This is an issue that I am passionate about. And as the news unfolds today, I will have countless conversations with people about the decision. It will be difficult to comprehend my feelings on so many levels, but I want to preserve my thoughts from today.
So in a very meta blog post, I am going to copy some of the more important exchanges I have online today, including dialogs from Facebook postings.
Starting at 10:00 AM:
Brian Davis SHAME
----Christopher Cole Shame on California. I am so grateful that I now live in Connecticut.
Brian Davis Shame on me? No offense, but f*ck you. I worked hard and care passionately. Shame on the people that voted yes. Shame on leaders -- National (um... President Obama) and local (um... the entire weak-willed Democratic Caucus) who couldn't make this state a priority. Who couldn't demonstrate real leadership, and who live in an echo chamber where ... Read Morethey treated the No on 8 campaign like it was an HIV Prevention campaign. And shame on the people that don't live here acting like they are lucky to have their full rights under the law.
Every queer and queer loving American has an obligation to take to the streets and make sure that our rights don't take a backseat to Union membership drives, the right to choose, or the right to own a godd*mn gun. And not just today, but every day until there is real change and not just change for less than 3% of the country.
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Nicole C. Curran Sad day for CA, however there is so much more work to be done on all levels to fight for equality.
Brian DavisLike getting rid of the idiots that got us here in the first place... starting with our side.
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Lauran Huff is officially a member of a minority within a minority
Brian DavisI love you dearly and still find it revolting that California now has a third faction, a special class. The compromise is so not inspired by the law but appeasing voters that it is truly shameful.
However, if you decided to have kids and are looking for a Godfather, I am a good one with 4 godchildren already. Likely my only chance to be part of a legal queer family. :)
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Mckenna Poole Unbelievable. I'm ashamed to be a Californian.
Brian DavisLet's fix it! It's not our fault. It's the ignorant f*cktards on both sides who lost this for us. Let them eat cake, from the bottom of a basket.
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Brian Davis What to think of friends that post cute funny news articles at the moment that you are having your dignity stripped from you by the California Supreme Court? Oh yeah... MORONS!
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Christopher Cole to
Brian Davis: Are you California, Mr. Davis? No offense taken, but I'm certainly not shaming the people, but the state, the institution that should stand for all, for equality, for justice
Brian DavisBe clear in who is too blame:
A weak progressive majority in Sacramento that has pulled out this issue just for campaign contributions.
A tonedeaf leadership in the queer community who are so far in the closet that they couldn't take a 30 year-old lesson about empowerment.
A intellectually uncurious community who throws millions to groups like HRC, GLAAD and Lorri Jean while Lambda Legal uses donated desks and does the real heavy lifting.
A president who took millions out of this state but didn't have the simple integrity to stand along side us in this fight.
A once-bold Supreme Court who once spoke out clearly on the side of justice, and yet seemed to pull together a decision based more on political popularity and job security (the lesson of Rose Bird) wrapped in the guise of the Constitution.
And a nation of queers who can't make a protest because they have dinner reservations.
But it's not the state of California's fault, and the responsibly spreads from sea to sea.
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Bruce McFarland If we want the population to wholeheartedly support marriage equality, voters need to make it clear that they support it. It shouldn’t be forced upon them by judges after Californians voted to remove the rights of some individuals. Let’s do it again, and this time, let’s make sure everyone joins the campaign for marriage equality. It’s a fight worth waging, and the victory at the ballot box will be sweeter.
Brian Davis Easy to say. Harder to type with that ring finger being weighted down.
We don't need the populations to "wholeheartedly support" marriage equality. We need the LAW to support it. As it should, and as our constitution dictates.
On May 15, 2008, the Supreme Court said denying marriage equality violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution. Today, the clause is in tact in the Constitution but somehow I am a second class citizen.
I don't need the voters to interpret the Constitution. We have a mechanism for that. And the Court should protect the minority that one year ago needed protection.
Many in some parts of the country still don't "wholeheartedly support" the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, or Affirmative Action programs. That doesn't make them any less the law.
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Brian Davis This is the way the law works in California, from Justice Carlos Moreno's dissenting opinion:
"The question before us is not whether the language inserted into the California Constitution by Proposition 8 discriminates against same-sex couples and denies them equal protection of the law; we already decided in the Marriage Cases that it does."
We have a constitution, which on it's face, discriminates.
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Nicole C. Curran CA Broke our hearts today, but gave us the strength to fight for equality. https://secure.couragecampaign.org/page/contribute/Fearless
Brian DavisIt's a great spot, but what is the Courage Campaign's actual media plan? Really? A 60-second spot? I really think this is a fundraising ploy. Which is fine, but I want to know what the money is going to be used for...
Equality California, Lorri Jean, and the whole No on 8 people did this to me once already!
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Andrew Lachman I hope to see everyone at Santa Monica & San Vicente today at 5
Eli Lipmen LipschultzI will be there in spirit.
Brian DavisWhy not in reality? Imagine if the Freedom Riders, the marchers in Selma, or those on the Capitol said, "Well, I have dinner plans" or "an important conference call." One more voice saying, "If not today, when?" and standing with their brothers and sisters will echo through history.
With the news cameras overhead, sending shots of tens of thousands instead of hundreds might get people to pay attention.
At the least, think of the quiet, gay 13 year old at home tonight in Bakersfield or San Bernadino. When he watches the news before closing his eyes, he'll know that others are marching for him.
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