An Open Letter to GLBT’s Supporting McCain

“Marriage is under attack by those who are creating substitutes to marriage,” said Rep. Warde Nichols, R-Gilbert. “I think when this passes it’s going to put to bed this debate once and for all.”

Opponents of Proposition 102, however, say voters have already had their say and it’s an insult to put it on the ballot again.

Two years ago, they narrowly defeated a gay-marriage amendment, becoming the first state to do so. Twenty-seven states have constitutional bans on gay marriage.

“They chose not to change the constitution,” said Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Phoenix. “One of the reasons why they said no is because we already have a law.”

When I read this article on eastvalleytribune.com, It unleashed the dragon and I am up on my soap-box.  So, here it goes.

As much as I value diversity and freedom of choice, I also have a full understanding of how this election will change our lives (the GLBT community) for many years to come.  There are “Christian” groups raising millions (over $50 million in California alone) to take rights away from people…forever!  States that want to amend their constitutions to ban same-sex marriage, so judges can’t rule otherwise.  Arizona’s 102 and Florida’s 2 are on that list.

Now, as much I as realize those who are fighting these people have raised money too, it’s been done in defense of a right we don’t have in most states, marriage.  So, I asked these “Christian” groups (who also back Palin & McCain), how many hungry could you feed for $50 million?  How many homeless could you house for $50 million?  How many people could you send to college for $50 million dollars?  Or better yet, If Jesus had $50 million, what would he do with it?  Come on now, Christians know Jesus well to know he hates gay-marriage (and they can’t blame the Bible because Jesus didn’t write it), so they should know the answer to that question.  However, they have made the “choice” to spend tens of millions of dollars on oppression, all in the name of God.

Same sex marriage is legal in four countries: Spain, The Netherlands, Belgium, and Canada. In the U.S., 45 states have barred it.  A little off topic but worth mentioning, it is still legal in 33 states to fire someone for being gay. Then there’s the other states, who again are trying to amend their constitutions to ban it as well, so the courts can not overturn the decision. This is why McCain believes it should be left up to the states.  Now I realize, he alone won’t make that decision, but he will be likely to appoint 2 or 3 U.S. Supreme Court Justices if elected.  What do you think is going to happen? Let’s also not forget to mention that if John McCain dies, then Ms. Palin steps in. Do you think someone who still thinks it’s a “choice” and “tolerates” gay people is going to push for any legislation that provides us with equality?

Let’s put Obama in office, and let him pick those same 2 or 3 spots and see what happens. Now, I’ve heard it before, and have addressed it before, but let me repeat it.  Some criticize Obama’s lack of fully supporting gay marriage, but I’m not going to buy that point.  Any presidential candidate who would openly endorse gay-marriage would be committing political suicide.  We don’t need a martyr, we need a gay friendly president. So, WAKE UP PEOPLE!

And I know, some of you who are GLBT and support McCain may claim there are other issues (and there are, and Obama is a much better choice to handle those as well), but this is the one issue that affects all of our lives, whether you are G, L, B or T.  And if it’s not an issue for you, then be open-minded enough to realize it is for most of us, and do the right thing.

A president who wants to leave those decisions up to the states is not a supporter. It’s not that difficult to see. Obama is our friend. This election is about so much more than so many realize. It’s about our future, and not our distant future, our very real, and very near future.

Please, do the right thing for all of us in the GLBT community. Vote for Obama!

Gay Marriage Ban: Arizona’s $6.9 Mil Waste

Arizona’s constitution to ban gay marriage has built a great deal of steam.  Supporters of Proposition 102 have raised $6.9 million, 17 times the amount raised by those who oppose the ban.  Proposition 102 is a ballot proposal, which goes before voters Nov. 4, and will amend the state’s constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

Supporters are claiming the money raised demonstrates the significant and broad support against gay marriage in Arizona. Opponents claim the measure is a waste of time and money, considering the state voted down a similar measure in 2006 and gay marriage already is illegal in Arizona.

Not to state the obvious, but isn’t it grand how people will raise $6.9 million to deny equal rights?  How many hungry people would that feed?

Facts Are Facts: For LGBT McCain Bad, Obama Good

Arizona Representative Krysten Sinema worked to defeat the anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment proposal that was on the ballot in Arizona back in 2006.

John McCain is on record as supporting the proposed anti-gay marriage amendments that will be on the ballot in Arizona, California and Florida this November.

Senator Barack Obama on the other hand, is on record as opposing  these all three Propositions that would be devistating not only to the GLBT community, but to civil rights advancement in our nation.

Proposition 102 in Arizona, and Proposition 8 in California are directly aimed at preventing GLBT people from having rights as equal citizens.  Florida’s Propostition 2 not only affects gay couples, but affects all un-married citizens including the huge population of retired straight couples who reside with each other. 

Watch this video:

Dispute Over AZ Ballot Measure Escalates

Court battles over ballot initiative survival and language disputes are nothing new this election season, but Secretary of State Jan Brewer has taken the unusual step of filing a lawsuit against Attorney General Terry Goddard over proposed language to describe a referendum banning gay marriage in Arizona.

The debate centers around whether the description of Prop. 102 on the 2008 ballot should explain state law already prevents same-sex couples from getting married. Goddard said the analysis of the proposal, which seeks to amend the state Constitution to define marriage as an act between a man and woman, should include that current law forbids such unions.

But Brewer has said she doesn’t have to add the additional language, which she argued would make the proposal less clear - and she has accused Goddard of injecting political spin into the debate and overstepping his ballot language authority by writing text himself.

“The attorney general is confined in his duties to simply approve or disapprove the secretary of state’s language, yet instead he continues to draft and propose his own language, which is not among his duties under the law,” said Brewer, who filed an Aug. 23 lawsuit with the Maricopa County Superior Court.

Read more at azcapitoltimes.com.