And the other thing that is so important is furthering an agenda of acceptance that is very widespread among the young. With PCs, cell phones, you tube, etc, their circle of friends is much wider. They have other race friends and gay friends and think nothing of it. Encouraging it through GSAs, etc will do so much as these people turn 18 to change the balance of power. And you can bet that they will largely ignore religion – the opiate of the masses -, because they will understand that one of it’s pillars almost always, especially in the conservative branches, is having a group to hate – blacks, Jews, Muslims, or gays, to further their cause. Nice people, huh. Didn’t hitler teach the world a lesson?

Furthermore, by being out, you will embarass some of the more minor league homophobes, and force them to re-evaluate that position.

And, if I may speak, for the $30k I put into the campaign to kill prop 8, I’ve met a number of catholics, from conservative to relatively liberal, age 20 to 75. And a common thread is that they do support gays being treated equally, regardless of the church. The issue is that they feel in their guts that marriage is primarily a religious thing. Their bottom line is best described as “give them everything they want, except please don’t call it marriage.”

So real civil unions would get you that extra 5% that is needed. And if the law specifies that all legal, contractual, etc rights given to married couples are to be accorded to gay couples, then it’s only failing would be in the area of ‘pride-the use of tthe word.

And the good religious people would get comfortable with their gay friends, etc being treated equally under the law. That is what counts.

I did report this clerk’s behavior to his boss – and am no longer shopping at this store. I’m waiting to see what the owner does as I know I’ll be seeing him on future occasions. Thank you for taking the time to leave your comment and concern. It’s appreciated.

My family no longer makes purchases at this vitamin store and I did let this guy’s boss know why. As we shop in other stores in the same area it will be interesting to see if this clerk loses his position or not.

Charlie – I’m afraid I wasn’t very eloquent in my return when being called the abomination. In fact I stood there in an almost out of body fashion as this guy just lost it. I will add that up to this incident, this clerk and I were on friendly terms as I had no idea of his prejudices and he had no idea I was a lesbian – a married one at that. (my wife and I are one of the 18,000) But, believe me, Charlie, I felt what you’ve said here in my gut even if I couldn’t get anything out.

As to my own spiritual practices – no offense and no worries, Frank. I appreciate that you read my comments and took some of your time to add your own.

Don’t stand for that!

This poll clearly shows:
-Religious nut jobs are easily led to the trough.
-uneducated are ignorant…but likely also in the above category, which the writer should have addressed, if the data were available.
-Non-whites contributed to our loss…their margin is ACRETIVE to the result, not something Mr. Withers has seemed to be willing to admit.
-and so to with the elderly..but no surprise.

But one point that needs to be made that isn’t: we DO NOT have to convince people we are “OK”..how insulting. We should work towards more visibility driving acceptance, but I’m not willing to be Mr. StepandFetchIt for the religious bigots, agreeing that until they accept me I can’t have equality.

WE DO NOT NEED THEIR ACCEPTANCE! WE HAVE OUR CONSTITUTIONS TO PROTECT US.

Point is, we’ll win in the courst much sooner than in the court of public opinion.

And who cares…these people have such poor taste, why do we need their affirmation?..I mean, come on, look at all the vinyl siding out there!

By your name, I assume you’re Jewish, as well as your knowledge of “Gentleman’s agreement.”

Are you a Hassid as well? If so, I apologize for the glib advice.