Comments on: Ruby-Sachs: Utah Fights for Gay Rights

By: dfrw

dfrw — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 02:10:31 +0000

Ack! Sorry about my English. It was early when I wrote it and 365 has not edit button.

By: dfrw

dfrw — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 10:47:38 +0000

Florida is not a gay mecca. Whoever thinks that is seriously mistaken. Florida is very anti-gay. It is so anti-gay that after 11 years living there in Fort Lauderdale and a marriage amendment getting on the ballot, that I packed up and took my money elsewhere in October, 2008. Now, I live in Massachusetts which is more expensive. However, my marriage is recognized and my spouse is on my insurance at work.

Long story short: Florida is not a gay mecca.

By: ozzy

ozzy — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:57:13 +0000

“If we, like the Utahns, swallow our pride, we might get more done.”

What the hell does that mean?

So we go and ask a church for our civil rights?

Or we tell them that they were right all along and while we agree we are going to hell, we just want to have some “special rights” granted?

Wow, Harvey Milk would be proud of reading this mental fart, whatever. Now it almost feels like Utah is the ultimate gay utopia. They have no civil unions or domestic partnerships statewide but state employees get benefits. Woohoo!!!

By: Ramsey

Ramsey — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:48:01 +0000

While i disagree that the “most hateful of us” should be the target our energy, I do wholeheartedly support outreach efforts. People on here saying the mormons will never change their crazy beliefs forget that not too long ago, they didn’t allow African-American clergy because of incredibly racist beliefs in their religion. That changed.

Far too often the “worst of us” are equated to the mainstream, and it’s just not true. While we should call out those truly heinous individuals, we can’t let a few truly malicious people paint the entire picture of our advocacy efforts. The majority of people out there are normal folks who are just sticking to the dogmatic traditions they’ve never thought to really question, and we need to find ways to bring them to our side instead of being so quick to insult, label, and yell at them.

By: JayC

JayC — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:27:23 +0000

Expecting rational behavior from irrational people is irrational in itself. My partner and myself will celebrate 35 years together this summer. We’ve learned, I think you should as well.

By: Mercedes

Mercedes — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:20:35 +0000

Ms. Ruby-Sachs,

You are all over the board on your opinions and ideas….P.S. nothing Obama can do will ease the sting of the Warren selection. That selection speaks for itelf. The only remaining question is whether he will make good on his promises. There is no love left in my heart to feel any further sting. I want cold hard progress or all the deal is broken.

By: Bud Burgoon-Clark

Bud Burgoon-Clark — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:59:26 +0000

The only useful change I see in all this is the funerals of those born before WWII. It may take another generation yet before most of the bigots die off, but there is every indication that fanatical homophobic religions are losing their grip on people’s minds (at least in the US) and a majority of people 30 years of age and under truly don’t understand what the fuss is all about re: equal rights for GLBTQA people.

The Mormons took a BIG PR hit on Prop Hate, and I hope it continues to reverberate.

Magic underpants and gold tablets, INDEED!!??

Cheers,

Bud Burgoon-Clark
San Diego CA USA

By: peter lawrence

peter lawrence — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:59:08 +0000

Emma: Trying to reason with/explain/gain understanding or acceptance from the Mormons is about as risky as trying to tame a pit full of rattlsnakes that are up to your hips. These people are not rational, and have closed minds. There is NOTHING we can say or do that will change them. Realizing this lets us devote our energy to gaining our rightful place in this Republic through the courts and using the Constitution which is there to protect us all. Educating people, letting them know we are everywhere and equal is the way to go. Fighting the Stemberger’s and the Christo-fascists with truth and science will succeed.

By: Lcatgoddess in Az

Lcatgoddess in Az — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:54:18 +0000

Coming from a state with a large LDS population, I can tell you that, in general, Mormons tend to be the nicest people, who never shy from polite discourse; however, this did not stop the Mormon Church from strongly aiding in the passage of Prop 102 in AZ and Prop 8 in CA. You can reach out all you want, but little will not change an absolute belief in and adherence to what the LDS faithful are told from church leaders. Outreach is, of course, always a good path, but, in this case, will never effect the changes we are seeking.

By: JayC

JayC — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:22:27 +0000

No matter what we do, we’re merely offering the Mormons (or other fundamentalists) a choice between playing fair, or adhering to their religion. Which one do you think they’ll choose? I think it’s fairly safe to say that “outreach” attempts have failed miserably and will continue to fail.