Obama Victory Celebration Squashed By Bigotry

Obama Victory Celebration Squashed By Bigotry

Thursday, November 6, 2008

One mom's story about how her celebration was bittersweet.

Momlogic's Annie: We will all remember exactly where we were when we found out that Barack Obama had won the presidential election. Whether or not you voted for him, when he walked up on that stage in Chicago's Grant Park, the American Dream was alive and well. For the first time ever, kids can actually believe it when they're told they have the chance to be President one day. Well -- maybe. What if you are a kid who grows up to be gay? If you can't even get married or be a parent how can you be president?

I was with my 14-month-old daughter when the voting results were announced. I cannot count how many times I kissed her. I told her over and over again how lucky she is to live in a time that this is possible -- that her future looks bright, that maybe now I'll consider making her a sibling. I went to bed proud to be an American, excited to wake up to news about the world's reaction to what our great country had overcome and accomplished. I told my husband that for the first time in eight years, I don't want to move.

Then I woke up. And here in California, Proposition 8, a law that bans gay marriage had passed. In Arkansas a ban on gay adoption passed. So, essentially people outlawed love. It was like being punched in the stomach. How is this possible? How could so many smart and wonderful people be so bigoted and ignorant? Maybe they aren't so smart and wonderful.

I'm furious that because these people are being hateful, I'm now compelled to hate them. I'm furious that my celebration was cut short. When I see people on the news rejoicing about how far we've come, I'm flabbergasted. There is a whole group of people whose CIVIL RIGHTS are being taken away! I get it -- one step at a time -- but still there is something tragic going on and it's called bigotry and no one is saying it out loud.

I do understand that for many people this is their religious issue -- I think it's absurd, but I'm trying. Isn't there slavery in the Bible too? Or is that just how I'm interpreting it. "Interpretation" -- what a concept. And besides, isn't it stated in our Constitution that we practice a separation of church and state?

I have faith that people will wake up. I am hoping for my daughter's sake and for all of our children's sake that we will have cause to celebrate again soon WITHOUT being interrupted.

57 comments so far | Post a comment now >>

YES- Charli, I agree, it means thinking outside what your religion has taught you. Heres why I think thats not easy for people to do. Because marriage carries the idea of divine sanctification…the approval of God. If you ask religious people - do they think God approves of homosexuality - and they answer “no”.. then for them to take upon themselves the mantle of condoning divine sanctification on something they think God doesnt approve of would be a promethian kind of thing that many people arent ready to do. A basic tenet of religious life is humility before God. To get past this, thinking outside the box challenges people to separate their creator from the dogma they learned. That is a process that can take a lifetime. In this case, you really cant say that people are stuck because of hate. Perhaps its ignorance. Thats why many religious people make a distinction between being ok with civil unions, and being accepting or supportive of homosexuality, but stop short of giving in on the issue of marriage.

- Unconvinced

Posted 11/09/08 11:19 AM

As I read some of these posts (KATE) that are written out of ignorance, fear, judgement and religious brainwashing I think to myself how happy I am to be on the Right Side of History when it comes to Prop 8 and voting NO. How many Americans look back at our Civil Rights Era with regret and wish they had done more or wonder why they were so afraid of equality for all races? How many German citizens hung their heads with shame at what Hitler had done because of their fear or apathy? History is full of the apathetic or fearful judgmental hate spreaders who want to impose their views and opinions on others and suppress others rights. How ashamed most have been when they looked back. I feel proud to have voted NO ON PROP H8te! Our Constitution does not say marriage is between a man & woman, only whites to white’s or blacks to blacks… Our founding father’s intent was clear…seperation of Church & State. It is amazing our states & country are divided on the issue of actually writing discrimination into our Constitution. As for homosexuals wanting to marry just for tax breaks…the ignorance in that statement is mind blowing!! Homosexuals are born that way the same way I was born heterosexual. Sexual preference is NOT something you can teach to kids…or their would be no homosexuals….that someone would “CHOOSE” a lifestyle, as some think, that is discriminated and ridiculed is absurd.

- EH

Posted 11/09/08 07:59 PM

Church & state comes from a letter that T Jefferson wrote not the Federalist Papers.Gays & Lesbians can do everything that straights can do.Get married if you want just keep it QT.And IF YOUR WORLD WAS RUINED BY SOMEONE WHO DIDN’T AGREE WITH YOU.GET OVER YOURSELF!!!!!

- geezer

Posted 11/09/08 09:40 PM

Does anyone have any common sense? A man and a woman, no matter what their race, can have sexual intercourse and create a child. A man and a man can not have a child together through sexual intercourse. A woman and a woman can not have a child together through sexual intercourse as a woman and a man can. So what is so confusing?????

- Melanie

Posted 11/09/08 09:55 PM

Pssht. Aside from being completely outraged and disgusted by Prop 8, I just think that if gay marriage is going to be banned, then so should shellfish! That’s in the bible as a sin, right? And yet no one complains over all the lobsters, crabs, shrimp, and crawfish being eaten in this country. I propose a ban on shellfish. It’s SO sinful, after all. Just get real. You can’t pick and chose what parts of a religion you follow. It’s just ridiculous.

