Instead of writing a self-glamorizing, empowering and otherwise vain introductory entry, I choose to write about something that has completely grabbed my attention and upset my stomach…that is happening outside of my home, outside of my country and borders, yet disgusts me to my core so much that I feel I must speak.
I awoke this morning to write about my complete joy of witnessing a new page being turned in American history last night. Instead, I write out of disgust and disbelief. Crawling into bed last night at 2:30am, with the beautiful visions of a country united, free, equal…every skin color, gender and class coming together shedding tears of joy for new hope. My respect in America was renewed. This morning, I have had my angst and bitterness towards to U.S. pushed back into my face.
Viewing these results .. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/ballot.measures/
While the US made an amazing decision electing Obama, which renewed some of my faith in the country.... my faith has been replaced by shame, anger and disappointment now that the results have come in on other issues.
While Obama said equality for all; gay, straight, abled, disabled- "Yes we can"..... No, you can't, apparently.... Nation wide proposals to ban gay marriage, gay adoption and abortion have been passed.
You want the rights straight Americans have? No you can't!
You want the right to KEEP the marriage your state allowed you only a month ago? To live in love and peace like a HUMAN BEING? No you can't!
You were uneducated about sex and reproduction, you were abused, taken advantage of, and now have life growing inside of you. You would like to take matters into your hands and prevent another welfare case , another abused child? No, you cant!
While states passed measures to decriminalize small amounts of pot, ban Grey Hound racing, ban unethical treatment of pregnant pigs and baby cows, and have decrimilized dying with dignity if you have less than 6 months to live with a terminal illness... if you are gay, lesbian or transgendered in America and want basic HUMAN RIGHTS and equality granted to the rest of your countrymen? No you can't.
Can you be treated as an equal? No you can't.
I am disgusted with Americans right now. My joy and pride from the Obama win has completely been lost. My tears of joy for a new chapter in American history with a black president and presumed equality for all have gone. They have dried up, just like my respect for Americans at this point.
Prop 8 in California seemed like a joke to me. How could a state finally grant happiness and hope to thousands of human beings, then rip it away from them? This is no joke, it is a cruel reality. The visual of thousands of gay and lesbian couples having their marriage certificates nulled and voided makes me sick to my stomach. While you do not need a piece of paper to prove your love to an individual, knowing that the country you live in doesn't respect you enough as a human being to allow you to have that piece of paper is a complete disgrace.
Shame on you America. Electing a black president does not redeem you. My thoughts and prayers go out to every human being who's rights are currently being trampled on and ripped from their hands and hearts.
As a closing thought, perhaps to bring hope, or raise spirits... If a black president elect can happen....legal and accepted gay marriage can happen. The homosexual community faces similar descrimination and denial of rights as the black community faced just decades ago.
Last night , after Obama was elected they interview a young black man rejoicing in the streets, overcome with joy, crying and yelling "All the doors are finally open! Finally open!!" I hope that someday very soon, I can see two men, or two women, (Or two people who haven't decided/assigned gender roles yet) holding hands, crying with that same joy saying " All the doors are finally open!"
info cited from http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/04/state.laws/index.html
