new thread
My partner of eleven years, Rick, and I got married in San Jose, California, on November 3, one day before a slim majority of voters approved Proposition 8, which eliminates the right of same-sex couples to marry (which was granted by the state Supreme Court back on May 16). Although we expect our marriage to be upheld as valid, we are saddened for those thousands of gay and lesbian couples throughout the state who were stripped of their equal rights, and angered at this miscarriage of democracy. I think that our rights will be eventually restored, but in the meantime we intend to fight, loudly and strongly, for justice.
If anyone would like more information on the background of this case, or on what you can do to help support the fight for equality, please contact me directly, and I'd be happy to talk to you about it.
Here's a picture of Rick and me at our wedding. Yeah, he's a shorthair, but I still love him. Sorry his tongue was sticking out in the photo.
Dino
CONGRATS, --- and nice pic (even if Rick's tongue is sticking out - lol)!!
Although I am also disappointed w/ Prop 8 not being defeated, I figure it is truly only a matter of time. To think about the fact that it wasn't all that long ago that heterosexual couples of mixed race were not allowed to marry in America, and to realize that nowadays nobody questions their right to do so now, shows proof of society's progress on these issues.
I heard an interview over NPR a few months ago (don't remember the name of the speaker, unfortunately), and the comment that struck me as the most profound was this: "What are people so afraid of by allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry? What aspects of the sacredness of marriage could gays and lesbians possible destroy that heterosexual couples have not already accomplished?" (LOL) Think about it...
Thanks again for sharing this wonderful post and pic. After eleven years of already being in a committed relationship with each other, you and many other couples that I know are excellent examples of why we should have equal rights.
- Ken
Ken, You write such thoughtful and loving posts. Thanks always for both your endearing support of members thoughts as well as your ongoing and energetic enthusiasm for LONG AND BEAUTIFUL HAIR!
Best always, Johnnie
I presume the old Prop 8 is still whiring and too close to call!
To me marriage should be 1 guy and 1 gal and it's based on my religion.
If such a proposal to allow gay marriage is passed then I think the proposal should also be inclusive...for example polygamy is not included and there are many families in the US that live that way. I wonder why the mormons opposed LOL
And freedom of religion in America means the freedom to live and practice your religion without persecution. It does NOT mean any one religious group has the right to FORCE people with different belief systems to comply with their own. But this is what has been happening. Civil rights are not won easily or without a price. Believers in equality will simply have to keep persevering.
I would love to see more open gay couples in texas...
Congratulations to both of you! As a California resident, I am saddened and embarrassed at the passage of Prop 8. I honestly feel that this setback to equal rights would not have passed were it not for all the money poured in by out-of-state churches and special interests. I sincerely hope that the state legislature will find the same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional and strike it down.
You've got you're branches of government mixed up.
(The CA legislators can't find their own heads ;-)
And since this new "ban" is now part of the state constitution, it can't be "unconsitutional", since it is part of the constitution.
It isn't an amendment to the CA constitution. Thus legal challenges have been filed, three that I can think of. So the CA supreme court can rule it unconstitutional as they are likely to do as it passed by a narrow margin.
To be an amendment they would have to do as other states where the legislature votes to send it to the voters and they have to do it twice in two separate sessions. Since the Democrats have control of one or both chambers of the legislature that's unlikely. That's why not all the states have done this as the Democrats will not allow it up for votes where they have majority control.
Kevin
I agree that the Supreme Court can strike it down (and hopefully will). But, the way I understand it, it IS an amendment, albeit in name only. Yes, the legislature can vote on a proposed amendment and send it to the voters for ratification. That's one why to amend the state Constitution. But also the voters themselves, without going through the legislature, if they get enough signatures (8% of registered voters) on a petition, which they did in the case of Prop. 8, can put it on the ballot as an initiative to amend the Constitution. Therefore, Prop. 8 is a valid amendment in that proper procedure was followed to place it on the ballot, and then it was approved.
However, the legal argument that has been filed with the Supreme Court now is that Prop. 8 is such a major change to constitutional principles (because it unlawfully discriminates against a protected minority) that it constitutes a revision to the Constitution, not an amendment. A revision is a much broader change than an amendment because it alters fundamental constitutional principles, and accordingly requires a more rigorous procedure for enactment -- namely, it must be approved by both houses of the legislature, and then approved by the electors. Since this did not happen, petitioners argue that Prop. 8 should be nullified.