- Emily

Posted 11/10/08 12:10 AM

I disagree with your stance on gay marriage,especially since you are a mother.Marriage is a union that is a gift from God to married couples as a way of procreation which therefore populates the world.2 people of the same sex cannot reproduce. I am also thrilled that my children live in a time that a black man is elected President.He deserved it and I know that he is going to turn our country around.He is such an eloquent speaker that I could listen to him for hours.Michelle Obama and those beautiful little girls are going to make the White House a real home. I wouldn’t want my children to come home and tell me they are homesexual and want to marry the same sex.However,should they choose a partner that is black,that is natural.

- Lisa

Posted 11/10/08 01:41 AM

I’m black…actually I’m a proud half-black, half-white woman married to a white man. I have a gay brother and sister and we were raised good Christians. We were also raised to love and respect EVERYONE. And we do. My whole family is for gay rights. You should here my husband when he gets going! We were raised to believe in LOVE. Everyone’s GOD GIVEN right to love who they want.

- Alexa

Posted 11/10/08 07:28 AM

Alison, how wrong you are. Our forefathers most certainly DID NOT leave a place for God or religion in the framework of our nation. Don’t believe me? Go to this website for quotes from our forefathers, http://freethought.mbdojo.com/foundingfathers.html#Jefferson, the signers of the Declaration of Independance, some were among the first Presidents of the United States. You’re attempt to embrace bigotry and hatred by wrapping yourself in the US flag is misguided at best. At worst it is downright dangerous. I can only hope that as we go forward into this new administration, we will see equality and justice for ALL Americans. Gays no more marry for tax write-offs than most hetero couples do, and their unions tend to last longer than ours as well. Free your mind, Alison, don’t let bigotry and hatred color your ability to see reason. And there is nothing reasonable about Prop. 8, nor is there about Amendment 2 here in Florida.

- Lori

Posted 11/10/08 03:31 PM

Fine, then, Lisa. Since you would have it that way, I agree with the person who said that couples who are infertile should not be allowed to marry either. Since according to you and others, marriage is solely for the purpose of procreation, if you can’t procreate due to infertility, you can’t get married. Sound ridiculous? Now you know how a lot of people feel about you.

- Lori

Posted 11/10/08 04:16 PM

Let’s remember that Proposition 8 wasn’t about keeping gays from loving eachother; it was about the definition of the word “marriage”. People voted to define the word “marriage” as a union between a man and a woman. People didn’t vote that being homosexual union is wrong…just different. Gay people wanting to get “married” is like a Caucasion boy wanting to be called African-American…based on the definition of the word, he isn’t. And one isn’t better than the other, just different. Now please, understand I’m not saying gay people are “different”, just saying the definition of the word “marriage” doesn’t apply. Marriage is not your right if it doesn’t apply to you, which is all that the majority voted to be the case. The solution would be to create a civil union with adjusted benefits similar to those of marriage. And if homosexuals still have a problem with that, then it tends to make one think that they really are just after the benefits associated with marriage. Also, we need to make sure we are not jumping to ignorant conclusions. A lot of criticism and protest has been directed at the Mormon church. They have a right to believe what they believe, and support what they support. The church didn’t vote and pass the proposition: People voted. The church just spent a lot of money for advertising and ‘propoganda’…sounds similar to the strategy employed by Obama’s campaign. Yes, Obama was the better candidate, but that doesn’t mean that he didn’t spend to prove it (i.e.-half an hour prime-time commercial). And as much as some might like to say that thinking homosexuality is wrong is hateful, how so? Some people think drinking is wrong. Some people think smoking is wrong. Some people think hunting and eating animals is wrong. Do they hate those that do those things? I would argue that some extremists might, but on the whole, no. You can disagree with someone’s choices and think they shouldn’t do the things that they do without hate and bigotry. So don’t be disheartened at being an American because the majority disagreed with your opinion. Unless everyone agrees about everything, not everyone will be happy. And assuming that your position is right and telling others they’re wrong seems pretty hateful and bigoted to me.

- Ben

Posted 11/10/08 04:46 PM

Lori, your statement claiming that the founding of our country was “Godless” can only be partially true at best. Starting all the way back with the original English settlers (you know, Mayflower, Plymouth Rock, Pilgrims), they came to America for religious freedom. While our country was not yet founded for over 100 years, it proves the religious leanings of the original European settlers. Now regarding our founding Fathers, they either had some base acknowledgement of God, or they operated their office in the proper way. By adopting our national anthem (if you don’t realize there’s more than one verse, look them up…pretty interesting) and placing “In God We Trust” on our money and in our pledge, they either believed it themselves or upheld the beliefs of the people they represented. What other options are there? They just made things up as they went? I’m not saying they were all “Christian”, but I am saying there were definite Christian moral leanings. Yes, “separation of church and state” exists, but that also means that neither you nor the government can dictate what they believe, as long as it does not pose a danger to this country’s citizens.

