It's not a lot

But it's a start. Wisconsin, a state with a same-sex marriage amendment, has decided to award certain domestic partnership benefits. However, only 43 of the about 200 rights will be available to same-sex couples.

An Unlikely Ally

Dick Cheney? Former VP with a homosexual daughter Dick Cheney?

"I think, you know, freedom means freedom for everyone," Cheney said in a speech at the National Press Club. "I think people ought to be free to enter into any kind of union they wish, any kind of arrangement they wish."

Cheney, who has a gay daughter, said marriage has always been a state issue.

"And I think that's the way it ought to be handled today, that is, on a state-by-state basis. Different states will make different decisions. But I don't have any problem with that. I think people ought to get a shot at that," he said.

It's not a whole lot, but it's certainly overdue. If I were him, I would've spoken up on the issue a lot sooner. Then again, if I were him, I would publicly support my daughter no matter what her choices were. Good for him.

Stupid California

The State Supreme Court voted to uphold Prop 8 today. 

GRRRRR

At least they are allowing those who got married when same-sex marriage was legal to stay officially married.

Oh Tommy Boy

Tom Hanks, you are never too far from my heart:

“The truth is this takes place in Utah, the truth is these people are some bizarre offshoot of the Mormon Church, and the truth is a lot of Mormons gave a lot of money to the church to make Prop-8 happen,” he told Tarts. “There are a lot of people who feel that is un-American, and I am one of them. I do not like to see any discrimination codified on any piece of paper, any of the 50 states in America, but here's what happens now. A little bit of light can be shed, and people can see who's responsible, and that can motivate the next go around of our self correcting Constitution, and hopefully we can move forward instead of backwards. So let's have faith in not only the American, but Californian, constitutional process.”

Bill McKeever, a rep for the Mormonism Research Ministry, added, "Personally, I find it un-American to tell people that they shouldn’t vote their conscience. Hanks said he doesn’t 'like to see any discrimination codified on any piece of paper.' Considering that just about every law discriminates in some form or another, makes this comment ridiculous. Hanks’ comment shows that he very much believes in discriminating against people with whom he disagrees. I may not agree with Mormon theology, but I certainly defend their right to express their opinion."

I agree with both points. However, I agree with Tom Hanks more. I've said it once and I'll say it again, I don't think that churches should be involved in politics to that extent. Technically, they could tax exempt status for doing so.

If America is really the land of the free and the home of the brave, then why do we not allow everyone to have the same rights without fighting even harder than the last minority group?

Ever Heard of "Quit While You're Ahead?"

Apparently these people haven't. Squashing a group's constitutional right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness wasn't enough, clearly. No, now they want to revoke/nullify the thousands of homosexual marriages that took place while it was LEGAL.

This guy has a point:

"Proposition 8 must be invalidated because the amendment process cannot be used to extinguish fundamental constitutional rights without compelling justification," Brown said in a written statement.

According to the Ninth Amendment, "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people." In non-psycho babble, that means any fundamental rights that are not directly listed in the Constitution are protected as well. Sexual orientation? Not in there originally. And, hey, aren't we all protected from discrimination based on our gender, race, ethnicity, age, and um... sexual orientation?!

I am so tired of all the high school drama BS. Every single group is discriminated against by somebody. It's getting to be too much to handle. I wish everyone could just be tolerant of other people's lifestyles. Seriously, I'm not saying that you should be homosexual by saying that you should support gay marriage - I'm simply saying that we need to all band together in order to get rid of the injustices in our own country. No matter what it takes, this country needs to recognize the basic right of two human beings in love to join together in a partnership that is recognized no matter where the couple goes.

Basically, here's a video I found showing how damn ridiculous this whole thing is. Enjoy.

Protect Marriage, Protect Children, Prohibit Divorce - watch more funny videos

Here's another great video of Jon Stewart discussing gay marriage with Mike Huckabee. Oh Huckabee, how misguided you are.

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Mike Huckabee Pt. 2

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

Really? We've redefined terms like "man" and "human being" but we can't redefine marriage? That, my friends, is a ridiculous notion.

"Religion is far more of a choice than homosexuality." So true. A person doesn't wake up in the morning and decide to be gay for a day/week/30 days/a few years. It's something that we're born with, something that makes up who we really are. Until we all embrace our sexuality - whether that means marrying another girl or being perfectly fine with expressing your sexual nature like someone who truly loves their bodies and sexual lives - no one is going to be happy.

