Comments on: Gay rights measures on the ballot in three states

By: Facebook User

Facebook User — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:14:18 +0000

UH DUH!!!! Are you all Rip van Winkles??? We have been working these all Spring and Summer!!

By: gayactivist101

gayactivist101 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:37:16 +0000

Third last paragraph ther needs to be a correction: “Washington state, along with California, Oregon, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia, have laws that either recognize civil unions or domestic partnerships that afford same-sex couples similar rights to marriage”.

Please add “Nevada” to the list – they also have domestic partnerships based on the Oregon/California model. It will become effective in about 40 hours.

By: gayactivist101

gayactivist101 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:33:24 +0000

The population voter turnout and dominant bicamerimaral political party in the Maine state Government are also factors as well.

JUST FOUND OUT: 1.7 million people live in Maine – so I am assuming that only 15 percent vote or are registered voters (245,575 people).

By: gayactivist101

gayactivist101 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:28:17 +0000

The reason I predict that we will lose marriage equality in Maine is because back in 1990′s people keeped on vetoeing anti-discrimination statutes that added “sexual orientation” to those statutes. After the 5th turn in 2005 it FINALLY got passed into law out-lawing discrimination on the basis of “sexual orientation or gender idenity”.

Learn from experience as they say!!!!!

By: gayactivist101

gayactivist101 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:23:15 +0000

So bigots get to vote at the ballot AGAIN. When do I get to vote on marriages for bigots?????

What part of “ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL” don’t bigots and redneck facist thugs do not understand!!!!!!!

MY PREDICTIONS AS A GAY ACTIVIST OF GAY RIGHTS ON THE BALLOTS IN NOVEMBER 2009:

GAINS:
* I know we will just win in Washington state on domestic partnership 3rd stage (53 for, 47 against).
* I know we will just win in the southwestern Michigan city of Kalamazoo for the LGBT ordinance against discrimination (51 for, 49 against).

LOSSES:
* I know we will lose marriage equality in Maine (54 aginst, 46 for).

By: francis

francis — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:48:11 +0000

Why the hell are people given the right to VOTE on my civil rights. Constitution of the United States of America…Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness… Can’t they read.
It is for every person!

By: Cameron

Cameron — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:51:53 +0000

I wish it didn’t take the loss of such a large and important state such as California to spark a more heated discussion on this topic. But thank goodness for the closing loss margin. I’m glad this issue is being forced.

“In Washington state, a so-called “everything but marriage” law that expands the state’s current domestic partnership law will be on the ballot.”
I’m interesting in seeing how many other states follow in Washington’s footsteps. This seems like the best “compromise” if you will, but I don’t see it changing what we need to have changed. This would keep the LGBTQ community as separate but equal, which is inherently discriminatory. I hope it isn’t all we can hope for.

By: Wayne M.

Wayne M. — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:34:12 +0000

Attorney James Bopp Jr., representing RESTRICT Marriage Washington, says, “No one should have to suffer vandalism and death threats just because they support government protection of traditional marriage.” Mr. Bopp and his group need to recognize that extending marriage equality rights to same sex couples does not endanger or threaten “traditional” opposite sex marriage. In fact, THE TRUTH is that supporters of marriage equality want real measures taken that will protect and support ALL marriages. These include better marriage preparation and support programs.

It is imperative that those who support marriage equality must get the message through to all voters in Maine, Washington, California and everywhere that we SUPPORT traditional marriage, want ALL marriages protected, believe in the value of ALL families and believe ALL children should be safe in their families.

Since opponents of marriage equality also spread the lie (one that causes fear and alarm) that same-sex marriage could endanger religious freedom, we must also stress that there are churches that support marriage equality and those who oppose marriage equality are, in fact, the ones whom are attacking freedom of religion in the United States.

The need to support marriage equality shows one more reason to get out of the bars and stay home from the parties long enough to do something on October 11th to support Equality for LGBT people everywhere. WE CAN’T ALL BE IN WASHINGTON, BUT WE CAN ALL DO SOMETHING!

By: AJD

AJD — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:10:09 +0000

vickif: People don’t get vote on other people’s civil rights, just ours. We’re not human enough to be protected from that. Theoretically, it’s blatant tyranny of the majority, but the problem with going through the courts is that we may run up against Antonin Scalia types (or Antonin Scalia himself) who see it as perfectly acceptable to let the public vote away our dignity because it allows the community to set “moral standards” or whatever.

canoebum: I get your point, but I’m a little tired of waiting for “eventually” when our counterparts in Canada and even South Africa have 10 times the rights that we have. The hypocrisy of this country is sickening.

By: canoebum

canoebum — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:50:48 +0000

Actually vickif, it’s the Declaration of Independence that states, “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” As nice an idea as that is, it has no force of law in our country. The Constitution uses “life, liberty and property.” Either way, our population is certainly being denied liberty, as well as Equal Protection of the Law, Due Process and Full Faith and Credit of the Federal government, all defined in the 14th Amendment. The only way we get the recognition we are entitled to is through the courts. Politicians don’t read the Constitution, even though they swear an oath to uphold it. Most voters are completely clueless as to what it contains…hell, a recent survey found 77% of high school kids in Oklahoma could not name the first President of the US! But your point is well made. Our civil rights should not be put to a vote. The Constitution was designed to protect the minority from the tyranny of the majority. Eventually we will win.