- Anonymous

Posted 11/10/08 05:34 PM

I can’t understand how the idea of “only a man and woman can procreate” is even brought into this. There are many men and women who can NOT procreate. Should we take away their right to marry? You religious nuts spout how it is the sanctity of marriage, well, how about all of those ‘good Christians’ who have children from different relationships, are going on marriage number 2, 3, 4, or 6?!? How about those ‘good Christians’ you see on TV, in your neighborhoods, in your churches who cheat on their spouses? Why would Christian churches have so many programs for couples going through the misery of adultry? If you want to spout off about the SANCTITY of MARRIAGE, I’ll take you more seriously when you start practicing it! This isn’t about the sanctity of marriage or about ‘adam and steve’ and it is CERTAINLY not about the children, this is a matter of trying to pigeon hole a group of people for religious advancement. You know, not to long ago the mormon church didn’t allow Black people to join the church, be married in the church, etc. My husband and I are interracial and we were married in Texas. We were told it wasn’t too long ago he would have turned us away for being interracial so we should feel ‘lucky’. Lucky? Because the person I love and chose to MARRY had a darker skin color than me? That half his family had dark skin? Are gay people to be denied this right because a small group of religious power feel it is unnatural? Should gay people feel lucky they aren’t being arrested for being gay, just being turned away from the human right to love someone and commit to that person in a union of marriage? They ARE being prohibited to love someone openly and freely by committing to the person before God. Leave YOUR God in your bedroom and let them have theirs. I bet you were the same people who thought the rights of POULTRY were more important than the rights of a human being. Good luck with that God thing. I’m sure he’ll embrace you for being a bigot.

- Are you serious?

Posted 11/10/08 10:33 PM

One other thing, I was ‘married’ by a justice of the peace, NOT in a church. I applied for a MARRIAGE certificate and on that piece of paper it clearly states-Certificate of Marriage. So how did religion play into that AT ALL? My husband comes from a Catholic background and does not see it as protecting marriage just segregating a group of people. I had an LDS(Mormon) upbringing that I rejected when I grew up and realized what hate they preach. Absolute intolerance- Yes for you Catholics out there, you Protestants, you Lutherans, you Baptists-Yes, that means YOU too. They are an intolerant people.

- Are you serious?

Posted 11/10/08 10:43 PM

For 28 years of my life I have grown up Mormon and I can’t remember a single time someone ever preached hate. Maybe I wasn’t listening that day. What exactly did you hear? Ben is exactly right. I completely agree with him. Also, on a side note……just because you don’t agree with the ideology of certain churches doesn’t give anyone the right to become hateful and bigoted against them. That makes you no different than those who you feel are being hateful and bigoted towards you. Just as you want religious institutions to be tolerant of you, the same goes for you being tolerant of the institutions. And preaching that homosexuality is a sin does not mean that they are preaching hate towards the individual. Its God’s word not man’s and only God can change it. It is the action(sex outside of marraige) that is the sin. If you really want to know how the Mormon church feels about homosexuals please go to www.lds.org and search for “God loveth his children” pamphlet. It was distributed to us(members of the church) awhile ago. And if I have read it correctly is talks about being loving and kind to those who love those of the same sex. They love that person no differently than you would love your husband/wife. Hrm, that doesn’t sound much like hate to me………..

- Queen Bee

Posted 11/11/08 08:58 AM

Just because people don’t agree with your viewpoints, doesn’t mean that they “hate”. I do not want my children accepting the gay lifestyle as one that is “normal”. I do not hate gay people nor am I teaching my children to “hate” or be afraid of gay people. If you are all about choice and diversity, then why not allow others to also choose the opposite of your held opinions?

- Anonymous

Posted 11/11/08 08:54 PM

“By adopting our national anthem (if you don’t realize there’s more than one verse, look them up…pretty interesting) and placing “In God We Trust” on our money and in our pledge, they either believed it themselves or upheld the beliefs of the people they represented. What other options are there?” This is completely ignorant. In God We Trust wasn’t put on our money until the 1950’s and the same goes true with the “under god” in the pledge. (1954 and 58 respectively, I believe) Our founding fathers simply didn’t have enough information about the world around them to assume that there wasn’t a god. They, instead, wrote this into the constitution: “Congress shall make no law RESPECTING an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the exercise therof…” This is where the seperation of church and state is written into the constitution. If you understand what that sentence means, then you get it. It has nothing to do with the reference in the Federalist Papers where it was more simply explained.

- Jim

Posted 11/19/08 05:54 PM

Ughhh, is it just me or is anyone else about gayed out? I am a little tired of the ranting and raving. Listen up folks we don’t hate you so enough of the smokescreen stuff to try and brainwash us to believing that lie. We all live in this world together and know one another and we are all different however when it comes to the country I live in and the society and morals I want my country to portray it is not of one where we honor and glorify a man with another man. The act of homosexuality is immoral and not fitting. So call us what you want, haters, bigots go throw your temper tantrums it isn’t gonna change a thing! I know we aren’t haters we just don’t support your acts, we like you but not what you do. That is 2 seperate issues. 2nd thing is enough with the right to get married crap, you have just as much right to get married as the rest of us, it just has to be “right”.

- sherrivada

Posted 05/27/09 06:38 AM

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