ON PROP. 8

I voted against Prop. 8. This is still America and I believe that all men and women ARE created equal. That gay men and lesbians are every bit the American citizen that straight men and women are and, therefore, should be afforded every right that straights are afforded. Including the right to marry whom they choose. Thus marry whom they love. Having said that.......

I have some issues with the gay community right now. I realize that it may be through a lack of understanding that I have these issues. Hence the problem that California is encountering right now regarding Prop. 8. Rather than screaming and shouting and having what amounts to a public tantrum, I think the gay community would be better served by seeking what they want through peaceful means. By trying to understand the hearts of the people that voted FOR Prop. 8. By exercising even more patience (I know, I know) while they further pursue, in a court of law, their inalienable rights while at the same time educating those that voted against them. Pissing all those people off even further serves no one. But teaching everyone that anyone can have their own personal beliefs and follow their own religious values and still allow all others to follow theirs would serve everyone. We all, regardless of our beliefs, can find a way to share the same spaces. Boycotting and/or firing people from their jobs because of their beliefs, whichever side of the fence you reside, is wrong. Spray painting graffiti as an expression of any view is also wrong. I have heard many gays and lesbians on television putting partial blame on the black and Latino communities for voting for Prop. 8 in such large numbers. For voting THEIR beliefs. As a result, some gays have been comparing their lack of civil rights to the black fight for equality. And that, in itself, is a huge and somewhat sanctimonious stretch. Enough said about that. I would be mad as hell, though, if I were gay and managed to finally gain the right to marry, only to have it yanked out from under me. I get that. But it was yanked because of a lack of understanding. Period. The gay community, for the most part, admits that they were out-organized, out-funded and that they made the big mistake of assuming that, in California, their marriage rights would be upheld by the majority. They, point blank, bottom line, didn't do their homework. Right now THEY need to understand that they need to do it all again and do it right this time. Educate straight people, especially those that hold a strong religious belief against homosexuality. Raise enough cash to do it. Part of the problem is that gays are still isolating themselves as a result of past oppression. They have their own neighborhoods, nightclubs, restaurants and most other places of business. I say the faster we all mix it up, the better off we will all be. Gays AND straights, I know its a little scary, but not as scary as it used to be. Mix it up and the sooner the better. Gays and lesbians, get out there in the straight community and show them that you are no different and that your dreams are valued dreams. Invite the straight community into your community and show them that your lifestyle is not at all different from theirs. In other words, show us who you are, who you have been all along. Take the time and money and understanding it takes to do THAT and I think you will find that you don't really have a problem at all.