Two historically persecuted minorities decided yesterday to not transcend their own personal bigotries and instead eliminate the rights of another persecuted minority.
Gay Americans, who have been historically beaten, killed, denied family and legal protection in the past had a hard-fought for right of equal treatment under the law eliminated yesterday.
Mormon Americans, who have had their church legally disbanded, were killed, beaten and hounded across a continent because of their 'peculiar' beliefs, including plural marriage, spent millions of dollars and sent out tens of thousands of volunteers to pass a constitutional amendment to eliminate our rights. An overwhelming number of Mormons could not look past their personal bigotries and show empathy to another group.
African-Americans, who were enslaved, denied the right to vote, lynched and hounded, and discriminated against, voted in overwhelming numbers, 2 to 1, to eliminate the rights of of another minority. Every other ethnic and racial group, Asians, Hispanics, Indians, Whites, etc. voted by a majority to oppose the discrimination. Sadly, one of th most amazing days in presidential history, the election of the first African-American president, many African-Americans could not look past their personal bigotries to show empathy to another group.
And so, my rights, our rights were eliminated in the state constitution due in a huge part to large numbers of these two minorities.
Shame.
My heart hurt hearing the news, my anger welled. But today we continue the fight. I have lived through beatings, hatred, aversion therapy, excommunication and the denial of my rights. This is just one, albeit a painful one, setback. We've been married 4 times, if it takes 100 times, we will push on until we too are granted the equal protection under the law, all of us, we should be guaranteed.
And I will remember the MILLIONS of people who love and support us. The 90 year old woman who came up to me yesterday and wished us luck saying we deserved marriage and she was with us. The new citizen, an immigrant from China, who stopped his jog to tell me that he supported what I was doing because, in his heavily accented words, "It's about freedom."
And all our amazing friends and family, many of who are Mormon and African-American, who gave so generously and worked so hard, how have given us great and amazing love and support. Thank you!
These memories will keep us working hard. For one day, sooner than later, we WILL be fully equal under the law.
Until that day... I need to go get our daughter ready for school.
Thank you everyone.
Comments (10)
Trey,
I am so sorry. I can't imagine how it feels. I'm heartbroken and I'm not even directly affected. Remember that you do have supporters out here.
Comment #173164 on November 5, 2008 9:02 AM |
Trey,
I am so sorry. I can't imagine how it feels. I'm heartbroken and I'm not even directly affected. Remember that you do have supporters out here.
Comment #173165 on November 5, 2008 9:02 AM |
I am so, so sorry. I don't know you, I'm in a traditional marriage and I don't even live in California but I just don't get the animosity and bigotry. On a day of such great news this one still makes me very very sad. Our best to your family.
Betsy
Comment #173172 on November 5, 2008 10:55 AM |
How heartbreaking! I pray that your family will be protected into the future. Thank you for working so hard for justice.
Comment #173173 on November 5, 2008 10:55 AM |
I'm so sad and in some way angry at myself for not doing more. The signs around here were so clear and precise (those stupid big "Yes" on yellow background) and the "no" ones were convoluted and hard to see and I kept thinking I should come up with my own and start spreading them....I know, I know...signs alone don't stop fear and discrimination but I believe that visual tools are important. Anyway...the fight is still on and although it may not be represented in paper it is in the hearts that have changed through this experience (I can think of two family members that have had a change of heart and seen how unfair it was) and the small steps we as individuals take (like not supporting gay bashing speach/jokes, teaching our kids tolerance and acceptance through actions, etc.)...hugs.
Comment #173175 on November 5, 2008 11:56 AM |
It's a sad commentary of just how far we've gone in one area and how far we still have to go in another.
Comment #173179 on November 5, 2008 12:55 PM |
I am ashamed of California.
Son Tim and his partner Juan were married a little over an hour ago. Two County Clerks told them they were continuing to issue licenses and record them until instructed in writing otherwise.
I was crying, of course.
Please join me in celebrating a little joy amidst the wreckage of civil rights in this state.
IT IS NOT OVER!!
Comment #173188 on November 5, 2008 2:49 PM |
It broke my heart when I heard the news. I wrote an e-mail to the yes on 8 campaign and told them that religious beliefs belong in their church, not the ballot. Allowing gay people to marry doesn't step on anyone's rights, but not allowing them to certainly does.
The fight goes on.
Comment #173201 on November 5, 2008 7:03 PM |
I keep wanting to slag off California, too, but I have to remember that a LOT of Californians voted against. Just not enough.
I just wanted to express my sorrow and sympathy. I hate that it passed. I think you have a lovely family. I hope time brings lovely laws to match.
Comment #173230 on November 6, 2008 4:40 AM |
Trey,
We're so sorry about this. Feeling strangely elated and angry at the same time.
Has there been any more word about the uncounted early and absentee ballots?
Comment #173258 on November 6, 2008 9:21 AM |