I hope that people can learn to see past their own bigotry and fears in order to embrace people of all backgrounds and lifestyles someday. I am determined to help fight the good fight, to be a soldier in the army of love. Even if this problem isn't solved in my lifetime (which it better be), I am dedicated to the cause. I hope that you'll join me.

More On Proposition 8

I'm still pissed that it passed.

Religion shouldn't be involved in politics at all. If we are truly a nation with separation of church and state, then gay marriage shouldn't be an issue. Theron says that marriage shouldn't be a word or concept that is allowed in the Constitution, and after giving it some thought, I'm still on the fence. Even if it isn't a religious wedding, we all say that we're "getting married," not a civil union. While marriage really was a religious idea, I think that it's changed to mean a joining of two lives, a partnership between two faithful, loyal, and loving people. If we say that marriage shouldn't be in the Constitution, then we need to call all "marriages" civil unions. If people want to call it marriage, more power to them. Maybe then people won't be so upset with gay people getting the right to marry whomever they want.

This story on CNN really frustrated me. This issue is a big one in my family, because my parents are Mormon and I am not. In fact, my whole extended family is Mormon. I know that my mom is upset with the protests around Mormon areas that the church's support for Prop 8 has brought, even if she hasn't said anything to me. However, I think that the church should've been prepared for it, not to mention that churches should NOT be getting involved in political matters in the first place.

Anyway, here are some parts of the story that really struck me:

"It is disturbing that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is being singled out for speaking up as part of its democratic right in a free election," the church said in a statement Friday.

On Thursday, Roman Catholic and Mormon leaders said their efforts did not target any specific group.

The coalition of religious communities and citizens who supported Proposition 8 wanted to preserve "the bedrock institution of marriage" between a man and a woman, said Cardinal Roger Mahoney, the Catholic archbishop of Los Angeles.

"Proposition 8 is not against any group in our society," Mahoney said in a written statement.

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The American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal and the National Center for Lesbian Rights have filed a lawsuit contending the ballot initiative was "improperly used."

According to the three groups, "such radical changes" as outlawing gay marriage cannot be made by ballot initiative, but must, "at a minimum, go through the state legislature first." The groups also argue the measure takes away a "fundamental right" from lesbian and gay Californians.

The three organizations filed the legal challenges on behalf of Equality California and six same-sex couples who did not marry before Tuesday's election, but would like to be able to wed now.

The three groups contend that California must honor the marriages of the 18,000 lesbian and gay couples who have already married.

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First off, if I'm not mistaken, isn't there some rule that says churches aren't supposed to get involved in politics or endorse certain people? Wouldn't that apply to issues too? They shouldn't really even talk about abortion, let alone gay marriages. Anyway, I love how the churches say that this isn't a measure attacking any group of "our" society. I know they probably meant that their intention is not to attack anyone, but that's exactly what they're doing.

Using the Bible to back up the argument against gay marriage is just like people using it to justify slavery or polygamy. Religious people need to understand that the Bible is NOT to be taken literally anymore. If being gay is such a crime, then why haven't gay people been wiped off the earth Old Testament style? Oh wait, that's what people think AIDS is all about right?

I'm tired of the old mindset. This is the twenty-first century and times are changing. If you don't want to be a part of the change, then move somewhere else. This is America - land of the FREE and home of the BRAVE - and here we accept each person as s/he is and we give them certain inalienable rights. You can have your ideas, your preferences, but you do not have the right to limit how other people can do things. If what Ellen is doing is actually causing YOU harm, then you have a right to mad. Otherwise, shut up because no one is going to make you marry a gay person.

Really? I - I - Really?

So I recently read this story, which just put into words what CNN and other news organizations were saying:

Seven in 10 African Americans who went to the polls voted yes on Proposition 8, the ballot measure overruling a state Supreme Court judgment that legalized same-sex marriage and brought 18,000 gay and lesbian couples to Golden State courthouses in the past six months.

"I think it's mainly because of the way we were brought up in the church; we don't agree with it," said Jasmine Jones, 25, who is black. "I'm not really the type that I wanted to stop people's rights. But I still have my beliefs, and if I can vote my beliefs that's what I'm going to do.

"God doesn't approve it, so I don't approve it. And I approve of Him."

The overwhelming rejection of same-sex marriage by black voters was surprising and disappointing to gay rights advocates who had hoped that African Americans would empathize with their struggle.

Pablo Correa said his mind was made up by a TV spot in which a young girl comes home from school and tells her mother she learned how a prince could marry a prince.

Really? I can kinda understand the church argument, but really?

