Hope and Change, Yes We Can! But Not All of Us Won Yesterday.

[phrigndumass]

I am proud to live in a country that is making great strides in creating an atmosphere of equality for all, a country where true democracy is still within reach and bigotry can be overcome with education, diligence and time. President-Elect Barack Obama’s message of hope and inclusion for all this year made us proud! And I am so proud to have cast my vote this year for him and for all other Democrats on my ballot.

We all won yesterday in a sense that change is possible and hope doesn’t go unnoticed. But not all of us won yesterday.

Dear California Democrats, what were you thinking?! Were you paying attention to Barack Obama’s amazing speeches this year? Were you aware of what Michelle Obama said on the anniversary of Stonewall this year?

In a state where Obama won by 25 points on a message of Hope and Change, a ballot measure granting exactly that to the gay community lost by 5 points. One-third of all Democrats in California voted for Hope and Change, yet denied it to others on the same ballot, in the same heartbeat.

Those who know me say I’m probably one of the most optimistic people they know. But I can’t help feeling like my gay brothers and sisters and I were treated hypocritically this year in California. When a long-trodden group is able to move forward, cross lines and break glass ceilings, we all celebrate the progress! And this year was all about breaking through the glass ceilings. But we were hoping you would reach back across the line on your way over it and help the rest of us across.

Hope is for everyone, after all. And equality isn’t equal until everyone stands with those among us who have yet to overcome.

I still have hope that we as Democrats can overcome this inequality together under President Barack Obama.

[racaulk]

1. Very well said, and I couldn't agree more.

K&R

[cliffordu]

2. Yep, Phrig, you are correct. K&R!

[AldebTX]

3. Great Comments.

I haven't lost hope.

[rosesaylavee]

4. But wait - have all the provisional and absentee ballots been counted this morning?

I thought it still hung in the balance as of a few hours ago? (edit to add) Prop 8 that is.

[phrigndumass]

7. Prop 8 is passing by 5 points with 99% of the vote in

Five points in California is a margin of 500,000 votes, with about 100,000 votes left to count.

[rosesaylavee]

15. Not sure if you have seen this thread yet... there is hope yet.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[stopbush]

5. And what percentage of Rs voted for Prop 8?

Why lay the blame on the Ds? Many Ds are religious people, and they are just as blinded by the lies of religion as are Rs. They vote against gay marriage because they put their religious fantasies first and their country's Constitution second.

Assuming that Ds will do the right thing just because they're Ds is silly. It's like the pundits who blame the Ds in DC for every bad thing that comes out of Congress, as if the Rs pushing the bad agenda can't be blamed for their immoral acts. "Why aren't the Ds standing up to bush?" comes the cry. One never seems to ask, "Aren't there a few Rs around with the moral and ethical spine to stand up to bush?"

Don't put all the blame on the Ds. This was a Xian initiative that proves without a doubt just how inhumane, anti-American and scummy the Christian religion is at its very core.

Prop Hate (8) was a perfect example of Christians doing the very Christian thing. They were acting like Xians to the nth degree. Jesus himself said that if you don't HATE your family and love him that you aren't WORTHY of him (and, BTW, there is NO way to translate the Greek word for "hate" used in that passage as anything but "hate." Don't get me started).

Embrace the horror of Christianity at its fundamental raison d'etre.

[phrigndumass]

9. With all due respect ...

Democrats outnumbered republicans this year in the California vote by a healthy margin. Prop 8 will not have passed without Democrats supporting it as well as republicans.

But I don't blame all Democrats, just the 30% in California who were too nearsighted to truly understand Obama's message this year.

[fight4my3sons]

6. Good afternoon, phrig

Please don't give up hope.

[phrigndumass]

10. I still have hope :)

[Beregond2]

8. I don't live in CA, but I can't help feeling depressed about this too.

As a gay man, I have been ambivalent about insisting on the word "marriage," because it gives an opening to all the religious bigots. Which is exactly what happened. I understand the legal arguement that civil unions amount to "separate but equal," which is no equality at all. I understand that civil rights should never be vulnerable to the whims of the voters; they should be basic. But I also understand the current reality, which is that there is a huge segment of the population that will use their religions to deny me my rights, if given the opportunity.

I have no doubt the fight will continue, and in the end we will win. But it is disheartening to be reminded that we remain, to a huge number of people, the last minority it is still permissable to hate.

[phrigndumass]

11. Kick

[Coexist]

12. I am so sorry about Florida, too.

so damn sorry. there was absolutely no campaign against it here, no education. Just wait until unmarried people realize that their common law arrangements are toast, too.

[happychatter]

13. don't you think that upon California Supreme Court review, this thing will be overturned?

I do

[phrigndumass]

14. Therein lies my hope :)

[Laura PourMeADrink]

16. K&R

[CADEMOCRAT7]

17. Oh Mr. P. I have much to say on this. Glad to see you here, was missing you.

I will repeat my post to the thread that announced a suit was filed at noon today.

I refuse to accept that prop 8 has passed. The count is not done. I am still in shock.

THIS IS DISCRIMINATION, BLATANT DISCRIMINATION ! It is like the fundies using "family values" as a cloak for racism. This is a cloak for homophobia. I am extremely upset, and will not admit this is happening. I want all the votes to be counted. LA and San Francisco were the last in to be counted, at least that is what I heard.
I am thankful for your post. I live in the Bay Area. No one, I mean, no one here thought this would pass. I feel like I felt when they stole the election from Gore, and when I watched the country going red...it is that same feeling.

Mr. P. this is not over ! EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL, WE STAND FOR DEMOCRACY !!!
THIS IS NOT OVER.

[gademocrat7]

18. K & R

I want equality for all.

[myrna minx]

19. I missed this yesterday. I'm sorry I didn't recommend.

I was heartbroken by the results of prop 8. Almost everyone I love is gay, so this was a devastating blow. Equal rights for all isn't a wedge issue, it's about human rights. I'm so sorry, phrig.