Another Same-Sex Marriage Ballot Initiative in California?
There is some interesting data in the exit poll on the vote on California's Proposition 8 to ban same-sex marriage, which passed 52 to 48 percent. Whites and Asians opposed the measure by 51 to 49 percent; it was supported by blacks (70 to 30 percent) and Latinos (53 to 47 percent). Most voters over 30 supported the measure; voters under 29 opposed it by 61 to 39 percent. Supporters of same-sex marriage are reportedly challenging the measure in court, hoping that the California Supreme Court will overturn this amendment to the state Constitution as it did a similar measure that was a mere statute. But that measure in 2000 passed by a vote of 61 to 39 percent. The numbers suggest that proponents of same-sex marriage would do better to put their own ballot proposition to repeal the amendment on the ballot in two or four years. Unless the young voters change their minds on the issue, same-sex marriage will have majority support in California in a few years. Virginia Postrel, a strong opponent of the proposal, is a bit more pessimistic about the timing but thinks that bringing a court case against the amendment would provoke a backlash.
Tags: California | elections | marriage | gay rights
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Reader Comments
"Choosing Homosexuality"
Ben West of Ms. is completely wrong when he states (generously, I say out of bald ignorance) that by not "choosing" homosexual acivities, one is not homosexual. Sexuality has NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with acivity!!! I do not DO gay, I AM gay! If I married a woman and remained faithful to her, had children by her, and abstained from relations with men I am still just as gay as I ever was, because sexuality has naught to do with conduct, and EVERYTHING to do with desire. Why is it always people, having never been gay themselves, nonetheless feel perfectly qualified to explain to me why I am gay, and admonish that I could give up being gay/tall/male/brunette, et. all, if I simply chose to do so???
Is America so far from God?
Is God really that distant in your minds that you believe you are in the right to take what he designed to be sacred and holy and distort it to fit your views?
How? Why? We live together peacefully not forcing our views on homosexuality. I have friends that are homosexuals and they know what I believe. I know what they believe. That doesnt change the fact that we cant cohabitate without people mocking church goers of any faith by practicing and being devout to their moral standards. It clearly states in the Bible that Homosexuality is an abomination to the Lord. If one doesnt believe the Bible then you can try and give an answer to how we came to be on this earth. Whether it be by intelligent design or evolution. I believe both needed a supreme being to happen. It doesnt make sense as to why other apes didnt evolve and we are sitting here on computers...It is sad to see that America who was once prosperous under the devout worship of our Heavenly Father. It was founded through him. It was given so people might be able to worship freely. Do no comparing between now and the civil rights movement. There is no comparison. Marriage is not a right. It is an opportunity to be bonded in the Lords eyes. And since the Lord has decreed that Homosexuality is an abomination and that adultery is an abomination. We are actually doing you a favor because not letting you get married is keeping you from committing adultery after you find out that your first offense of the Lord was wrong...does any of this make sense? I am sorry. I have nothing against homosexuals. I have my beliefs and they are to my core. My heart is heavy because of this tragedy that has never before been seen. I also give this last bit of warning.
Get off the Fences of the Temples, churches, mosques, etc Before the Lord Almighty knocks you off...
Marriage is not a right
It is a privilege, in that it may be limited by the state. There is a reason why states sponsor marriages (with tax benefits and other benefits attached by the state to married couples). The state wants to encourage marriage so that people get married, have children (future citizens aka taxpayers), and live a stable and productive life, nurturing and teaching their children to do the same. The state benefits when more people are married. These benefits to the state do not exist, or certainly not to as great an extent, outside of a traditional "one man-one woman" marriage. Loving v. Virginia was still a bad decision, because the Supreme Court should not be meddling in the affairs of the states. The spirit of the decision was correct, though, because one man and one woman were involved. Race and sexual preference are not equal measures of a person. If you are white, but you always had a tendency to "act black," would you ever achieve "blackness?" No. If you act homosexual, are you a homosexual? Yes. Likewise, a black person cannot cease to be black by "acting white." There are many reasons for that, and that's another discussion, but, no matter how you act or what you do or do not do, you cannot change your skin color. However, you can choose to be homosexual or heterosexual. If you're not practicing homosexual activities, you're not a homosexual. The point is that race and sexual preference are not on the same level, and cannot be given the same weight. You cannot equate the two when arguing this issue. They are not equal. It's that simple.
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