Thank you, straight DUers--from a gay guy.

[David__77]

I have been worried about this anti-marriage rights amendment for months now. I was worried that the recent events would cause a very serious anti-gay backlash that would include acts of violence and a level of bigoted rhetoric that would make Fred "God Hates Fags" Phelps seem mainstream.

I'm proud that the large majority of posters on DU of all orientations have stood up for what's right and opposed this amendment in the most strong terms, seeing it for what it is. I'm so glad that this is the concern rather than worrying about pandering to bigotry. The LGBT community cannot do this alone--it's our straight friends that will help us gain equality.

I think some right-wingers are a little surprised that there's been so much opposition expressed to this amendment and that there's little apprarent political gain for the rightists so far. Progressive-minded people are not allowing this to be a defensive fight where we allow the right to frame the terms of the debate.

So, yes, this has taken an emotional toll of sorts--but the flip side is that I'm optimistic about the possibilities and the victories that will certainly lie ahead. That question is that we need them sooner rather than later.

Once again, thank you to all for keeping the pressure on the bigots and supporting equal rights.

[Blue-Jay]

1. That's very nice!

Thank you too, David. Without the GLBT members at DU, I'd be considerably stupider on the issues that you rightfully hold so dear.

[Rockholm]

2. Another Gay Guy Says "Thank You" To Straight DUers

As they say, the Left is Right.

[Sandpiper]

3. You're welcome

Now, if only some of our candidates would get a little steel in their spine on the issue.

[Rainbowreflect]

4. You are welcome.

My belief is it does not matter if you are male, female, black, white, straight or gay. Right is right & wrong is wrong and if you don't stand up for the rights of everyone you don't really stand up for anyone's rights.

[LastKnight]

5. theres very few things i hate in this world...

and bigots make the list, ranking quite high too.

-LK

[madmax]

6. We are all in this together

First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.


Pastor Martin Niemöller

[Blue_State_Elitist]

7. You are Welcome

I see no reason to not give gays the same rights as straight people. There is nothing wrong with being gay, everyone should see that. I'll continue to aruge with the right wing bigots.

[carolinayellowdog]

8. Agree 100%

Not just that the support is appreciated, but the thoughtful consideration of the issue. I've learned from this discussion at least as much from straight DUers as from fellow queers.

[VOX]

9. Easy to do, David 77!

My older brother is gay and I love him and his partner like crazy. This is just to say that LGBT issues are close to home.

Rest assured that I will fight bigotry at any turn.

Best to you --:toast:

[TheMightyFavog]

10. your welcome!

Besides, DU woulnd't be the same without you people.

[waterman]

11. Thanks for the kind words. It should be an all-inclusive world we're in

but sometimes there has to be a fight to make it that way.

[Sequoia]

12. You bet, because

the hatered that's coming out against gay marriage is all about sex and that's the one thing that bothers these fundies more than anything. They can't see the humane side of anything. How would they like it if someone they loved was in the hospital and couldn't see them because they weren't in the family. This fight has just begun and those hateful people will get nastier as time goes by. We all have to make sure the marriage clause between a man and woman doesn't get into our Constitution.

[Jack_Dawson]

13. I love the Gays!

I've never understood what everyone's problem is. The more dudes that want to pair off, the better for me! :toast:

Plus, when I was bartending, they were excellent tippers...

And seriously, Bush is a jackass who is only trying to distract us from his abysmal record.

[AlinPA]

14. I support you. The LGBT community is getting a raw deal.

Yes, polls show people don't "support" "gay marriages", but everywhere I go (I'm from PA and travel in OH, IL, NJ, NY) people stand behind your equal rights, even if they are being denied by the rightwing -bible thumping -christian coalition -republican -hate mongering - Bush* administration slime.

[CO Liberal]

15. I've Been Thinking About By Ex-Wife A Lot Lately

She came out a few years after our divorce. The way she was treated by society because she was a lesbian contributed to her alcohol abuse - but she was clean and sober for at least ten years before heart and kidney failure ended her life at 46.

A few years earlier, she and her partner were joined in a union ceremony, which my present wife and I atended - in fact, I DJ'ed their reception. I never saw Michelle happier than she was that day. And I know if she were alive today, she'd be fighing for gay marriage rights, too.

You're not alone, David. There are a lot of us behind you.

