From another blog .... Prop 8

[ronnykmarshall]

I've been volunteering at the No on 8 phone banks. When I asked friends to join me, I was told "Sorry, I don't have the time."

When I asked friends to join me as a counter demonstrator at a Yes on Proposition 8 rally (I held a sign that said "Jesus would vote No on 8"), my straight friends and my lesbian friends stepped up to the plate. My gay friends said "Can't do it. I have brunch plans." or "Sorry, that's a Sunday and I'll be sleeping in."

When I stood in front of the bars in West Hollywood on a Saturday night attempting to recruit people (primarily gay men) to volunteer for No on 8 phone banks, I was met with total and complete apathy. When I asked for donations from those people, who I might point out were wearing $200 jeans and heading into bars where mixed drinks go for $10 a pop, I was told "Sorry. I can't donate." (Over a 2.5 hour shift in which I talked to dozens of people, I got one person to volunteer and managed to collect a measly $50 from one guy and $20 from another guy.)

If Proposition 8 passes, it won't be the fault of Diane Feinstein or Barbara Boxer or Arnold Schwarzenegger or the Mormon Church or other religious fundamentalists or (supposed) mismanagement of the No on 8 campaign. It will be the fault of the gay community which put more value on hitting the bars, going to the gym, brunching with friends, sleeping in on a Sunday morning and spending money on designer clothes/top-shelf liquor/cover charges at cheesy bars than on banding together and sacrificing some pleasures and comforts for the longer term goal of insuring that every GLBT person in this country will eventually have equality under the law.

If Prop 8 passes and the gay community wants to know who was really to blame, we'll only have to look in the mirror.

[GodlessBiker]

1. Do you really think that it will be the fault of the gay community if Prop 8 passes?

In your heart of hearts, you really think that? The Mormon Church will have nothing to do with it?

[ronnykmarshall]

2. dupe....

[ronnykmarshall]

3. dupe again ...

[ronnykmarshall]

4. I didn't write it.

But I think the writer makes a HUGE valid point about the half ass support from many gay men on this.

I even asked my best friend to donate a few bucks and he couldn't. Yet he can go out and throw down a shit load of money on cocktails and dinner.

The majoriy of donation to No on 8 are NOT from gays.

[beaglelover]

5. I don't like people who generalize!

I'm gay and I donated to No on Prop 8. So I don't like the person who wrote that generalizing like that.

Granted, my partner and I don't go out much in Weho anymore, we're more the Silverlake crowd nowadays, but if I was asked to give more money by a volunteer, you bet I would.

Also, think about it, the guys who go out in Weho are primarily under 30. I'm not sure that this age group really gives a damn about gay marriage.

[ronnykmarshall]

7. Uh ...... that was from his own experiences.

I agree with him. And yeah when I was living in WeHo and when I lived in the Castro in SF ..... I would go out ... BUT I sure as fuck gave a damn about politics.

Also, think about it, the guys who go out in Weho are primarily under 30. I'm not sure that this age group really gives a damn about gay marriage.

Talk about generalizing.

[Chovexani]

6. This whole thing reminds me of the old Steps skits on Kids in the Hall

When Scott Thompson and Dave Foley were the dumb twinks and I think it was Kevin McDonald was the one trying to get them involved in stuff?

It's sad. And I hope we can still pull it out. I just gave a couple more of my very limited bucks today to No on 8.

[ronnykmarshall]

8. I hope so too.

I'm just not real happy with the way the No no 8 camp is running.

[Duncan Grant]

9. Love you, hate the message.

Gay men are not to blame if Prop. 8 passes and I don't appreciate the sentiment of the blogger. I hate reading that sort of internalized homophobic crap where we have nothing but contempt for one another.

Not helpful, imho.

[Siyahamba]

10. It is very sad

How many of those who can't be bothered to volunteer or donate won't bother to vote, either?