Subscribe to Breaking NewsWithers: Likely voters in CA not supporting Prop 8
Proposition 8, the California constitutional amendment that would outlaw same-sex marriage, is not making any inroads with likely voters. At least according to the Public Policy Institute of California. In a press release yesterday, the PPIC noted Prop 8 “Is losing among likely voters, 52 percent to 44 percent.”
While this is a comfortable lead it’s important to note that the gap has been getting smaller since the summer. In August it was 40 percent yes and 54 no; September was 41 percent yes and 55 no.
When they crunched the numbers, PPIC found that “at least half of men, women, Latinos, and whites oppose Proposition 8.” I’m not sure why blacks weren’t listed but it could be because they make up only 7 percent of the state’s population. But the small population does not mean there isn’t an intense fight to get black Californians to vote either yay or nay.
This is pure selfish, but I’m hoping Prop 8 goes down in flames. Not because I’m all about same-sex marriage (agnostic about the topic), but if gay marriage in California is struck down then this site and every other gay political site will be overwhelmed with “conversations” on black homophobia.
We should talk about homophobia of course, no matter who espouses it, but when the talk is about black folk and homophobia our loopy pills kick in because we say some silly, and ahistorical, noise. What silly noise am I talking about? Oh, let’s see: how people are shocked and appalled that black folk who were oppressed are now in favor of keeping someone else down (yeah because discrimination makes people all noble and stuff). Or this gem—my personal favorite by the way: blacks are the most homophobic people in the history of the world.
I have no trouble talking about anti-gay crap that some black folk adhere to (especially when they are grooving to a Luther Vandross tune); however, there’s no need for hyperbole.
I live in Lake County California. I had an appointment in Burlingame this week. During my drive, scanning the radio, I heard “no on 8″ ads, over and over and over.
Why are these being broadcast to an area that obviously is voting no anyway. It is a waist of money in my opinion. Those same clever ads should come to areas, such as the one I live in, but they are not!!
additional info. I do a radio show once a week on our local radio serving this area, called “Our Stories Our Lives”, about lesbian and gay issues, both past and present. No on 8 has been my focus.
The way this Prop. was worded is deliberately confusing! Voting NO is for same-sex marriage and YES is against any form of marriage except man-woman. The churches(LDS & Catholic) and their NON-CALIFORNIANS shouldn’t interfere in California matters. It is OUR STATE! Keep out unless you want to pay Ca. income tax. I don’t see these people putting money into any other California issues.
James, Will Cox is dead on right with his assessment based on education and income. That was very irresponsible journalism on your part.
John Said: “Marriage in my mind is very blunt and clear: A man weded, committed, in a contractural relationship either before God or Society or Both to a woman.”
*hsnds John the toilet psper* Here, go wipe your mind.
“What silly noise am I talking about? Oh, let’s see: how people are shocked and appalled that black folk who were oppressed are now in favor of keeping someone else down (yeah because discrimination makes people all noble and stuff).”
No, it’s because the pain of having experienced discrimination should bring forth empathy for others who experience discrimination. If it doesn’t, then a measure of one’s humanity has been lost in the crucible. We admire people like MLK Jr. precisely because he didn’t lose his humanity to bitterness and didn’t try to raise himself up by trampling on others.
Proposition 8 does not discriminate. It is a simple definition of marriage. People can scream that it is intolerant and hateful, but they are ignorant. Homosexual couples are fundamentally different than heterosexual couples and should not be labeled the same. They are psychosocially and physically different.
What would you call two loving adults in a committed relationship? Marriage? What if I told you these one of these two people gave birth to the other one? Well, it may be a mother-daughter/son relationship. We can not and should not make assumptions. Marriage in my mind is very blunt and clear: A man weded, committed, in a contractural relationship either before God or Society or Both to a woman. Their pyschosocial dynamic is fundamentally different because of the emotional make up of a man and a woman.
That psychosocial dynamic changes completely when you put to women or two men together. It is a completely different type of relationship. To lump them together is to do a disservice to both.
Vote Yes on 8! Stop the Maddness
I’m a graduate student in psychology who researches prejudice, so I know quite a bit about this topic. While is is true that Black people in America tend to have higher levels of anti-gay prejudice, it is actually because of level of education and income. Poorer and less educated people, regardless of race, tend to have higher anti-gay prejudice. Black people in our country tend to have much lower income and education, hence the higher rates of prejudice (which they share with Whites of similar income and education). When you adjust for income and education, there are no race differences in prejudice against gays.
Kari: A lot of gay people ARE closet racists,
We were taught to be that way by our bigoted heterosexual white parents. Being aware of this is a daily struggle to be objective and fair. We strive to move forward in our lives that racism is not right and treat everyone with dignity and respect. The same actions I would expect from anyone harboring biases toward LGBT.
Taylor,
“The argument that the abused turn into abusers is common knowledge I thought. Is that why its silly?”
Yes.
Sincerely,
James
Straight people put the same expectations on gays. If you’re gay you’re supposed to approve of everything under the sun, because surely as a gay person you would know what it’s like to be discriminated against, so how dare you not approve of ________.
Kari: A lot of gay people ARE closet racists, but that’s beside the point.
I don’t understand how Withers can find the argument that oppressed blacks can turn around and also oppress, silly? The argument that the abused turn into abusers is common knowledge I thought.
Is that why its silly?
So your argument is that Prop. 8 should fail beacuse otherwise it will result in non-Black gays and lesbians hating on Blacks?
I think your view that a lot of gay people are closet racists is kind of sad, actually.