I thought that black people, especially those who had lived through (or relived through stories) the era of interracial marriage banning AND the era where blacks couldn't officially get married at all, would support the homosexuals. Am I really just too far out there? Does religion override their ability to help people in a similar situation?

I am really sad that this ban passed. Eventually, gay marriage will be allowed (most) everywhere, but I really felt like now was the time. If we're so ready for change and equality, why can't we grant it to the group that is the most discriminated against?

This argument that children will have to learn about princes marrying princes is bullshit. Kids aren't taught about marriage of ANY kind in school until they're old enough to understand (aka middle school at the very earliest). Even then, this information is NOT shoved down their throats.

This election, with the exception of Obama being put in the White House, was a failure on many fronts. Not only did Proposition 8 pass, so did a ban on unmarried adoptions and foster care in Arkansas - which was directly aimed at gay couples.

That's right, because every gay child is the result of a gay parent...

All this discrimination is just freaking ridiculous. Since people seem to NOT understand the basis of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, I'm rewriting both.

Politics Anyone?

I'm sorry, but Jesse Jackson should learn to keep his mouth shut. Honestly, if you're a self-proclaimed spokesperson for a whole race, you'd think that you'd watch your mouth a little better. I definitely would. He made a very rude comment about Barack Obama during an interview the other day after the camera had cut away and he "didn't know the mic was still on." He whispered to the person sitting next to him that Barack has been talkin' down to the black people and that he wants to just "cut his nuts off."

I'm sorry, but um, is that diplomatic? Is that going to help you out in any way possible, even if it's not aired? Is it going to win you the respect of the person sitting next to you? I think not. Moreover, even if the mic wasn't still on, there's still the camera mic which would've picked up that comment I'm sure.

Now he's apologized for his comment, citing that he is not jealous of Obama as some analysts would claim. However, he has also said that it's a part of his anger over Obama's comments that black men need to step up and be there for their children. I agree that Obama's comment there wasn't really one that I would've made on my run to the White House, but maybe if we took the race part out of it? I think fathers of all colors, nationalities, and socioeconomic backgrounds need to be there for their kids, need to man up and assume the responsibilities of being a father instead of just enjoying the niceties of making the babies.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Ah, and on the other side of the fence, we have McCain dodging a question asked by one of his own campaign members:

"Let me give you a real, live example, which I've been hearing a lot about from women. There are many health insurance plans that will cover Viagra but won't cover birth control medication. Those women would like a choice," she said Monday.

"I certainly do not want to discuss that issue," the Arizona senator said aboard his "Straight Talk Express" bus in Ohio, according to the Associated Press.

After praising President Bush’s efforts to expand faith-based programs, McCain pivoted: “I also think that we should do everything that we can, and one of those in my view is respect for human life both born and the unborn.”

So women aren't allowed to take birth control but men can get hard even when they're 85 and their heart is in no condition for sexual activities? That just simply makes no sense. I can understand not wanting to lose the conservative vote, but you gotta try to get the feminist vote a bit if you expect to 'reach across the aisle.'

In essence, I will always make less than my husband, my insurance will be less (thank goodness), I will be expected to work hard on my education and career AND do house chores and raise the children seemingly single-handedly, but I might not be able to get birth control on my insurance because the conservative party thinks I'll be killing babies?! Maybe the human life quote was a bad move. If the egg doesn't get fertilized or doesn't attach to the wall, I'm not killing babies by taking birth control because then I'll just have a normal period.

If someone is making a choice that does not affect you but only themselves, then why protest that choice? So if I'm in an abusive relationship and I don't feel like I can get out, but I then get pregnant, I can't get an abortion and protect my unborn baby from the hellish life they'd live getting abused? Or if I'm raped and get pregnant, I can't get an abortion? Or if the baby is a product of incest? That's always a stickler in the states that require parental consent for children under 18 to get an abortion.

And homosexual people can't marry the ones they love in most every state because it bugs other people? I love how people cite the Bible for that, when it also says that slavery is good, as are polygamy and other cruel and gross things. I don't get why it really bugs anyone. It's not like people are forcing each other to be gay and get married, and it's not like it's bugging anyone at all. Britney Spears can get married in Vegas for mere hours or people can get married minutes after meeting, but people who actually love each other and want to be together for the rest of their lives can't get married because it gives other people the creeps. I'm sorry, but that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.

I really hope that soon people can open their eyes and think about the harm that they're doing to other people by being so prejudiced. Maybe then the world can be a better place.