Proposition 8 and the new religious reality

[cbayer]

Excellent read.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/guest-voices/post/proposition-8-and-the-new-religious-reality/2012/02/08/gIQAsHBUzQ_blog.html

By Ross Murray



Prop 8 was passed by voters in November of 2008, to take away the protections of marriage from gay and lesbian couples in California. Although it’s only been three and a half years, so much has changed in the way America looks at this issue since then. Seven consecutive national polls have shown that a majority of Americans now support marriage equality. But the difference goes beyond just a change in the number of people who support marriage equality - we’ve also seen a change in why they do.

In 2008, the “gays versus religion” frame was strongly entrenched in the mentality of the American public. Much of the driving force behind Prop 8, in terms of both organization and money, came from the leadership of the Roman Catholic and Mormon churches. People of faith who were personally supportive of marriage equality didn’t speak out, or felt that their support of LGBT people would be seen as being at odds with their faith.

That is no longer the case. We are in a new reality.

Since 2008, we have seen faith-based campaigns like Believe Out Loud raise up the stories of LGBT and affirming faith leaders who have decided that they cannot be silent about their faith and their belief that God created and loves the whole world, and that God’s creation includes the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.

more at link

[msongs]

1. the jesus character says love thy neighbor...why are so many xtians going against jesus? nt

[cbayer]

2. As per the article, that trend is changing.

[MarkCharles]

3. In about 2004 or so, the George Bush folks...

were putting gay rights stuff on ballots to get out the religious voters to vote for Bush, as well as anti-gay questions. Back then, it wasn't really cool to be pro-gay for lots of voters.

But 8 years has made major changes, starting with the media, Lady Gaga, etc, all the way to DADT, and actual thought about the issue of equality for gays and the entire LGBT community.

Now that we know that the majority of eligible voters ntionwide favor gay marriage, could it be that putting something like this in the forefront in November,2012 actually works IN FAVOR OF Obama and Dems in Congress?

Well, we would have to get a lot of college aged folks out to vote, an unlikely prospect, but we already know that those 18-108 favor equal rights for the GLBT folks when it comes to marriage. Problem is, the 18-38 yr olds don't vote like the 58-108 folks do. There's more of them, and less of the young folks actually showing up to vote.

If Obama could somehow get the 18-58 yr olds to show up at 90% of their numbers in the nation, get them to vote for equality on LGBT issues and vote for Dems in Congress and for Obama, such a nice dream, but so unlikely.

Tell us, what should we be doing for the next 9 months until election day? Isn't it obvious?

[cbayer]

4. Agree with your take on this.

It's a major issue for people I know, particularly for those in their 20's-40's. These people grew up with GLBT friends and family members that had come out of the closet. My kids were surrounded by GLBT people and they really don't understand the old way of thinking.

If the Obama campaign wants to mobilize this group, I agree with you that GLBT civil rights will be a platform he should push. And accessing the religious groups that are supportive really drives a wedge in this population that was an easy win for the Republicans in the past.

[darkstar3]

5. So the church is once again being led to that which is right by the nose.

Familiar story...