was established in the past in this country that women did not vote or hold jobs. Guess what people. THINGS CHANGE. And when they change in a way that promotes equality and freedom, it's a good thing. To not change something because tradition has established it to be one way is absurd.
I DON'T want to hear that one of the problems is that it will require schools to teach that marriage is between a person and a person. This is a good thing. This is teaching equality, and raising children with open mind. THIS IS ACTUALLY A REASON LISTED ON THE YES ON PROP 8 WEBSITE. In plain sight! How can you possibly respect yourself, teaching hate and inequality so openly and casually.
I DO NOT. I repeat, do NOT want to hear that this is "not an attack on the gay 'lifestyle'" It is. It treats us differently and makes us in a different class, a lesser class. It is an attack. And I take it that way. I take it personally. In California, people voted to protect animals [which is fucking awesome, by the way] But not to protect the rights of people. What kind of message is behind this. I also don't want to hear the term lifestyle. LIFESTYLE is a word that implies a choice of a way someone lives their life. If you think I chose to be gay, think again. I fought this for years before coming to terms with it. Why would I choose to be exiled and hated by people who don't even know me simply because of my orientation. Fuck that. It's not a lifestyle, and to vote against it is an attack. An attack on equality rights.
I ESPECIALLY don't want to hear that a family unit must consist of a mother and father. This is insulting far beyond gay rights. Would you say that a single parent raising their kids cannot do as good a job as a couple? NO. You would not. And if you would... how dare you? My friends raised by single parents happen to be just as qualified and balanced as me. I know several same-sex couples with children. And their children are polite, well adjusted, and happy. They are even open-minded and balanced! WHODATHUNK.
Maybe I'm crazy, maybe I should be happy with how far gay rights have come in the past 40 years or so. But I don't think so. I have no interest in SETTLING. I'm not going to say "Well, we've come a long way! I'll TAKE IT!"
Hells fucking no. I know there are bigger issues out there. Cancer. Aids. War. I'm not losing perspective. Hell. I don't even live in California. Thank God, in my state, they still allow gay marriage. 1 of 2 states that don't support discrimination in their constitution. I'm through with politely sitting quietly and pretending it doesn't bother me. It does. It bothers me a lot.
I don't understand how someone can look me in the face, consider themselves my friends, and tell me they will not support gay marriage. And then expect it to not bother me. You might as well say “I don't think you're quite worth having the same rights I do.”
So I'm angry. I'm not willing to stop being angry about this until it's recognized for the bigoted discrimination it is. I? I will fight. Whatever that means. Whoever that means. And I will do so until equality is realized.
Whos with me?
Summed up pretty damn well here. [thanks e_ticket]
Permission [Thanks .Jenna]
NOW ACT [thanks boyshapedbox]
[self-portrait]
//========================
This account is officially actively taking part of Year 2 of my 365 project.
11/05/08 : AM
![Day 110/365 [Year 2]](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3233/3022596914_cf4f61dc53_s.jpg)
![Day 109/365 [Year 2]](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3022/3021794765_48e6c4ea03_s.jpg)
![Day 108/365 [Year 2]](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3044/3009263922_a9c1dd806b_s.jpg)
![Day 107/365 [Year 2]](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3247/3003121588_107f87773c_s.jpg)
![Day 106/365 [Year 2]](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3039/3002845804_7f4db7c177_s.jpg)
Comments and faves
olivepix (43 months ago | reply)
It made me angry too. I'm not gay, nor American, so it theoretically doesn't apply to me. But I feel it does, it applies to everybody. I didn't have to ask the general population if it's ok to marry my husband. Why would people care? I don't understand why they feel it's any of their business, and they have the right to have a say in this at all. Why did the government give them that right?
I couldn't believe they put it on a ticket, and even more so what the percentages were. It was just a way for politicians to wash their hands, now they can say that that's what people want. Shame.
I'm really sorry.
The World Through My Eyes
Rachel McCauley (43 months ago | reply)
I'm with you!
