"It takes no compromising to give people their rights. It takes no money to respect the individual. It takes no survey to remove repressions." - Harvey Milk
I'm sad to write that I'm truly disappointed with my country on this day. This day, which started out so promisingly with the announcement that President Obama had selected a liberal Hispanic woman, Judge Sonia Sotomayor, to be the next US Supreme Court Justice was tainted by the damnable decision of the California State Supreme Court to uphold Proposition 8, which defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman and thus denies legal recognition and protection to same sex unions.
I have to admit that I've missed living in a so-called "blue state" for the past couple of years. California, which I used to think was so much more liberal, so much more enlightened than some of the so-called "bible-belt" states has proven itself to be just as ignorant, just as conservative and perhaps even more hypocritical than the red states. The liberal west coast loves gays in the entertainment and fashion industry, just not enough to extend them the same rights as straights.
I found my own identity and consciousness as a bisexual woman around the same age as I found my identity as a Chicana and I've never had to think twice about defending the rights of my gay, lesbian and transgender friends to enjoy the same freedoms and protections I enjoyed. It's sad that even as President Obama makes one giant step forward and leads our country towards a brighter future (yes, I'll admit that I was wrong about him - he makes me proud and happy to eat my own words), narrow minded bigots beholden to the social conservative Neanderthal constituency insist on dragging us two steps backwards.
Shame on you, cowardly Justices of the California State Supreme Court. My fellow Californians, I urge you to take to the streets and let your voices be heard! In the words of Harvey Milk, hope will never be silent!
3 comments:
when i saw 10+ squad cars of sheriffs at about 5:30pm today in west hollywood, i wanted to be at san vincente and santa monica to protest with other people that feel equal rights for all. I didn't go, my daughter said, we have to work tomorrow early. They were ready for the marchers on Hollywood and Highland as well. I am embarrassed to live in California. I thought w were a liberal state, but i know we are not. Today too, the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor was causing an uproar in Washington. Seriously - What kind of dope are these people on? Why can't two same sex people be allowed to marry? Why can a Latina Woman Judge be nominated and it not cause a roar.
WHY people have we not gotten past this shite?
God Bless you Alice for this blog, I am truly grateful for your voice in this beautifully written blog. Thank You!
I feel your inspiration and pain. I am a young Chicano male who was proud of having a Latin American Hertiage. I come from a history of women and struggle. I come from a single parent back ground, listening to Rap music before punk rock changed my life.
My mother was president of MECHA @ USC 1972 and went on to be a lawyer, a great one @ that. Like Obama before her, Sonia Sotomayor is living the American dream for struggling women everwhere. Hard working women and to be mentioned with the highest court in all the world. That is a different world. This is a statement to all women all over the world to be proud and know you too can make it, (i.e. Alice Bag) it was a great for that.
However, the day did not come as wished for many same sex couples and partners wishing they too can live in a just and rightious world, and live the American dream. I know that the strrugle is never over and the will of the people will be heard. (If not today, tomorrow, but someday.)
I tell people that since we elected an African American to the highest office in the world, so too the first woman and first gay and lesbian president in American history. ITS TRUE ITS DAMN TRUE.
P.S. SEE YOU @ VEX REUNION.
ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE:)
JOHN PAUL VERA
I used to love it here in California. Maybe I will move to Canada or something. :(
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