Election Night 2008
OK, had to say a few words. Just a brief few.
First, the presidential election. The electoral college was a landslide, the popular vote was significant, and Obama is our next president. (2.5 months to go. See my userinfo for a get-Dubya-out tracker.) Overall: VERY pleased.
Second, Arizona Proposition 102. I've seen a lot of rhetoric on both sides of the field on this one. What it boils down to: a state-based subsidiary of Focus on the Family trying to put, into the state constitution, that marriage is only between one man and one woman. This was a success for them, and a failure for gay rights. However, it doesn't say anything about civil unions. (Granted, that'll probably be the next point they try to hammer home.) Overall: MODERATELY displeased, with a hint of possible future hope still unsnuffed.
Third, California Proposition 8. This one was more worrisome, since it not only would prevent further same-sex marriages in Cali, but would also annul existing ones granted by the state. It passed, but... and this is more a personal highlight than anything... Mendocino County actually voted against it with a very respectable margin. Is it possible? Is my old home, the place I spent most of my youth/adolescent years, actually becoming more tolerant? The numbers speak for themselves, and since the population of Mendocino County is largely based in Ukiah... the numbers tell me I might actually be proud to call Ukiah my hometown finally. Overall: STRONGLY displeased, but with an air of "Ah... what? Seriously? No fucking way!"
Now, I know people (no names) who think voting and the democratic process is a waste. One of them even requested (not a strong enough word, really... more like demanded) I do not speak of such things around her. Well, she doesn't read my LJ. So meh. What she doesn't see doesn't harm her.
I look forward to the future. I see the future as growing progressively brighter, slowly but surely. Hate is starting to fall to the wayside, we've elected a president who believes in change, in progress, in throwing away artificial divisions.
Oh yes, one more thing I'd like to rant on: When I was looking for results on AZ Prop 102, I found a lot of people who kept insisting "being gay is a choice". I'd like to say again, for the millionth time at least: Sure, being gay might be glamourous in a tarnished way to the people looking in (kinda like prostitution). Sure, being gay might be in all your holy books as a sin. But, if I had a choice in the matter, do people HONESTLY think that I'd choose a life of persecution and humiliation, a life where I can't be who I want, where I can't marry who I want, and where if the wrong person finds out about me I might get killed? What the HEL kind of choice is that to make?
I'm here. I'm queer. And I can't change that for anyone.
...
I'm Mychyl Kime, and I endorse this message.
First, the presidential election. The electoral college was a landslide, the popular vote was significant, and Obama is our next president. (2.5 months to go. See my userinfo for a get-Dubya-out tracker.) Overall: VERY pleased.
Second, Arizona Proposition 102. I've seen a lot of rhetoric on both sides of the field on this one. What it boils down to: a state-based subsidiary of Focus on the Family trying to put, into the state constitution, that marriage is only between one man and one woman. This was a success for them, and a failure for gay rights. However, it doesn't say anything about civil unions. (Granted, that'll probably be the next point they try to hammer home.) Overall: MODERATELY displeased, with a hint of possible future hope still unsnuffed.
Third, California Proposition 8. This one was more worrisome, since it not only would prevent further same-sex marriages in Cali, but would also annul existing ones granted by the state. It passed, but... and this is more a personal highlight than anything... Mendocino County actually voted against it with a very respectable margin. Is it possible? Is my old home, the place I spent most of my youth/adolescent years, actually becoming more tolerant? The numbers speak for themselves, and since the population of Mendocino County is largely based in Ukiah... the numbers tell me I might actually be proud to call Ukiah my hometown finally. Overall: STRONGLY displeased, but with an air of "Ah... what? Seriously? No fucking way!"
Now, I know people (no names) who think voting and the democratic process is a waste. One of them even requested (not a strong enough word, really... more like demanded) I do not speak of such things around her. Well, she doesn't read my LJ. So meh. What she doesn't see doesn't harm her.
I look forward to the future. I see the future as growing progressively brighter, slowly but surely. Hate is starting to fall to the wayside, we've elected a president who believes in change, in progress, in throwing away artificial divisions.
Oh yes, one more thing I'd like to rant on: When I was looking for results on AZ Prop 102, I found a lot of people who kept insisting "being gay is a choice". I'd like to say again, for the millionth time at least: Sure, being gay might be glamourous in a tarnished way to the people looking in (kinda like prostitution). Sure, being gay might be in all your holy books as a sin. But, if I had a choice in the matter, do people HONESTLY think that I'd choose a life of persecution and humiliation, a life where I can't be who I want, where I can't marry who I want, and where if the wrong person finds out about me I might get killed? What the HEL kind of choice is that to make?
I'm here. I'm queer. And I can't change that for anyone.
...
I'm Mychyl Kime, and I endorse this message.