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!

Supreme Court Justices Discuss Gay Marriage

On Wednesday, three Washington state Supreme Court justices appeared at a panel discussion that focused on Judicial campaign costs and same-sex marriage.

Cornell Clayton, a political science professor and director of the Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service, moderated the panel and discussion that took place between Chief Justice Gerry Alexander, Associate Chief Justice Charles Johnson and Justice Richard Sanders. Justices Susan Owens and James Johnson were in attendance as well, but as part of the audience.

After introductions and a brief reflection on the significance of state courts, the justices spoke about their views on the high cost of judicial elections which have become increasingly partisan.

In 2006 Alexander estimated he and Owens raised $600,000 each to support their efforts to fill the positions. Even more alarming, approximately $2.5 million was raised by special interest groups to campaign against Alexander alone.

“This could be beneficial because special interest money attracts attention to otherwise largely ignored races,” Alexander said. “On the other hand, it poses the question of whether the public wants special interests influencing the selection of the judiciary.”

“(Special interest money) is damaging to the confidence the public must have in the judiciary,” Johnson said.

Another hot topic at the panel discussion was the 2006 Andersen v. King County case.  It was then the court decided the state’s Defense of Marriage Act complied with the state Constitution, which ruled out the legalization of same-sex marriage.“We’re not all equal, we’re all different,” Sanders said.

“Same-sex marriage is unheard of in prior societies and this one, and the Constitution treats all classes and citizens equally in this respect.” Sanders said.

Alexander said, “That doesn’t mean we think gay marriage is a good thing or a bad thing. It is up to the Legislature or the people, via ballot initiative, to legalize same-sex marriage in Washington.”

Court Rules Doctors Can’t Deny Gays Treatment

The California Supreme Court ruled Monday that doctors can’t use their religious beliefs as a reason to refuse treatment to patients because doing so violates the state’s anti-discrimination law.

The unanimous decision came in the case of an Oceanside lesbian couple who are suing two doctors at a North County clinic. They claim the doctors would not perform a certain artificial insemination procedure because their strong Christian beliefs prevented them from impregnating a lesbian couple.

Read more at signonsandiego.com.

Court Backs Measure To Ban Gay Marriage

This just in. The California Supreme Court has rejected a bid to remove a measure from the November ballot which will again ban same-sex marriage. The court refused to comment on the unanimous decision but refused to hear the legal challenge, filed last month by civil rights groups. Read more