I am straight and from California and boy am I angry. I have a gay sister, gay friends and other gay family members. It blows my mind that these wonderful people I have in my life are being told by ignorant people that they are 2nd class citizens.
Keep fighting sir. I know one day equality will be realized.
I went to a Prop 8 protest last night in West Hollywood. More photos to come!
Also, my sister (pictured on the right), has had the same experience with a couple of her good friends saying that they are voting yes on prop 8 and when she got angry they didn't understand why she was taking it so "personally". These are people she has known practically her whole life. It's just shocking.
fotobicchio added this photo to his favorites. (43 months ago)
. jenna (43 months ago | reply)
I had to also stop to breathe reading this just like you. I read word from word and I am more angry then I was. Last night on the news I saw it being discussed and I"m disgusted, I want to vomit. Like I stated before- why can't two people want to spend their lives together. Man and man, women and women, women and man. If they love eachother then thats that. LOVE AND EQUAL RIGHTS BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE. No one is saying shit, i love my donkey I want to marry him, or I love my daughter I want to marry her. To compare it to that is ridiculous. I have friends that are gay, I don't have many people in my life that are from the gay community but I have a big heart and don't see why people can be treated as equals whether it's sexual preference or race. My sister's serious boyfriend is African American and it disgusts me that people I see make faces or turn their backs and also people close to me might not agree. It's love, everyone should have rights.
I hurt for you. I hurt for all of the gay community. It just boggles my mind and I don't wanna hear the religious bullshit. It should still be recognized by the state...
I'll fight with you Todd!
SarahEllenKeogh [deleted] (43 months ago | reply)
I'll fight with you too Todd! Although I can't vote from Australia I will stand behind you and support you from afar. You have every right to be angry - i was totally disgusted myself when I found out what was happening. What is this? 2 steps forward, 1 step back?
~Twon~ added this photo to his favorites. (43 months ago)
~Twon~ (43 months ago | reply)
Wow. Ok.
So you know what I've said about big picturing, taking it in stride, cutting losses, and all that optimistic jazz. Well I should probably elaborate on the other side of this issue, for me.
It hurts. There is no getting around this fact. It hurts me immensely. For me, this is a political issue, and I make it that way. For my straight friends, coworkers, and allys out there thats what this is to them as well, a political issue. An issue of rights. But what distances me from them is that this is an 'issue' for them. But its my life.
As I said in a comment on Digg (your favorite site), I thanked everyone on a discussion who was voting no on prop 8. And then I went on to explain how insane it is to me to have to thank complete strangers for voting on what i can and cant do with my life, with my love. It feels almost like begging complete strangers who don't even know me for the most basics things that I should be entitled to from the start. And it makes me feel inferior, and devalued as a member of society.
There are lots of jerks in this world, fairly in proportion to the amount of amazing people out there I believe. And its not the hate-monger zealots who anger and sadden me, I've written them off. They will always exist. But its the civil, rational, generally kind people with a decent moral compass who just dont feel standing up for this is worth whatever risk they fear of the outcome. Those are the people who sadden me. The people who would know me, be kind to me, and then not tell me to take it personally because it's just their opinion. Of course I take it personally!
And even, dare I say, to some of those folks who are in favor of gay marriage... as a political issue. They support it because they are liberal and it seems fair and its the right thing to do. Inherently I obviously have no issue with this. But I know that its just another checkbox to them. They dont feel what its like to be put in the public spotlight day in and day out and be judged for something that doesn't concern them in the slightest. Its so hard sometimes. Nor should they I suppose. I don't know what its like to be turned down for house because I'm black, or fired from a job because I'm trangendered. But I go out of my way to not just sympathize with these people, but to empathize with them. Because their struggles might not be mine, but they parallel mine. And I don't see them as a political issue, I see them as a personal one. So don't ever feel like your swimming alone in this ocean of negative emotion, you are assuredly not. You may not believe it, as the different routes we have taken, but it hurts me JUST as much as it hurts you.