[absyntheNsugar]

16. Hey brother, we're altogether here!

I'm straight and I think Newsom is a hero of John Brown proportions.

History will show him alongside Lincoln, FDR and Jefferson IMHO. Doing this took (1) cajones, (2) more cajones, and (3) a serious-assed pair of cajones. If he lives long enough, I can't wait to see him elected Governor of our great state.

But I digress....I was elated when I heard about the marriages being done in SF. It isnt a victory just for the GLBT population, but a victory for civil rights everywhere.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

17. Thank you, David__77...

and all who stand for civil rights and equality for every man and woman. You inspire me. :toast:

[matcom]

18. you, my brother are VERY welcome!

and i for one am PROUD to call you my DU friend.

i will fight every turn for your civil rights.

thank YOU for having the courage to be you.

:hi:

[arwalden]

19. Yeah! What David Said! (I Doubt I Could Have Said It Better.)

-- Allen

PS, Thanks David.

[blondeatlast]

20. You're very welcome. I only wish I could do even

more than I already am.

I LOVE weddings. Period.

[Jack_Dawson]

28. Kick!

:kick:

[Mountainman]

21. You're welcome and I am also supporting gay family members

I hurts me a lot when I hear all the hate and ignorance out there because it is directed also to some of my family. I bet that most all of us have gay friends or family or co-workers who we feel very close to whether we know they are gay or not. This intolerance not only hurts them but it hurts us also.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

22. No thanks necessary...

its a fight we all have a stake in. Equal rights are for everybody, not just for some fortunate few.

[Skittles]

23. SOLIDARITY WITH OUR GAY AND LESBIAN BROTHERS & SISTERS

YES INDEED !!!

[Kamika]

24. read this.. please

I used to be anti gay marriage.

I was totaly pro civil unions with all rights that married couples get but not marriage since imo religion states that it is between a man and a woman.

But when Bush proposed this amenmdent I changed..

who the hell is he or any goverment to tell people who they can marry??

In my new opinion ANY two consenting adult persons who love eachother should be able to marry.. f*ck Bush and his talibanisation of Usa


/Sue

Christian and straight

Edit: You'd think with trillion dollar deficit our "president" would have other things to worry about??

Maybe the reason families in the US are fucked up at the moment arent because gays and lesbians marry.. maybe it is because people are dead scared they will lose their JOBS!!!

/Hug David

[MaineDem]

25. You're welcome!

We have to stand together on this.

Bush is so far off base with this. He's only pandering to his right wing core that he's been losing lately.

Gay people deserve to be happy and enjoy all the rights any citizen is entitled to. We're fighting with you.

[Interrobang]

26. Human rights are human rights.

*Nobody* should be second-class citizens, and that's exactly what this proposed "Hate Amendment" is all about -- making LGTB people into second-class citizens.

I just wish I had better tools to help you folks with, but I think the majority of people's reactions should probably be about the same as they were here -- "Oh, that's nice, what's for breakfast?"...or at least they would be if the hatemongers didn't keep stirring the shit...

[CPschem]

27. we're all in this together..

fighting bigotry is everyone's responsibility.

[Nihil]

29. Thank you too!

To you David and to many (indeed most) in the DU community.

Many of my views have turned completely around since I was a kid,
views on religion, sex, politics, race, poverty, loads of subjects.

The biggest reason for these turnarounds has been the tolerance,
friendliness and willingness to discuss the subject in a pleasant
(though often controversial) way by people on both "sides" of a
particular difference. This is not education decreed by law (which
has a tendency to get my back up, even now) but education in the
truest form, delivered in such a manner that I *want* to learn,
to grow and to pass on that knowledge in turn.

The DU forums can be a place for emotive arguments, for surprising
amounts of bitterness & hatred and for close-minded ignorance.
The fact that they can also be a place for rational discussion, for
friendly education and for fascinating enlightenment is a far more
worthy tribute to the hard work, time and effort that so many people
here contribute.

Thanks again, to you all.

Nihil

[JackDragna]

30. No problem, buddy.

Pretty much all of us here have no use for the anal-retentive fuckwits who give gays a hard time. If people want to be opposed to homosexuality on religious or moral grounds and are willing to defend their claims, fine with me. I cannot stand, however, anyone who would support amending the bloody Constitution into something that discriminates, or, for that matter, not let gays enjoy the same benefits as married hetero couples.