On Being A Second Class Citizen

Leaders of the campaign against Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage herenin California, raised nearly $40 million and ran a careful, disciplined campaign with messages tested by focus groups and with only a few people authorized to speak to the media. The No campaign lost. In the days since, California has seen an outpouring of demonstrations ranging from quiet vigils to noisy street protests against Proposition 8, including rallies outside churches and Mormon temples, as well as boycotts of some businesses that contributed to the Yes on 8 campaign. Many of those activities have been organized not by political professionals and established leaders in the gay community, but by young activists working independently on Facebook. (I love facebook. It seems everyone is on there these days! And that's my point. It is so easy to spread the word there). A majority of the people in California who voted, say that I am (and all gay people are) a second class citizen. Now I am hearing people say we should stop whining and let the vote stand - "the people have spoken," after all. Well it doesn't work like that, or at least it shouldn't. If people were allowed to vote yes on discrimination, it (sadly) would happen more often. That's where the courts need to get involved. Sometimes they need to save us from ourselves.

I'm not nuts about being a second class citizen. I don't think anyone sould be treated that way. Equal rights is not just an lgbt issue. Women are still discriminated against. So are blacks. In some places there is racial discrimination against other groups. Why? Why does this have to happen? I have talked here about love and respect, and I really believe in that, not just as a Christian, although that is part of it, but also as a fair-minded person. We all deserve to be treated with fairness and dignity. Why is this such a difficult concept for some?

Please don't make me or anyone else continue to be a second class citizen.