I completely agree with you, and I think a lot of the blame rests on the people who wanted to see Prop 8 defeated but were disorganized about getting their message out where it mattered. Frankly, I think this ruling is good for the cause of equality in the long run, because it is my firm belief that people need to have the conversation about what this vote means, and we need to actually open up the discussion with those who aren't certain whether they're comfortable with this issue. It's been a huge wave since Prop 8 passed, and it will only continue now.
I had a conversation with my grandmother about the issue. She is generally liberal, but she is also old-fashioned, and simply having a calm conversation and letting her know that civil unions aren't "equal" and that no one should be denied equal protection under the law was enough to make her come around. It is still a situation where people are getting hung up on the word "marriage" and all the religious ramifications of it, but it's not hard to show reasonable people that, no matter what you call it, equality is paramount in our country.
I share your optimism that this will be put back on the California ballot in 2010, and that it will be the law of California after that election. And I'm glad to be living in a county (Los Angeles) that had the greatest number of people voting for Prop 8 so that I can help make a difference.
I definitely think this will be a wake up call to those who've been sort of waiting around hoping that the courts would take the matter out of their hands. It's not going to work that way with this issue. Constitutional bans are passed by vote, and they need to be overturned by a vote for any real, lasting change.
I think convincing people will be a lot easier than we think. It's like you said--Americans really understand the concept of equality. And most of them, if you can frame this as an issue of civil rights and not as one about religion or any of that, I think most people can be convinced. We just have to push people into opening their minds up a little.
I mean, if John McCain's daughter can be pro-gay marriage...
I had a conversation with my grandmother about the issue. She is generally liberal, but she is also old-fashioned, and simply having a calm conversation and letting her know that civil unions aren't "equal" and that no one should be denied equal protection under the law was enough to make her come around. It is still a situation where people are getting hung up on the word "marriage" and all the religious ramifications of it, but it's not hard to show reasonable people that, no matter what you call it, equality is paramount in our country.
I share your optimism that this will be put back on the California ballot in 2010, and that it will be the law of California after that election. And I'm glad to be living in a county (Los Angeles) that had the greatest number of people voting for Prop 8 so that I can help make a difference.
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I think convincing people will be a lot easier than we think. It's like you said--Americans really understand the concept of equality. And most of them, if you can frame this as an issue of civil rights and not as one about religion or any of that, I think most people can be convinced. We just have to push people into opening their minds up a little.
I mean, if John McCain's daughter can be pro-gay marriage...
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