In the struggle for equality, California has been embarrassed twice now when it comes to its contribution in supporting civil rights. First, 7,001,084 morons voted yes on Proposition 8. Next, Miss California Carrie Prejean regales us with her sadly ill-informed opinion on same-sex marriage, based entirely on what her mommy and daddy told her.
Let’s put an end to the Miss California controversy. Yes, the remark was idiotic, but what do you expect? People seem to have forgotten that the Miss USA is just a family version of Playboy’s Playmate of the Year.
Let’s talk about something that really matters. Despite the fact that 7,001,084 homophobes voted in its favor, Proposition 8 must be repealed. Sure, it passed with a majority support, but there is a reason why we have a system of checks and balances.
When the California Supreme Court ruled that Proposition 22 (passed in 2000) was unconstitutional, it was because the judges understood that such a stance was illegal under not just the constitution of California but of the United States.
Of course, the religious right could not tolerate equal rights for the LGBT community. So they rallied their followers to concoct Prop 8. What followed was total civil war that was felt even here at De Anza College, where an army of students fought against a few homophobes who tried to win support with their David Duke-like charm and 15 hired thugs.
Even though Prop 8 passed, it’s the patriotic duty of every American who believes in the Constitution to continue the fight by whatever means necessary. Despite being argued by some, appeasement is not the solution.
Let’s not forget that for 89 years, segregation was legal and supported by the public until the Warren Court ruled it to be unconstitutional. There was strong resistance against desegregation, so President Dwight Eisenhower deployed the 101st Airborne to put down the little uprising in Little Rock.
There is hope that the California Supreme Court will take up a case that will challenge Prop 8 and rule it as unconstitutional. For now, we need to pass a proposition that will prevent fascists and outsiders from enacting another Prop 8-like law again.
Yet despite suggestions of taking the battle to the Supreme Court, such action has to wait. Thanks to the appointment of several of George W. Bush’s neo-con buddies, there is reason to fear that they will not only support a ban on same-sex marriage, but reintroduce the idea of “separate but equal.”
Finally, I have a personal question to ask of those who are strongly opposed to same-sex marriage and equal rights for the LGBT community. Can you come up with a better argument that doesn’t involve you saying, “The leader of my religion said being gay is wrong”? If that’s the best you have, then take a Sharpie and write “Sheep” on your forehead.
There is great confidence that the current political mode is in favor of equality for all. After all, the Democrats control both the White House and Congress. If we chose not to take advantage of this opportunity and resort to appeasing the mob of homophobes, then one should not be surprised when the Fascist Party has taken power because the “people” voted them into the government.
If appeasement and ignorance is the path our society wishes to take, then all we can do is just sit back and watch the world burn.