Gays Still Second-Class Citizens in America

Although the election of Barack Obama may be good news for progressives and civil rights advocates, four ugly ballot initiatives aimed at suppressing equality for gay and lesbian Americans passed handily.  In Florida, Arizona and California, discrimination was written into state constitutions that will deny committed LGBT couples the legal protections enjoyed by their heterosexual counterparts.  The battle over California's Proposition 8 was the tightest, with 52% of voters approving the repressive measure.  The amendment will likely negate the estimated 18,000 same-sex marriages performed after the California Supreme Court approved the unions back in May.  Prop 8 was the most expensive initiative on any ballot in the nation this year, with more than $74 million spent by both sides.  It also marks the first time in our country's history where a law has been passed taking away rights that citizens have already been granted. 

In Arkansas, voters approved a measure that bans unmarried couples who live together from being adoptive or foster parents.  From Associated Press:  The measure's sponsor, the Arkansas Family Council, tried to paint it as a battle against a "gay agenda."  Opponents argued it would make it harder for the state to find the foster parents it needs to take care of children.  The measure grew out of a 2006 Arkansas Supreme Court decision that struck down a state policy banning gay foster parents.  A push to enact a ban similar to the ballot measure during the last legislative session failed.

Right-wingers will no doubt experience smug satisfaction knowing they are still legal superiors to those whose sexual orientation is different.  Christian fundamentalists will convince themselves that God is on their side. The Sally Kerns among us will cheer, the Sarah Palins will wink and nod, the James Dobsons will praise the Lord and shout hallelujah.  But despite the historic outcome of this presidential election, we cannot pat ourselves on the back too heartily.  After all, millions of our nation's tax-paying citizens are still being treated unfairly under the law.  Until that disparity is addressed, the true meaning of equality will remain as intangible as a rainbow.

Related Post:  Arkansas: No Gay Adoption. Too bad for orphans.

Related Post:  How Obama Bolstered Prop 8 Advocates

Related Post:  Pence: Anti-Gay Marriage Sentiment Helps GOP

Comments

[Mike]

Some people just think gay marriage and gay adoption is wrong. I'm not a Christian, a conservative, or anything like that. It just is not compatible with my personal beliefs.

[Bee Girl]

This really sucks. I can see there's still lots of work to do. I'll be curious to see if all Obama's talk about change will improve the lives of LGBT folk.

[Brad]

I don't think the initiatives were ugly at all. They were beautiful! What's ugly is the perverse idea that same sex people should marry each other and raise children.

Keep it in the closet where it belongs, kids.

[Carol]

I was raised by same-sex parents. They taught me to respect other people, which is why I wouldn't go online and put other people down. Yours obviously didn't teach you that.

[Tommy Houghteling]

Having our cake and eating it too… “The Sacred Institution Myth”

In October of 2006, President Bush deemed marriage “a sacred institution” whose “protection is essential to the continued strength of our society.” No doubt many citizens across the countryside nodded their heads in approval of this pious declaration. The evidence was found in the passing of bans on gay marriage in no less than 11 states in the following weeks and a new initiative to do so here in the great state of Texas. But, I wonder if maybe the whole swell of support for a biblically based marriage might not be a bit nearsighted?
Assuming the phrase “sacred institution” implies a marriage as defined by Judeo-Christian scriptures, well meaning conservatives across the country are short changing their own value systems by being so narrow in their approach to this problem. If they truly want to recapture the institution of marriage from the hordes of heathen who would otherwise reduce the sacred to a mere contract, then why not broaden the bans to include other offenses against this most holy of covenants.
To start with, all marriages between non-Christians or to a non-Christian should be declared null and void. Forget about the families that will be destroyed or the lifelong love shared between many couples. If we hope to define marriage from a scriptural point of view, these unholy unions must be dissolved. Furthermore, all second marriages should be equally banned except, of course, in the case of marital infidelity. In which case, only the offending party should be refused a marriage license by the state. This means that couples w ho hate one another or suffer from abusive relationships must remain married, or at the very least, must live separately without remarrying. What about the “pursuit of happiness,” you might ask. What about those women whose husbands abuse them? Are they not entitled to a fresh start? While all good points, they are irrelevant if we ever hope to be consistent on the “Sacred Institution” bit.
I hope by now a bit of sarcasm is detected. The truth is, the idea that marriage is a “Sacred Institution” is a myth. Undoubtedly there are many for whom marriage is a sacred and holy thing. But the value of those unions doesn’t come from a state granted right, rather it comes from the couple’s own faith, love and belief system. The attempt of many to ban gay marriages is a misguided and hypocritical effort. By draping this issue with scripture, they only succeed in condemning themselves or others whose marriages are not up to par w ith the holy texts.
So why do they do it? Why are there so many in our country who believe strongly enough about this issue to put it to a vote? It certainly can’t be veneration for the scriptures, nor can it be out of a genuine sense of maintaining the purity of marriage. One only has to look at the 50% divorce rate in this country to see that. Instead, I think something far more sinister is happening. Something so anti-Christian, so opposite what the scripture teaches about how we are to interact with our fellow humans, that it cannot be deemed anyth ing less than hatred. Call it the “ick-factor”, homophobia or whatever you would like, the simple truth is... this reaction against homosexuals and their efforts to form lasting relationships is not based on scripture, but rather on hate. In Jesus’ time, there existed a group of people who used scriptural law as a way of subjugating people. A group so immersed in the idea of controlling others, that they failed to see their own faults and short comings. They were called Pharisees.

