Anti-Gay Hate Triumphs

UPDATED: One generally gay affirming retired clergy's comment on this post was that I need to be more "positive' and look at what has improved and also be more patient. My resonse to him:

*

Every day, gays – especially teens - kill themselves because of the poison put out by “Christians.” People ARE dying due to this stuff. Remember, I have lost two friends to suicide because of the “Christian” message and know many more that are emotionally scarred for life (perhaps me included). All the while too many church leaders are afraid of offending the sensibilities of bigots within their churches and congregations who apparently need to feel superior to others in order to feel good about themselves. Being patient and positive does not stop the ruined lives and suicides.

*

I should be thrilled today, but the glow of the Obama victory is severely diminished by the triumph of the Christianist/Mormon haters in the anti-gay initiatives in Arizona, Arkansas, Florida and probably in California. For me, these results underscore that for LGBT Americans those who allege themselves to be Christian remain our number one enemy. I am left feeling physically ill and demoralized. True, many Christians worked for gay rights such as the churches I have highlighted in prior posts. Too many allegedly progressive denominations, however, sat by and did nothing and allowed the forces of hate to win. Personally, I remain with the feeling that anyone Christian is an enemy of gay equality until proven otherwise. And I am sorry, but just saying that a denomination or congregation is accepting doesn't cut it. As the saying goes, talk is cheap - I want to see affirmative actions.

*

As for my country, to be honest, if I received an acceptable marriage proposal from someone living in a country with gay marriage - a marriage of convenience to give me citizenship would do - I'd be sorely tempted to leave the USA. I am tired of waiting to be a full citizen. Here are highlights from Autumn Sandeen at Pam's House Blend that looks at the wins by our enemies (note that in California farm animals rate higher than same sex couples - it doesn't get much more insulting):

*

In Arizona, the same-sex marriage ban appears to be passing. With 99% of precincts reporting, the results were 56% to 44%. This initiative is currently projected to win; this is an initiative that needed 50% plus one vote pass -- the state itself was called for Obama.

*
In Arkansas, the ban on gay and lesbian couples adopting children appears to be passing. With 96% of precincts reporting, the results were 57% to 43%. As of this moment, this initiative has been called; this was an initiative that needed 50% plus one vote pass -- the state itself was called for McCain.

*
In Florida, the same-sex marriage ban appears to be passing. With 99% of precincts reporting, the results were 62% to 38%. As of this moment, this initiative has been called; this was a constitutional amendment that needed 60% of the votes to pass -- the state itself was called for Obama.

*
And in California, we had Proposition 8. As of this moment, with 89% of precincts reporting, the constitutional amendment to the California State Constitution limiting marriage to one man and one woman is ahead 51.8% to 48.2%. The constitutional amendment hasn't yet been called -- but the amendment needs just 50% plus one vote pass -- the state itself has been called for Obama.
*

Here in my odd world of California, there is a weird comparison of initiatives between California initiatives can be made between Propositions 2 and 8. Proposition 2 is an initiative that was described in the initiative as follows: The purpose of this Act is to prohibit the cruel confinement of farm animals in a manner that does not allow them to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs.

*
So in my mind, perhaps the saddest commentary on "liberal" Californians sense of equality and fairness is to say that in my home state where, to this point, 63.3% of its voters found the mistreatment of farm animals something worthy of being legislated against, and 52.8% of voters believed eliminating the fundamental right of gays and lesbians to marry worthy of a state constitutional amendment.

*

It dampens my hopes in what a Democratic Congress and Democratic Congress will do with a fully inclusive ENDA, a Matthew Sheppard Act, and with Don't Ask, Don't Tell being repealed. The tide just doesn't seem to be flowing in the electoral direction of LGBT citizens.