Two Steps Forward...

[stevekenson]

... but one step back.

Mixed emotions about the election results from last night. On the one hand, I’m elated that Barack Obama is President-elect, and feel a renewed sense of hope about the future of our nation. When I first decided to support Obama back in the primaries, it seemed like a long-shot, and he has run a great campaign against difficult odds. For the first time in a long time, I’m proud of our political leadership.

On the other hand, my jubliation and relief are tempered by the fact that various anti-gay initiatives passed last night: bans on same-sex marriage in California, Florida, and Arizona, and a ban on same-sex adoption in Arkansas. The very idea of writing discrimination into a document meant to define and protect liberty chills me to the bone, and I’m really at a loss for how to respond to such hatred, for hatred it is to deny people their rights for no other reason than discomfort with the idea of treating them as full human beings.

We’ve come a long way over the course of this political campaign, America, but we’ve got a long way yet to go.

Comments

[phenixhawk.livejournal.com]

i couldnt agree with you more...it sickened me to hear about Ca and AZ. It makes me wonder sometime if it is really 2008 or 1908

[amanofhats.livejournal.com]

During McCain's concession speech, when he spoke about folks being excluded from basic liberties, my first thought was, "Oh, you mean like gays and lesbians?"

[whisper-jeff.livejournal.com]

It infuriates me. I've written enough about it already but, suffice it to say, it's fucking disgusting. You deserve to be treated the same. That that seems so difficult for some people simply boggles my mind.

[hackard.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, for you and Christopher and for all the other couples out there. My only advice would be something you've already taken: just because those couples can't legally marry doesn't mean they aren't morally married. Gay and lesbian couples should call each other husbands and wives and talk about their marriages as faits accompli every time it would be appropriate for straight couples to do so. Don't make a big production of it, but don't shy away from it, either. Force straights either to accept your self-description or reveal their bigotry, and keep challenging them until they ask themselves why it was ever an issue for them.

[mswafford.livejournal.com]

We, as a people, have made huge strides in acceptance. Last night was a great example of just that. There are still hurdles in our path but keep plodding away Steve. One day you and Chris might be able to make that commitment to each other that everyone should be able to make.

[whswhs.livejournal.com]

My state has made me ashamed. It's a disturbing feeling. I take a tiny bit of comfort in seeing the trend—61% against same-sex marriage a few years ago, only 52% now—but I had hoped we had changed more than that.

[coyote6.livejournal.com]

What whswhs said. :(

[wyldelf.livejournal.com]

It's an interesting picture, how far we come in terms of race, but how much bigotry still exists.

For me it shows how disgusting our proposition system has become. In California, we need a 2/3's majority to raise taxes through propositions and measures. In Santa Clara county, Measure B would have connected Bart to the south bay, linking millions more into the Bart system, making it easier to get to San Francisco, Oakland, etc. It got 66.3% of the vote - failing. Prop 8, which takes away the right of millions of Californians by amending our constitution got 52%, and passed.

This may sound wrong to some ears, but I'm not shocked when I see those kinds of decisions in many states (especially Florida and Arkansas). But that Californians support this kind of bigotry disgusts me, and that our political process allows the simple majority to steal away the rights of others so easily is frigthening.

[capricorn01984.livejournal.com]

Steve,

Thank you for making this post. Eric and I share similar sentiments. We are absolutely devastated that FL Amendment 2 passed. This means no domestic partnership or benefits for us, even at our University which offered them before many. Now they aren't allowed to give us the benefits they want to.

We are beside ourselves on this. It has created a cloudy overcast over what would otherwise be a shiny day in Obamanation.

[eytan-bernstein.livejournal.com]

I actually think the FL and AZ laws could be more damaging than the California law. A lot of people who already receive benefits will probably lose them.

[capricorn01984.livejournal.com]

That is indeed the case down here.

[jcstarbrand.livejournal.com]

Um, thousands of gay couples are already married in CA and will probably lose that.

[eytan-bernstein.livejournal.com]

According to some of the higher ups in California, it looks like people who were already married will not lose it.

[jcstarbrand.livejournal.com]

There's no guarantee of that so far, and it's small comfort anyway, except maybe to those already married, and then only if they're self-centered enough.

Helluva thing to mar my 20th anniversary. More on me waxing furious on this point at http://jcstarbrand.livejournal.com/1174.html for those who are the least bit interested,
no need for me to repeat it all here.

[guyinsf.livejournal.com]

Bravo to you for your healthy reaction. So far I'm still reeling from it. I try to focus on the positives, a new era of national government, but I'm failing so far. I feel sucker punched by Prop 8. I know it's only a matter of time, but... C'mon California! Really? I thought we were progressive. [deep sigh]

[mechanteanemone.livejournal.com]

I'm really saddened that not all my friends can celebrate with equal joy, but I'm certain we'll get there eventually. We have to keep working for what's right.

It's just so disappointing to see this in California, though. (I'm somewhat consoled to see that our county, the No carried 60% to 40%. But there wasn't enough of us to make the crucial difference.

[winterhawk.livejournal.com]

I honestly thought Prop 8 was going to go down in flames, given the political leanings of this state. Voting No on 8 was really the only reason I voted this election, and I was sorry to see that I was wrong. :(

[sintheticphylum.livejournal.com]

I'm kinda hoping that my little tiny voice can maybe start setting something in motion. What I would just LOVE to see is for EVERYBODY who has been hurt by these homophobic laws to gather together (in my case, in Sacramento), set up camp on their respective Governor's doorstep, and just wait. That's it. Wait. Or demand their rights as free people in the nation where ALL are supposed to be created equal, yet so often are shown just how unequal things truly are.

[protonboy.livejournal.com]

The spread on who voted to ban gay-marriage in california wasy 70% african american and a slight majority of latino's. *rolls eyes* hypocricy comes in all colors.

[devinswords.livejournal.com]

scares the hell out of me too......

[madmanofprague.livejournal.com]

Hey Steve,

A bunch of us over at TrekRPG.net (http://forum.trek-rpg.net/showthread.php?t=15025) are wondering whether you have plans to put up the Lost Episodes material somewhere else (the Hometown site is down now or something) and, if not, whether we could put it up on the online ICON materials site (http://www.coldnorth.com/memoryicon/index.htm). Fully accredited, of course.

Thanks.

PS Sorry to hear about Proposition Eight...

[xomec.livejournal.com]

I put up a mirror of my languishing Talon Studio site when AOL first decided hometown was going away. You can find the Lost Episodes stuff (and my other articles) on there. (http://mysite.verizon.net/stevekenson/treks/index.html)

Still, I've got no problem with also having them posted or linked-to on the ICON site, so long as they're properly credited.

[madmanofprague.livejournal.com]

Cool. Thanks!