Having said that, I try to think I'm basically good, and moral. I strive to be at least. And I try my damn hardest to believe that the general human population does the same. I have to believe that humanity is basically good, and basically just. I have to. But them I see all these states doing these shitty things and it makes me doubt that faith. I use the word faith intentionally, because I choose to believe this, even when the world can be full of evidence to the contrary. Because even if I'm wrong, it makes the world easier for me to live in.
But to say how much this wounds me, makes me feel bad about both the world -and- myself, I still hold to everything I've said before this.
I don't believe people are bad. I don't believe they are inherently self centered (more than any of us) or driven by malice. I do believe, however, that people can be driven by fear. Fear from ill intentioned groups. Fear from their parents. Fear from religion. Fear from society as a whole. And attributing these actions to fear doesn't make them right... but it does help to make them forgivable.
So I say again, there are some hateful people in this world. And there are just some misinformed, uneducated people. People that could be reached. Reached by education... by tolerance... and most of anything, by people coming out.
NOTHING can change a mind of one of these people by having someone they care about come out to them. Because its then that it stops being a political issue for them, and starts being a personal one. And the tide is turning. I know that doesnt make it hurt less, or take the frustration away. But being someone who has faith, maybe you should try turning your faith towards this. Social change is happening. And if being angry motivates you to do and say things to propagate this change, then by all means hold onto that! Anger is a fuel. Outrage leads to action. Action brings change.
But please try, as much as you can, to distinguish the difference between the unfair, unjust actions and the people who brought them on. Hating people will only bring bitterness. I know.... I KNOW... that's easier said then done. But to take a cliche used against us for what seems eons, and to use it on my own behalf.... hate the sin, not the sinner. We need to bring people up, not persecute them. We can't be those we are fighting.
richbct (43 months ago | reply)
one voice...one voice to Heal or hurt...one voice to Build or destroy...one voice to Love or hate....one voice to Stand Up or fall down...one voice
Just SallyRye (43 months ago | reply)
I'm proud of you for writing this - we definitely discussed this earlier and I relayed my thoughts.
But I'm behind you - and this fight.
psykochatter [deleted] (43 months ago | reply)
I love your passion, but hate that it had to come out. It saddens me that this is even an issue. All of he words i try to come up with to explain it fall short.
I'll fight the good fight with you...
aubecherie [deleted] (43 months ago | reply)
I admire your passion (and your ability to make me tear up thousands of miles away with your words)...
Religion is just a sword...People use it as a weapon all too often...
Jesus Christ was a loving, peaceful, amazing man who preached and only loved...I find it so odd that His followers have forgotten this love and replaced it with intolerance. His followers have replaced the meaning of God with wars and judgment.
I say "His followers" because even though I am a person of faith and believe in God with every ounce of me, I will not and never will place myself in a church or allow myself to be compared to how society has ripped and reduced MY God into nothing more than a fearful excuse to hate...
Please remember, just because there are 'red states' doesn't mean the people who live in them are all sheep...I have my Obama sticker, I even have an Equality sticker on my car...I risk being given a ticket easier or my car being vandalized because I make a stand every day when I get on the road that not EVERYONE in Oklahoma shares the same beliefs...We are few and far between out here...But we are still here
<3
Nerboo [deleted] (43 months ago | reply)
Todd, you know I'm from Mississippi, so you can imagine how a lot of people feel about this issue down here.
A decade ago, I would have stood in opposition to gay marriage. Fortunately, people change. It will happen. Believe me!
--
Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)
Lauren Takes Pictures [deleted] (43 months ago | reply)
I am absolutely with you. I was so shocked... not shocked that Obama won, honestly, but shocked about what happened around the country with regards to gay rights. It's appalling. And redundant - by electing a black president we seem to be taking so many steps forward, and at the same time, falling so far backwards when it comes to fundamental human rights.
My parents are both gay. I was raised in about as non-traditional family as you can find. And I turned out fine. No, actually, I turned out awesome. Give me five minutes with Arnold Schwarzenegger and I'll show him what gay people can do.
So, I'm with you, man. We just have to keep fighting.
velvetink / s perrin (43 months ago | reply)
great image T!
