Don't Speak Ugly, Just Listen...
Let's get something straight. (Perhaps an unfortunate choice of word.) The consolation prize does not work. This is not like getting second place, the a red ribbon. I will not get up and say it was an honor just to be nominated. This was not we'll do better next time or congratulations or be a sport. This was a heart wrenching decision. So, even though I appreciate the well wishers who chimed in, at least your marriage is still legal, my heart is tight in my chest, my brain screaming.
Prop 8 was unfortunately upheld by the California Supreme Court, and in a confounding display of decision making, so were the eighteen thousand same sex marriages that were performed between June and November of last year. Upheld. I'm still married. But my brothers and sisters who didn't take advantage of the four month window cannot. I do not feel victorious.
People want to tell me about the bright side. But I don't need any one to pacify me right now. My anger will serve me. My anger will serve the cause. How can I feel safe about my marriage when it isn't even legal in my state? Hatemongers are out there with placards saying I am a sinner, my husband is a sinner. They point fingers and speak ugly, an ugly, if I remember correctly, God and Jesus and Buddha and Allah and all our teachers do not tolerate. It's not for us to judge, but rather a time to listen...
Prop 8 was unfortunately upheld by the California Supreme Court, and in a confounding display of decision making, so were the eighteen thousand same sex marriages that were performed between June and November of last year. Upheld. I'm still married. But my brothers and sisters who didn't take advantage of the four month window cannot. I do not feel victorious.
People want to tell me about the bright side. But I don't need any one to pacify me right now. My anger will serve me. My anger will serve the cause. How can I feel safe about my marriage when it isn't even legal in my state? Hatemongers are out there with placards saying I am a sinner, my husband is a sinner. They point fingers and speak ugly, an ugly, if I remember correctly, God and Jesus and Buddha and Allah and all our teachers do not tolerate. It's not for us to judge, but rather a time to listen...
Comments
You have every right to be pissed.
DITTO to what Manda said too.
And you have every right to be angry. This country is crazy.
I'm here in Maine, hoping that our state can stay sane.
Thanks for the link to that video.
However...Anger is not the route to take...Follow the advice of Mother Theresa and the Dali Lhama...Do not be angry...anger will only give streanght to those who appose you...Focus your attentions on positive action.
I truly believe that one day this will be done right...Right now it's time to prove those naysayers wrong...and you do that with Love, not hate and anger.
My best to you!
I agree with every word that Manda said!!
"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."
Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826)
I agree with No H8 - - - but I sure am getting impatient with these people!
Grannie
"Don't speak ugly" is a wonderful thought. Let them learn to not fear through our loving actions.
Meanwhile, I am not afraid of your anger. I understand.
I still sing Fred Small's Everything Possible to my kids who are now teenagers.
Full civil rights for the queer community must be enacted now. The silence from Obama and his administration... the delays... the excuses... they're just not okay. This kind of hate and discrimination is not okay.
It's about me. And you. And our kids. And our families. And our communities. It's about love and pride versus fear and bigotry and hate.
Separate is never equal, and religious beliefs have no business being the reason for any minority being denied full civil rights and equal protections under the law. Liberty and justice "for some" is un-American. We need liberty and justice for all.
Full marriage rights. Full legal protections for our families and our finances and our property and our jobs. The repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. These things need to happen.
We in the queer community need to be adamant about the need for these rights. Not later, not some day, but now. And we need all the help from our straight friends, families, and communities that we can get.
So yeah. If angry's what you got, run with it. Whatever energy you've got to give it, angry, ebullient, or otherwise, go for it.
Take care, Sue