About Prop 8...

Those of you who read my 11/6 post know how revolutionary I believe the election of Obama is for the civil rights movement. The most white position of power in the world has gone black, and history has been... well you know. I've heard several black people on the news talk about how amazing it is to be able to say to their children: "Today, you can be anything you want to be." And this truly is amazing. But lest we forget, that on November 4, 2008, the gay community was told by mandate of the people, that they are to be society's lesser humans.

Why is it that the United States rejoiced in the glory of breaking such a monumental race barrier, yet largely ignored the passing of Proposition 8--the ballot initiative, which called for the banning of gay marriage in California? Furthermore, where was Barack Obama to promote this basic civil liberties cause? He could have reached out to those black and Hispanic communities that voted overwhelmingly for Prop 8--but he didn't. Obama should not be blamed, but he should have been there.

Not only did the most progressive state in the union vote against the rights of an entire people, but so did Florida, Arizona, and Arkansas. In fact, Arkansas banned gays from adopting! But what conclusions can be drawn from these staggering civil rights defeats? I am confident that the day will come when gay marriage is legalized once again (perhaps sooner rather than later), but it is quite clear that the nation is still overwhelmingly homophobic, and too many gays are fearful of advocating for their own cause (the No On Prop 8 campaign rarely even used the word).

What is good about Prop 8 is that it has sparked a bit of a national dialogue--not a very big one, but significant nonetheless. Protests in California are growing, and outrage amongst many prominent people in the straight community are voicing their opposition (see Keith Olbermann). The campaign against Prop 8 was poorly organized and largely ineffective in many communities (particularly black and Hispanic ones). But the proposition has also exposed another dastardly foe to civil rights: organized religion.

What organization provided the most support for Prop 8? The Mormon Church, of course. Perhaps the most discriminated religion in American history (the ironic part) has disregarded the plight of fellow human beings, and ensured the passing of this mandate of intolerance (providing nearly half of the funds). Organized religion claims they must protect the "sanctity of marriage," but we must remember that this "sanctity" once prohibited inter-racial marriage. It should be clear who is on the wrong side of this issue.

So what is the big deal about marriage exactly? Do gay people really "deserve to be miserable like the rest of us" (Bill Maher)? Well this issue really is not about "marriage" per se. It is about taking away the freedoms of people who are different. The ferocious campaign to take away given rights ought to disgust any decent person--and the hateful "Pro-8" celebrations that took place should be condemned by our society. But in the words of Kevin Sessums: "Race has always—up until this point—trumped sexual orientation as a socially accepted civil rights issue." This, I believe, will be a turning point of the LGBT rights movement--when the word "gay" entered the national conversation of civil liberties.

I heard Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (an opponent of Prop 8) say that the "people of Cali-forn-i-a have spoken"--that this is the nature of democracy, and the will of the majority. Well, is our court system not designed to protect the interests of minorities? If we operated under mob rule, how many millions would be disenfranchised? In this instance, it will be up to the courts to re-establish that majorities cannot determine the limitations of liberty upon minorities. Example: Brown v. Board of Education (the controversial ruling to desegregate schools).

But in closing, I have a question for those who believe in equality: are you a true advocate for the cause? To the minorities who have suffered throughout history, but have gained significantly in the past 50 years: do you feel no responsibility to stand with your brothers and sisters in their own quest for the Dream? Who are we to sanction freedom? Who are we to treat others as lesser beasts who must adhere to the law of religion and prejudice? I do not believe that I have been a good enough an advocate, but now is the time to endure... to pursue what is right and noble; for we must come together for the pursuit of happiness of all.

Do not be afraid. Be human.