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October 29, 2008
YM Blog: Tolerance Isn't Enough
On November 4, California voters will decide on proposition 8. If passed, Prop 8 would undo the California Supreme Court decision to grant same sex couples the right to equal marriage under law. The change would exist on the grounds that marriage between two people of the same sex impedes on the religious freedom of some. But since when did my rights to love someone of my choosing have anything to do with another person’s right to worship her God?
The proposed change would affectively strip people of rights guaranteed to all citizens and grant them second class status in the name of "tolerance."
To me, tolerance denotes the short space between bigotry and acceptance. Being tolerant of someone by no means amounts to treating them equally. Sadly, we tolerate young people like Sakia Gunn and Lawrence King being murdered because they were queer. We turn a blind eye of tolerance to children and adults taking their lives, rather than live openly and authentically queer.
And while I am starkly opposed to Prop 8, I’ve come to the conclusion that neither side has listened to the other. As a result, the more important issues like addressing institutional homophobia, racism and sexism get lost in the fray.
It's important to remember that this effort shouldn't just be about personal beliefs; it should be about mutual respect. And contrary to what you may have heard this isn't about the word "marriage," it's about rights. We may disagree on how those rights are distributed. But we agree that as people we are all entitled to them. We may also agree that the right to our beliefs important. Even if we refuse to allow another's beliefs restrict our rights.
Krystal Freeman is a graduate of Occidental College and a former media strategy fellow for Communities of African Descent at the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) who blogs at Blaktavist.
Voting NO for Prop 8
Posted by: Goldi_b on Oct 29, 2008 7:46 PM
I'm all for homosexual marriage we deserve to be treated like humans. We derserve to have rights including marrying to whomever we love. If GOD has a problem with then we can talk to him on judgement day. But, since the people trying to prevent us from being happy is not GOD and is not sin free they shouldn't be allowed to tell whom I can and can't spend my life with because they don't like it, who are they again? How does their feelings affect me? Exactly, I think they should live their lives and let us live ours and when they become perfect then they can dictate how I spend my life and who I spend my life with.Let me utilize the freedom i am entitled to. Vote NO on Prop 8!
Posted by: BlaqGoddess on Oct 30, 2008 7:55 AM
You are absolutely right Krys about everything you expressed. It seems to be that the issue is unfortunately focused on the marriage part of the proposition rather than the bigger issue of rights. Homophobia is clouding some judgement. Some angry people in the LGBT community are screaming only because they are angry and want to "win". Everyone shouting over one another will never get anything solved. I explain to as many people as I can the difference between voting yes or no on Prop 8 and i've found that a lot of individuals aren't even aware that a YES vote will deny me the right to marry the one I love! The ones who are against Prop 8 say to me, " I love you and I believe you should be able to get married so i'm voting yes." NOOOOOOOOOOOO! Its sad that the wording of the proposition itself seems that its meant to confuse the masses. A yes vote means you're against it, a no vote means your for it... then pile on all the ignorance, the anger, the hatred-- what are we doing here?! Nov 4th is next week! We don't have time to sort out people's personal issues, but respect is basic. Give me my rights! Don't tolerate us, RESPECT us and allow us the same rights you already have available to you in case you want to exercise them.