Thanks
I too got caught in the revision verses amendment debate. I had no idea Californias constitution could be amended so easily. You would think a prop of that nature should have to pass by 2/3 or something as opposed to a simple majority.
Good luck hope it gets tossed out.
Kevin
Congrats Dino! Much happiness to you both.
Isn't it amazing that anytime there is bigotry and inequality in the world, 99% of the time it is fronted by religious organizations. Unbelievable.
Enough ranting...great news on your wedding...three cheers!
Max
Congratulations to you and Rick. May you have many happy years together.
TLH
Dino,
Congratulations to you and Rick. You make a nice couple. I was saddened to see the passing of Prop 8...I wonder how many voted the wrong way because of the wording of it. Anyway, I pray things go well for you guys. Take care & have a wonderful life together!
Take care,
Brett
PS: Work on Rick and get him to grow his hair out. Yours looks great!
Congratulations Dino and Rick, may you be blessed with peace and tranquility!
Bruce
Congratulations!!! Well even if they passed it now, you still got married. Over here it was never legal. You have been together for so long, it’s impossible that you don’t love each other. I love seeing newly weds ^^
May you have the best days of your lives !!
Congratulations!
Hi Dino,
Congratulations to both of you, and here's to many years of happiness!
Cheers,
David
Congratulations! unfortunately, here in FL, AFAIK our own version of prop 8 (called amendment 2) was passed recently. this is a hit to the senior community down here too (the amendment bans civil unions too, which some seniors are in). Well, good luck to you for the future, and i hope ur marriage stays legal!
Congratulations !!! and your hair shows awsome progress compared to your avatar picture
Tes
Hey Dino, great to see you and hear of your fantastic news. Congratulations to you both!!
Kind regards, Dave
I appreciate everyone's congratulations and kind words. Thank you so much -- it is nice to feel validated. I know that this is a very contentious issue for some, and wanted just to add that we don't want to interfere with anyone's rights to free speech. We just feel very strongly that we're entitled to the same rights as anyone else, and on an equal footing (i.e., marriage, not civil unions), regardless of majority opinion. At its heart, it's not a political issue -- it's a human issue. And I hope the courts will recognize this and strike Prop. 8 down. One of the time-honored responsibilities of the judiciary is to protect the rights of minorities against the whimsical imposition of the will of the majority.
Who knows what can happen if we allow discrimination to become law, just because 51% of the people say so? We longhaired men, for example, might end up seeing our rights abridged in an increasing number of situations. Sounds a little far-fetched, perhaps, but it's the same principle. Without judicial protection, our Constitution is an empty promise.
nuttidave -- great to see you here, as always. Sorry I've been making myself scarce the past few months! Wish you all the best.
As for Prop 8... *stabby rip stab stab* D<
...I think that adequately portrays my feelins, though not so much eloquently as...deliciously violently.
Congrats to the both of you and I wish you all the best.
It's unfortunate that prop 8 succeeded hopefully the CA Supreme court will rule against it. (see my post further down for details on that).
Kevin
Congratilations with your marriage, I wish the two of you all the best. Let's hope the law changes in the future for equal rights!
Yeah...I was very disappointed with the passing of this prop!!
Also, as a California resident, I live in the Central Valley, just south of the Capital, Sacramento---this part of the state is very swing like in the bigger cities (Sacramento, Fresno), and very conservative in the rural areas--I live in the country, and it is filled with closed minds!
Just the other day, I was in Fresno, before it was passed, and people were on the corners on the streets praising prop 8...sad
I believe in the freedom of speech, but as a open minded, long hair, and yes, gay...it is hard to live with....
But, it will work out---Im 17, im sure the future is bright :-)
Anyways, Congrats!
Peace!!
-Ddude
Thanks a lot, Ddude! I'm sorry, I know it can be tough growing up and living in such an area sometimes, but it sounds like you're pretty self-confident, so that's good. And I think you have a lot of reason to look forward to a brighter future. I really think the CA Supreme Court is going to just throw Prop. 8 out. And even if it doesn't, the fight will continue, and we'll get there sooner or later. Believe me, it's a much more enlightened world now, as far as gay rights are concerned, than it was even when I was 17 (and that would have been 1983).
Peace.
Yeah--Thanks Barefoot Guy :-)
Yeah, College is in the near future, and even so, my plans are in WA state, so even if CA doesn't pass it into law soon, i know WA is pretty open in doing so....eventually...lol
ddude