This was a counter-counter, specifically referring to that ad. It also mentioned that some teacher took a first grade class on a field trip to see a Lesbian wedding. I can certainly understand why they’d oppose that - imagine the harm of a kid seeing two people who love another, and who are clearly not evil monsters, being united in joy.
My personal experiences with friends and acquaintances lead me to believe that it’s less about ignorance and more about familiarity. I know several folks who “don’t like gays” but are honest enough to admit that what they feel is unfair. Nevertheless, it is how they feel. People tend to fear the unfamiliar, things that they can’t relate to or understand well on a fundamental level. It’s not particularly easy to guilt someone into overriding their natural gut-reactions; instinct and emotion are very powerful forces. I hope Proposition 8 doesn’t pass, but I won’t be at all surprised if it does. Until homosexuality is viewed as somewhat unremarkable, I’m not sure reasoned arguments will sway opinions. This takes time, exposure, and the opportunity to view gays as “ordinary folk” to some degree. In the short term, whatever may or may not be written in law won’t change how a significant percentage of people feel, and those emotions have power.
That said, I thought what you wrote was well-written. I think it would be effective in convincing people who do not have strong feelings about gay marriage to vote no. Nice job.
Oh. Sounds slimy indeed…
I’m getting "Yes on “8"” for every single banner ad on the board today regardless of topic or forum. What the hell? They can cram it with walnuts!
After several days and as many conversations, as well as articles and follow-ups, I think I may have talked a fellow Obama supporter who was, sadly, a “Yes on 8” person, into at least skipping that proposition and not voting on it at all. It’s not a ‘No’ vote, but a non-vote is better than a ‘Yes’ vote.
Good on you, Shayna!
I’m technically a resident of Illinois, but I’m going to school in Michigan and I grew up in California. Not being overly excited about the Illinois ballot (gee, I wonder if Obama will win his own state?), I had planned on voting absentee in California just to vote against Prop 8. Well, when I arrived in Michigan, Obama and McCain were quite close in the polls here and Prop 8 looked to be losing, so I let a fanatical Obama-supporting friend in California talk me into registering here.
Now Obama is leading Michigan by such a huge margin that McCain gave up and stopped campaigning in the state, and Prop 8 is close.
:smack:
Sorry, guys. I fucked up.
OTOH, I get to vote to support medical marijuana and stem cell research here in MI.
My feelings exactly. Anyone who would vote for 8 is a small minded, ignorant, miserable bigot. There are people with Yes on 8 signs standing at the freeway entrances and exits in town. I flipped those fuckers off.
OK. Time for a deep breath. I have to get back to work.
Now, hang on a second. Let’s be fair here. It’s perfectly possible that plenty of people will vote yes on 8 because they don’t know any better and they got taken in by the lies. Never attribute malice where stupidity is sufficient.
OTOH, the asshats waving the signs and leading the campaigns? Those people are bigots.
I saw a “Yes on 8” poster today that showed Michael Jackson and a little boy…
Where is the fucking puking smilie?!?
:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:
Indeed. One example is my friend mentioned above. One of his concerns is that if gays are allowed to marry legally, the courts will be able to force churches to perform their marriages. I explained to him that the Catholic church has refused to marry non-Catholics for centuries, all without government interference. And in fact, I had to call half a dozen synagogues to find a Rabbi willing to marry me and my husband, because many (maybe even most) Rabbis won’t marry a Jew to a non-Jew, and the government certainly doesn’t insert itself in the synagogue’s business.
He says he honestly doesn’t have a personal problem with gay people, and I believe him. But the liars have gotten to him. I just hope I was able to undo as much of the damage as possible.
Nice work Mr. Serum!
What worries me is the number of people who will be confused and cast the wrong vote on the proposition. The No on Prop. 8 organization is asking people to pass out wallet cards on election day so that people understand that if you are FOR same-sex marriage you vote NO on 8. I’ve been participating in phone banks at my church where we call people and urge them to vote No on 8. This was one of my favourite calls (keep in mind that we were told to avoid arguing with people, and try to make as many calls as possible)
Me: Hello, I’m calling to ask if you are familiar with Prop. 8
Older lady: Yes and I’m voting No on 8!
Me: That’s great!
Older lady: Yes because the Bible says it’s wrong!
Me: (
Does she mean what I think she means?) OK then you be sure to vote No on 8! (hanging up quickly before I start laughing)
Since the yes on 8 people are mainly religious types, someone should explain to them that you go to hell for lying, just the same as you do for stealing.
scumbags.