The AP has a great story on the 2,000+ strong civil rights protest in Los Angeles last night. The march ended outside a huge Mormon temple very close to where I live. I can’t believe I missed it.
Proposition 8 was the proposed amendment to the California State Constitution banning same-sex marriage. It passed… if barely. There’s plenty of blame going around from people of color (70% black, 53% Latino, whites and Asians were 49%) to gay advocates’ complacency and initial lack of funding, but the vast majority of the “YES on 8″ money came from the Mormon Church, so it seems reasonable to lay a proportional amount of blame protest at their doorstep. Also, the most common reason people gave for supporting the ban was “religion”, so thanks again to the magic underwear folks.
Let’s not forget, these are the people whose official position was that black people bore the mark of Cain and were inferior to whites… until 1979. That year, due primarily to my birth, I like to think, the Church reversed itself. In an unrelated story, that reversal saved the church’s tax exempt status.
The article is good, but it’s the slide show you don’t want to miss.
Also, the great Melissa Harris-Lacewell addresses gay rights in an Obama world with her usual insight here and there is a great (if slightly dated) panel discussion on gay marriage rights here.
November 22, 2008 at 9:49 pm
“Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”
Those 14 hate-filled, Nazi-inspired, words of prejudice and intolerance have caused a major hullabaloo in California as thousands of marchers have taken to the streets to communicate their anger
In particular, protesters have targeted the LDS Church for that church’s member financial contribution and political support for Prop. 8. Protesters are threatening to create a national firestorm as they congregate, shout, and DEMAND!
Demand what?
The right to vote in free and open elections?
That free and open elections be banned when the results do not suit their minuscule minority and its agenda?
Free speech and other rights set forth in the Bill of Rights?
An end to discrimination against gays in housing, employment, and education?
The right to enter into relationships with same sex partners openly and freely, without being harassed by straight citizens and governments?
A Constitutional ban on any religious expression which holds that homosexual behavior is sinful?
That an unwilling American public be forced to accept the notion that gay marriage is a right, the infringement of which constitutes a civil rights evil on a par with slavery and Jim Crow laws?
Instead of protesting against free religious expression, the protesters should actually take their signs and threats of violence to the headquarters of La Raza and NAACP to demand that those tax-exempt organizations convince Latinos and African-Americans that same-sex marriage is indeed a “civil rights” issue.
And why not work to convince the most liberal man ever elected to the U.S. presidency to include acceptance of gay marriage in his CHANGE agenda?
After all, President-elect Obama has been very clear: He is opposed to same-sex marriage!
November 26, 2008 at 11:43 pm
“Its amazing how one church can help change something if they all stuck together when they believe in something as SACRED and real as MARRIAGE.”
The gentleman above would like for us to have a look at the fact that the MORMONS as has been addressed in these articles were at one time or another responsible for believing that the African’s (whether American or not) believed to be that color because of a curse that was set on Cain. And so for Mr. Invalidate Prop. 8 thats all he knows.
No one should really speak about something based on very little research as the above topic…because if you were to study it out…there is a greater message and far deeper than the one you mention.
Whats wrong that the Saints of the Mormon Church are willing to contribute the funds that were needed to have the law thrown out. I don’t believe ever reading in the bible or any other book for that matter that “Same sex marriage” was seen to be something that God looked upon with a smile – Mind you it is that same God that gave abundance and built the FREE AMERICA that looks over all the world and the world look to – whether in envy or support.
I am sure if everyone learnt more about others and took to the blame on their selves – and allowed those who have done well to carry on the world we know it today would not be so full of war and anger – yet it seems the very people who believe in the “IN GOD WE TRUST” are the very ones to point and want war with those who actually uphold the AMERICA that they are so proud to call their country.
To all the Saints that stood their groung and uphold and have helped in making this law abolished in California – keep your heads up and smile because the Lord surely will bless. IF only the rest of AMERICA would see…