Gay and Republican? What?
I've probably mentioned before, I hate politics. It bores me. But this year its nearly impossible to avoid hearing, seeing, talking about it. As many have said, this could be the most important election you ever vote in. After the last screwed up election, I was not proud to be an American (although, I'm not sure I ever have been. I'd much rather be Canadian, or Swede, or Finn). But I never once believed that George W Bush would be re-elected. I found out just how stupid the American people were.
This year I will not be so naive. I do believe that the people could choose another Republican. Since the election is such a hot topic these days I have learned a lot about the so-called Gay Republicans, both as a group and individuals who label themselves this. And I just don't get it. I just don't understand how you can be a gay person, AND vote Republican. I realize these folks believe in the conservative ethics of the party. Ok. But what about all the things the GOP does that directly go against everything gay people fight for?
Lets just start with the big one, gay marriage. There seems to be lots of debate over the word "marriage," which is a religious term used for the joining of "one man and one woman." I have to admit, not even I really believe in "marriage" as it is today. Anyone and their brother can get "married"...and divorced a day later. Why would I want to be associated with that? The religious institution of marriage doesn't mean a hell of a lot in America today. But what about equal rights for gays in domestic partnerships? The issue shouldn't be about the name, but about the rights associated with it. I watched the Vice Presidential debates (even though I didn't want to), and neither party is for "gay marriage." But the Republicans clearly were against equal rights via civil union, domestic partnership etc. After the debates there was a lot of blogging and commenting how the two parties are on the same wave-length regarding gay marriage...until you look at what Palin ACTUALLY said. What she said was that she agreed with Biden that she does not support gay marriage ie. changing the definition of one man one woman. She also said their party would do nothing to prohibit things such as hospital visitation, rights to ownership of property, etc. for gay couples. Ok, thanks, but in the majority of places, we dont have those rights yet! There is no law saying that gay couples can have hospital visitation rights. Thanks for not prohibiting these rights lady, but they don't yet exist! The Obama ticket is for establishing these rights, without disabling the poor religious right and their corner on the definition of marriage.
Another reason people, gay or otherwise, are for the GOP is their "limited government control" approach to running the country. Sure, we all want to government to shove off and leave us alone, but what they really mean is leaving decisions to each individual State. In some cases this is great, like for natural resources management. But in terms of gay rights, its a step backward. If left up to the states, there will be a few states (like there are now) that give gays and partners full rights, but there will ALWAYS be states that would rather see gays exiled than given rights. There are states that don't view gay people as full citizens. Hmm, reminds me of, oh I don't know, when black people weren't viewed as citizens? Actually some of these same states would probably still not let blacks vote if it were up to the states to decide. So if I live in New Hampshire where they have civil unions, we're fine as long as we're here. But if we go visit my parents in Michigan and my partner gets hurt and has to stay in the hospital, I don't have ANY rights, because Michigan doesn't recognize my union. Wow, that sounds really great, maybe I should vote Republican. I like not having any rights. Makes me feel so much less responsible for my life. If the federal government were to make the decision on this at least we would only have to fight one battle, not 50.
So these are just two issues among several important in this election. And gay rights aren't everything. But the way I see it, a vote for a Republican is a vote for someone who doesn't believe you (a gay person) are a full citizen, with the same rights as straight people. A vote for a Republican is a vote for someone who bases decisions on religion, not what's best for the people (and the majority of gays hate religion!). And yet some (many I am finding out) gay people still vote Republican. How can you vote for someone who blatantly hates you to your face?
I am scared to be an American. There are people voting GOP simply because they can't imagine a black man as the president. There are people voting GOP because they would rather have what they know even if it sucks, than experience something new. There are people voting GOP for spite because Clinton wasn't chosen. There are people voting GOP even though those they are voting for see them as second class citizens. I am scared to be an American.
This year I will not be so naive. I do believe that the people could choose another Republican. Since the election is such a hot topic these days I have learned a lot about the so-called Gay Republicans, both as a group and individuals who label themselves this. And I just don't get it. I just don't understand how you can be a gay person, AND vote Republican. I realize these folks believe in the conservative ethics of the party. Ok. But what about all the things the GOP does that directly go against everything gay people fight for?
Lets just start with the big one, gay marriage. There seems to be lots of debate over the word "marriage," which is a religious term used for the joining of "one man and one woman." I have to admit, not even I really believe in "marriage" as it is today. Anyone and their brother can get "married"...and divorced a day later. Why would I want to be associated with that? The religious institution of marriage doesn't mean a hell of a lot in America today. But what about equal rights for gays in domestic partnerships? The issue shouldn't be about the name, but about the rights associated with it. I watched the Vice Presidential debates (even though I didn't want to), and neither party is for "gay marriage." But the Republicans clearly were against equal rights via civil union, domestic partnership etc. After the debates there was a lot of blogging and commenting how the two parties are on the same wave-length regarding gay marriage...until you look at what Palin ACTUALLY said. What she said was that she agreed with Biden that she does not support gay marriage ie. changing the definition of one man one woman. She also said their party would do nothing to prohibit things such as hospital visitation, rights to ownership of property, etc. for gay couples. Ok, thanks, but in the majority of places, we dont have those rights yet! There is no law saying that gay couples can have hospital visitation rights. Thanks for not prohibiting these rights lady, but they don't yet exist! The Obama ticket is for establishing these rights, without disabling the poor religious right and their corner on the definition of marriage.
Another reason people, gay or otherwise, are for the GOP is their "limited government control" approach to running the country. Sure, we all want to government to shove off and leave us alone, but what they really mean is leaving decisions to each individual State. In some cases this is great, like for natural resources management. But in terms of gay rights, its a step backward. If left up to the states, there will be a few states (like there are now) that give gays and partners full rights, but there will ALWAYS be states that would rather see gays exiled than given rights. There are states that don't view gay people as full citizens. Hmm, reminds me of, oh I don't know, when black people weren't viewed as citizens? Actually some of these same states would probably still not let blacks vote if it were up to the states to decide. So if I live in New Hampshire where they have civil unions, we're fine as long as we're here. But if we go visit my parents in Michigan and my partner gets hurt and has to stay in the hospital, I don't have ANY rights, because Michigan doesn't recognize my union. Wow, that sounds really great, maybe I should vote Republican. I like not having any rights. Makes me feel so much less responsible for my life. If the federal government were to make the decision on this at least we would only have to fight one battle, not 50.
So these are just two issues among several important in this election. And gay rights aren't everything. But the way I see it, a vote for a Republican is a vote for someone who doesn't believe you (a gay person) are a full citizen, with the same rights as straight people. A vote for a Republican is a vote for someone who bases decisions on religion, not what's best for the people (and the majority of gays hate religion!). And yet some (many I am finding out) gay people still vote Republican. How can you vote for someone who blatantly hates you to your face?
I am scared to be an American. There are people voting GOP simply because they can't imagine a black man as the president. There are people voting GOP because they would rather have what they know even if it sucks, than experience something new. There are people voting GOP for spite because Clinton wasn't chosen. There are people voting GOP even though those they are voting for see them as second class citizens. I am scared to be an American.