[freds]

I love the irony of the Mormon church backing Proposition 8 in California. Think about it. A former polygamist cult insisting that marriage is between one man and just one woman. Delicious.

[Z]

It amazes me that we live in a society that seeks groups of people to discriminate against. In the near future when opposing gay marriage is seen to be as ridiculous as opposing bi-racial marriage who will fill this role? People with glasses? Individuals who are left handed? Humans do this to make themselves feel superior to others, and it will not end anytime soon. Sad, but true.

[Jeff]

Good for Arkansas! Having a mother and a father present for a child greatly increases the odds of that child growing up healthy and happy. I am an atheist father. I believe a child's needs should come first-not a perverted ideal by people with brain disorders (my opinion). Like I stated on another thread: You guys do have equal rights. You have the right to marry someone of the opposite gender and raise happy, healthy children. The children SHOULD have the right of having a mother figure and a father figure. Why do you want to take away a basic necessity from a child?

[Jason Arron]

I have to put in my two cents worth... One I am Gay and do not care what anyone says.. I agree personally marriage is between a Man and a Woman and that a Civil Union should be between gays. As for the right to not have children.. Tell that to my whore of a mother. From the day i was born she knew i was gay and she would beat me and hit me... she told em i would never amount to anything and beat me and hit me. Well i have been shot by a family member for being gay, i got shot in another country for defending Americans Rights and Freedoms. But when i am told that i am not aloud to have my SON because i am gay and it will hurt him and that he needs a good christian and god fearing back ground then i draw the line. Being gay is not a choice. I could have choice to be miserable and be with a female and eat lots of meds cause my brain would have been screwed cause i knew i wanted nothing to do with a female or i be happy and live my life and pay a woman for her egg so i could have a child which is my SON... You think you have the right to take away my rights as a father. and why because your afraid i will do something to sway my child to be homosexual... Well guess what he is not gay his has a girl friend who is with child and he is only 16. I flipped out on him.. But it seems him having sex with female is my fault. The fault is i should have been there to teach him about condoms. but he is straight and has never been late for school and has only been whipped once for being a bully as school. grounded once for lieing and never have i taken anything from him. but you say your Americans and take away my right to be his father and he is MY BLOOD. you all can GO TO HELL. I will pray every day for another 9-11 on this country and i pray everyday that heterosexual families lose there children to war. see i can not make you see what your gripping and complaining about gay people wanting full equal rights is all about but when i have my baby taken from me and i was there every day for him when he got a bump or scrap or bad grade or when he missed the goal form kicking the score ball too hard, being there for when he called me dada for the first time watching him walk the first time. Now you take that away then i as a gay man have that right to hunt down anyone that hurts my family. This country is had a thing called separation between church and state. why is not still the church running this country. and why are closed minded people so willing to jump the again. Again i am gay and i agree marriage should be between a man and a woman where as a civil union is only between lgbt peoples. But when you as a whole infringe on my right to be a father and right after that within days i have my son removed form my home cause it is wrong for a single gay man to be a father to a child then i will fight. Have a good day may all straight people feel the LGBT peoples pain.

[Anon]

I am a 23 yr old female and grew up with a mother and a father. When I was in 3rd grade my father underwent transgender surgery to become a female, her true self. Other than going through a nasty divorce, I was raised with love and now have a very normal husband and son. I feel sickened that LGBT people are being persecuted for being true to themselves and I am living proof that all that matters is LOVE--not gender or sexual orientation. I saw firsthand the discrimination my father went through, and no one should have to go through that. First women, than blacks, now gays. In 20 years we will be looking back on this like we look back to the 1960s civil rights movement. I am sad we're not ready yet to accept.

[Seth]

I've been doing research on gay parents lately, and the facts are pretty straightforward: it's a lie that children need a mother and a father. Single moms have been raising healthy children for decades. Step-parents. Grandparents. Foster homes. Same-sex parents are no different- they are every bit as good as heterosexual parents. And for children without homes, any parents who are loving and responsible are better than no parents.

So for those of you claiming that you have completely rational objections to gay parents, try looking up the statement by the American Psychological Association on the subject, or the American Academy of Pediatrics, or the American Medical Association.

[KEMY EFFIONG]

Everybody should be gien equal right. Both men and womem are the same.Please I want you to cife for me specific cases where women have been to look at themselves as second class citizens.Thanks.