--
Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)
Dupmeister added this photo to his favorites. (43 months ago)
Dupmeister (43 months ago | reply)
powerful stuff and I am with you.
This reminds me of a poem written by Martin Niemöller titlted "First they came"
When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.
When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.
When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.
When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I was not a Jew.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.
I am reminded of this poem because our government is telling us who can and cannot share their lives together and many folks cheer and think this is a good thing, they think it is protecting marriage but even if you are not gay and you do not live in these states you are sadly mistaken to think it does not effect you. basic rights are being stripped from families because that family does not conform to the shape the government wishes. this is small and bitter step that can lead to larger steps, those steps will be taken if we do not speak out..
PhotogMatt. [deleted] (43 months ago | reply)
Obama's win spectacular for me, I was so proud that some of the country was done with all..err... most of the racist bullshit.
Then California came back with this crap which is simply pathetic, and it made me sad again that the same people who wanted change on one hand, are still willing to live in their archaic ideology of what constitutes a "marriage". The same people screaming marriage is "sacred" are the ones cheating on their spouses, and getting divorced. So much for sacred.
I fail to see how it's anyone's business who loves who, who screws who, and who marries who. The same people want you to pay school taxes, though you will never have children.
Anyway good luck with your fight, if this presidential race proves anything, it's that change can happen and will happen when people finally open their eyes.
kellyg42 (43 months ago | reply)
Brother, consider this angry lesbian sister a comrade in arms.
Our family is under attack, and I sure as hell won't lie down and take it.
One day we will no longer be one of the only groups left that is legally allowed to be and even encouraged to be discriminated against.
We Come In From the North (43 months ago | reply)
Now, I know you wrote a lot, and I will admit I didn't read it all. I just woke up, so please forgive me.
But! I must say this whole thing is crap. It clearly is a problem of separation of state and church.
But I think we as "faggots" are partially to blame for this as well. A lot of us don't care and there is a lot of separation even within the gay community. We all need to step whether we want kids and/or to be married or not. It's about time the gay community banded together. The bitches and the butches, the bears and the twinks, the dykes and the lipstick and everything in between.
If we want to win this, we need to do something about it.
In my eyes, there is no gay rights movement. We need to take a page from the civil rights movements of the past.
But first we need to come together as a people. And that's not going to happen anytime soon. Sadly.
Steeena (43 months ago | reply)
wow what a vent, powerful too.
I think that's great when people use the 365 project for things like this.
little*wings (43 months ago | reply)
i'm so with you
me and my kids
and all of the FAMILY we have connected to us
you know what kills me?
all of the people we knew for so many years
who judged my former partner and myself
when we decided to separate after 11 years
we were their cases, their evidence that gay marriage was okay
(and these were queers and non-queers alike)
but because we couldn't make it, then what?
it's not about equality?
because we couldn't live up to their ideals?
deciding to separate is far and away the hardest thing i have ever done.
for us to come through that behaving as two reasonable adults
putting the kids FIRST was possibly the ultimate victory of our relationship
and our families stayed right there with us
but too, too many neighbors, coworkers, 'friends' in the community
made their disapproval astoundingly clear
at a time when we needed their support more than ever
the feeling of being damned and abandon by our 'supporters' for not being perfect
makes the fanatic on the street telling me i'm going to hell seem like small potatoes
shame on them
i am imperfect
i deserve equality just the same
i will fight and fight and fight
and i will love just as fiercely as i fight
thp365 (43 months ago | reply)
Thank you so much for that support ... it means so much.
[jointheimpact.com]
Your support from apart is appreciated and felt. Thank you!
thats almost as long as mine!
I think its more than politics. It's civil rights. It's more than religion. It's a government issue, based in the rights of people.
It is. It's absurd that this should be something that we have to discuss in that manner... it should be a given granted right.
You should! It IS personal. How could it not be.
I see your point... and believe me, I know i'm not alone. And there are two kinds of anger... negative... and positive. I don't think this is negative emotion at all. I think this is nothing but positive. I have no doubt it hurts you as well. I never said it didn't.
