NO ON PROP 8

I wonder in amazement about how our world view is so skewed. How can we as a people claim to be a free nation and yet limit the rights of individuals seeking the same rights as all others are afforded under the equality of marriage laws in individual states? How does one right granted to some take away the rights of those who are not affected by the decision? Today, the day after the most significant national election in decades, and after the rights of an African American President Elect have been shown to come full circle from only a generation ago, when blacks were not allowed to vote in this country, and just a generation prior to when blacks were held as slaves in this country, we are celebrating his victory, and America’s victory as we have found our way through the bigotry and prejudice we face, we are shadowed with disappointing referenda on state ballots which determined (for now) the fate of those who are gay and lesbian, in committed relationships, limiting their ability in at least 3 specific states (Florida, Arizona, and California).


In California, after being legislated by the state supreme court to be unconstitutional, and after months of legalized gay and lesbian marriages being performed, today it looks as though the highly controversial and very close proposition 8, designating in the state constitution that marriage should only be valid and recognized by a man and a woman will pass by a couple of percentage points. This will put an end to freedom to marry in the state. It will eliminate a right that was granted by the state’s constitution prior to this date. I thought our country was designed with the hope of giving freedoms, not taking them away. Yet because of a host of efforts on proponents of the measure, it will now set back the freedoms we, as a nation, are fighting for. Today, despite the freedoms fought for and achieved by our President Elect, we have been clouded by a wicked religious right, who purports injustice whenever they feel their rights are violated. They have made a case against the rights of people who ache for the right to love and to have equal rights as they commit their lives to each other. It sickens me to think that these same people claim that their main focus in life is to love. Their love is the “right” love and any other love is deemed wrong. They judge, although they are commanded not to judge. And they impose their morals and beliefs on the rest of the world through propaganda and uninformed (misguided) media and “gossip” through the channels of their organizations across the country under the umbrella of God.


As for my understanding of God, he is a God of love, unconditional love, the kind that knows no bounds, the kind of love that forgives, the kind of love that does not judge, the kind of love that crosses over borders and boundaries, the kind of love that promotes peace and common ground, the kind of love that shows others that they matter, that their opinions matter, and the kind of love that is sacrificial even to death – death on a cross.


Despite the decisions made by the slim margins in California, the fights for freedom will never cease. This nation will always hold numerous opinions on a multitude of issues in the coming months, years, decades, centuries and millennia. And as long as there are different opinions, there will be room for debate and the changing of laws, constitutions, and hearts and minds of the majority. If an African American can grow up in a country that once held his ancestors in captivity, to become the leader of the free world, then freedom will reign in the gay and lesbian community, even the freedom to marry and commit their lives to their partner.


My prayer is that the bigotry and hatred will be so transparent that even those who made the decision to vote for Proposition 8 in California will see the their intolerance and lack of acceptance and lack of love, and change their position in elections to come.