Is this politics, or is this civil rights?

[figmo]

In California one of the things we'll be voting on is Proposition 8. If passed, it would add the following wording to the California State Constitution:

"Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

An identical proposition passed in 2000 but was ruled "unconstitutional" by the CA State Supreme Court because it discriminates against a segment of the population.

If it passes again, the court is likely to make the same ruling, just as the US Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled anti-flag-burning legislation as "unconstitutional."

I don't know what percentage of the California population is gay, but nonetheless, such a law would only legalize active discrimination, just as the "separate but equal" laws did years ago. What I don't understand is why the supporters of this proposition are so adamant to try to legislate discrimination which, if passed, will be overturned yet again.

Comments

[duncanmac.livejournal.com]

While I am not sure there is any biological basis for homosexuality as such, that does not excuse discrimination of any sort. Discrimination has always been a slippery slope of sorts -- and I suspect it is the not-so-thin edge of a rather neo-conservative and authoritarian wedge.

Dislike (dare I say fear?) of the stranger or alien is the basis of this kind of campaign. Hoping these feelings are amenable to reason is like hoping the Nazis would be satisfied with the German borders established by Versailles, or like hoping businesses will accept a reduction in profits when they can use money to bend and abridge the laws to their sole benefit.

[tomlemos.livejournal.com]

I have three other gay brothers.

Trust me, it's biological.

[osewalrus.livejournal.com]

Wow! And you got a knowledge of genetics too.

All I got was this lousy t-shirt.

[figmo.livejournal.com]

You mean all of you didn't have some latent desire to be part of an oppressed minority? [g,d,rlh]

Seriously, I have a greater chance of being harmed by a plate of spaghetti than by a homosexual couple.