I respect that. I don't have the same view.. which can be disenheartening for me. But I respect it.
I think plenty of people are bad. Not unchangeable. Bad. Do plenty act out of fear? Sure. I don't think that entirely excuses it either. I think that is further proof of ignorance.
I have no entrance in fighting by using violence or fists. It's all about getting the word out. Talking, writing letters, not staying silent.
Turn what faith. We already established I don't have that faith. I have faith eventually. Not for a while. But eventually things will get better. But I know the ONLY way that will come about is through the fight for that to occur. We didn't get this far by trusting people to change and letting it go passively... we got this far by fighting.
Who said I hated anyone?
I distinctly said I wouldn't hate them. I would consider them bigots. I stand by that. It's bigotry. Even if driven by fear. I'm not trying to be those I'm fighting.
I think we agree in plenty of places. But I think you also misinterpreted some of my anger. I'm angry. not violent. not hateful.
It will lead to meditation.
It is greatly and truly appreciated.
I agree... it sucks that it had to come to this for me... but I accept it for what it is in the hope that future generations will not have to.
EXACTLY. And there are plenty of followers of J.C. who do not take the bigoted path and recognize the difference between church and state. HELL I'm one of them.
I'm not hating in generalizations! I'm not hating at all. I am ANGRY.
I'm not angry at catholics. Or baptists. Or red staters. I'm angry at those who can't distinguish the rights for others from their government. It Sucks.
I have to believe that.
I HAVE to.
Thank you.
I may not know you in person, but you sure as hell strike me as a wonderful person from here.
Keep fighting we will!
I love that poem... and you're right, it has a lot of relativeness here. I appreciate you bringing it out.
Exactly. We need to speak out together. I know you've felt the sting of diversity as well, and I hope you know I have your back wholly as well.
Forward march.
The future is what we make it. And we can make it good.
Thanks.
brother and sister together ... forward we march.
church and state is something that we clearly need to recognize as different. I respect everyones religion... but I expect them to recognize that there is a difference there.
It's true. We need to pull together. It may take some work... and time ... but I think we can do it.
It does come in handy.
My heart goes out to you and yours... and I'm glad your in the fight.
That is decidedly awful. Why should you be held to a higher OR given a lower standard simply because you were the "gay couple" of your area. That is ridiculous.
Someday it won't be the "gay couple" it'll just be the couple.
And this, for this is why we fight.
Thank you everyone... I know I only have so many words for such things... but your support means so very much.
yes.
we.
can.
XXPepper (43 months ago | reply)
Have rewritten this and rewritten it. So much fills my heart when I read your wonderful message. So clear and courageous and perfectly correct. And deeply, deeply moving.
So much fear -- religious or otherwise -- and so much pointless pain that comes from it. The clalrify of your point about people's religions is astounding to me. Religion's irrelevance is so obvious now, that I wonder that it was ever discussed.
I'm sorry that you're being made to feel this way but I'm grateful to you for exposing and sharing it with us.
With love and respect
dakoter. (43 months ago | reply)
I think I love you.
You couldn't have said what I was thinking any better.
Wow. Thank you.
dakoter. and XXPepper added this photo to their favorites.
thp365 (43 months ago | reply)
Uncle Mike: Thank you very much, I really appreciate your response and your support in it and from it. It wells me up in a very real and personal way.
Thats just it. It's not a religious issue. It's a political issue. Religion was supposed to create a system of love, not one of hurt.
Thank you so much. So very much. It warms my heart and mind to get this response.
Dakota: Haha. Thank you.
I'm glad I could express it clearly and in a way you can identify with.
randeclip (43 months ago | reply)
The right wing has vilify gay marriage and used it as a distraction from real world issues. That is why we have a wistful unjust war going on and an economy that is collapsing. Not long ago I was asked by one of the people that I work with what I thought about gay marriage. I told him that I didn't. Two guys getting married doesn't affect my life at all. The price of oil, the world financial market, our misguided foreign policies... these are the things that are important! I told him not to be stupid! Look beyond what they tell you!
