Educate me plz

[fightingthecage]

So, who wants to explain Prop 8 to me and why its such a big deal? I've only ever heard of it on my flist and am far too lazy and chilled after ten bad days to look it up for myself.

:D?

Comments

[agoodshinkickin.livejournal.com]

Prop 8 is an Amendment to the California Constitution which defines Marriage as a legal contract between a man and a woman. The reason this is a big deal is because earlier this year the California Supreme Court ruled that there was nothing in the California Constitution which prohibited all couples from marrying.

Prop 8 Changes the Constitution of California.

[fightingthecage.livejournal.com]

Huh. But that's weird, right? I mean, of all the states to keep same-sex marriage legal, you'd think it would be California.

Does that mean that all the couples who did get married are now not legally recognised?

[agoodshinkickin.livejournal.com]

That would be the rub, yes.

And...the status of the couples that have already married is kind of up in the air at the moment. On the one hand: it's illegal. On the other hand: there's no language in the actual proposition that mentions it being retroactive.

[djcati.livejournal.com]

Well, the official ballot title is a pretty good explanation itself:

"Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry"

Same-sex couples have been able to marry in California since -- I think May? Or June. So unlike the other states where this type of amendment was voted in (Florida and Arizona, I believe), this proposition might actually annull several thousand existing marriages. And certainly takes away a right that people have had for five or six months already.

I didn't really look it up properly until after the election, which might not have been a great idea because now I just get really angry and upset when I think about it. It's like, it's not even just a case of people denying other people rights -- they're actually taking them away. :\

[prix-etoile.livejournal.com]

That is why I am so mad about it. It TAKES AWAY rights already given, which is bullshit and I RAGE RAGE RAGE.

Cati, GET TO CONNECTICUT, WE'RE GETTING MARRIED, GODDAMMIT.

[fightingthecage.livejournal.com]

this proposition might actually annull several thousand existing marriages

Right, that answered my next question. Lord. That's just...wrong. Well, it's wrong that same-sex marriages should be denied at all

[fogg8.livejournal.com]

Obviously, I'm not that savvy on all things US politics, but my understanding is that it is a proposition to ban gay couples getting married in California.

A few months ago a court said banning gay marriage was unconstitutional, so they made it legal in CA. Anyway, they created prop 8 and held a referendum. Yes if you wanted to ban gay marriage, no if you didn't. And Yes won.

I think the way it was worded was so deceptive. I mean, if you say NO on 8, it sounds almost like you're saying no on gay marriage.

[fogg8.livejournal.com]

Also, I think they had prop 2 (or 22) in Arizona which banned gay couples and singles to adopt children. Which also passed.

I seriously don't understand it...you're taking away someones rights because it...what?...makes you feel iffy, or something??!

What was ridculous about it is that those who were Yes for 8, said it was because its breaking down the idea of 'family'. In that case, they need a proposition that bans divorce!

[fightingthecage.livejournal.com]

I'm almost sorry I asked. This shit just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I cannot understand, in any way, why people would vote against letting people be happy. It's ridiculous.

[prix-etoile.livejournal.com]

What these people said.

And then there's Amendment 2 in Florida which not only denied the right to benefits for gay couples, but also heterosexual couples bound by common law. RARRRGH.

[fightingthecage.livejournal.com]

For God's sake. Really?

...there's hope that this stuff will change under Obama, right? Please say yes.

[prix-etoile.livejournal.com]

I sure as hell hope so. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping Obama can change things for gay rights.

If not, I'll go out there and punch each person in the face til they let people get married to whoever they want. WE'RE NOT GONNA START MARRYING PLANTS AND DOGS IF WE CAN MARRY THE SAME SEX, SILLIES.

[wakeupnew]

Honestly, as much of a fan as I am of Obama's, I don't know how much his administration will change this. I mean, hell, the situation for gay rights has to be better under him than it was under Bush, but Obama isn't for gay marriage; he supports civil unions instead. So I'm not anticipating any sweeping change coming from the White House on this.

[fightingthecage.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I sometimes forget that civil unions aren't the same thing. I suppose it's better than nothing - but all this just reminds how unfair it is that there is the distinction at all. I mean, I saw all the same-sex couples that had their civil unions when they were first allowed over here and they all looked so happy that they were allowed to do it - it is great, but thinking of the fight just to let them have that much, it's depressing to imagine how much work it will take to allow 'proper' marriage.

We use the Church as an excuse in the UK and some might even think its a valid excuse - small nation, one main church that still has a fair amount of power etc. I can't see how that works in the US with the massive amount of diversity in religion you have; I suppose Christianity still predominates and the far-right religious nuts have a lot of sy, especially with Dubya as president.