Gay marriage will continue to be outlawed by the states, just as civil rights were. It won't change until it becomes a federal issue- just like civil right did.
And it will.
I was not only surprised but impressed that Obama included the word "gay" in his acceptance speech.
I think this was a sign of things to come.
thp365 (43 months ago | reply)
Thats just it. It shouldn't be an issue.
But it is... I understand there are bigger things going on in the world. But this is an issue still. One that is going on here.
I think it is too... but I think we will have to fight for those things to come to ... well ... come.
olivepix (43 months ago | reply)
Friend of mine send me this clip, you should see it.
uk.youtube.com/watch?v=cVUecPhQPqY
frank_mueller_ol added this photo to their favorites. (43 months ago)
thp365 (43 months ago | reply)
olive: Thanks. Aint that an empowering video?
Diogioscuro (43 months ago | reply)
It's probably a good thing that I did not read your essay on your anger about Proposition 8 the day after the election. I was too busy to be on flickr, and too despairing of the decisions of a (slim) majority of my fellow Californians. On election day I ran a polling precinct in Encino, California, and although I kept my own political views to myself, I was disturbed to see how many people were adamant in their decision to vote for Proposition 8. As it turned out, I found out that our precinct voted against the measure by a fairly slim margin, so I am pleased that many that I had feared had voted against me had not.
At any rate, I am still angry as well, but I am pleased to know that the vote against us here in California is not being taken lightly, and many more people who had assumed that the measure would fail are now galvanized to work for it's repeal. But that won't address the bigotry in states like Arizona and Florida, where similar laws were also passed, or in the other states that have passed such laws. Why should the views of the religious fundamentalists impinge on mine? I am not asking them to marry someone of the same sex, just let me do so. Hell, I am not even advocating (yet) a measure banning them from the right to worship because it offends me and breeds hatred from ignorance and fear and is thus a menace to society at large. But, as you wrote, in a government where church and state are separate, then their views should stay inside their churches because outside their walls they mean only oppression to me and other gays who want nothing from them in our lives.
I say: "You don't like it? Don't do it!"
They say: "I don't like it so YOU can't do it."
The Golden Rule says: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
Seems they have forgotten that part of the Bible...
Rock on, Todd...
olivepix (43 months ago | reply)
You're welcome. :-)
I really refuse to believe that this is the end of it. That the "people have spoken". There's no way!
And may I mention how proud I am to be living in Canada?
Beverly & Pack added this photo to their favorites. (43 months ago)
thp365 (43 months ago | reply)
*Inscrutable* (43 months ago | reply)
I'm with you!
maresogno67 (43 months ago | reply)
bella foto
thp365 (43 months ago | reply)
Thanks greatly to the both of you!
sjkmcnally, Joe Athialy, and afrowolke added this photo to their favorites.
cybrariankt (40 months ago | reply)
Your photo is featured in my blog:
web.mac.com/kthomas.1/iWeb/Site 10/Blog/56D2A676-A6E1-4143-BF2D-9BE6CE0462CD .html
thp365 (40 months ago | reply)
.THP
-BARCELONYA-, uspoverty, and bizzmiss added this photo to their favorites.
dsunnquist (37 months ago | reply)
You just so happen to sound like an angry fool. Black people voting for another person with dark skin is exactly as racist as a white person voting for another white guy, only because the color, or lack thereof, his/her skin tone. Wake up - BO supports everything that keeps blacks down. A handout is a push-down. Seriously, try listening to both sides of the story. Your BFF is going to take from those who have and give to those that won't, until nothing but apathy, disdain and disregard is left.
That's the America we can all "hope" for with all this "change."
thp365 (37 months ago | reply)
dsunnquist Um.
Did you read this?
A: I'm white.
B: This really doesn't have much to do with race.
Okay? Thanks.
Dupmeister (37 months ago | reply)
Glad to see cluelessness survived into the new year. I had fears it would be left behind but it is clearly alive and well.
thp365 (37 months ago | reply)
Don: Thanks man! I'm glad to have you in my world!
Riotidiot added this photo to their favorites. (14 months ago)