Same Sex Marriage Isn't Everything

[SkyDaddy7]

Run time: 05:51 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy4gRLr26vU   Posted on YouTube: June 10, 2011 By YouTube Member: bigthink Views on YouTube: 16   Posted on DU: June 10, 2011 By DU Member: SkyDaddy7 Views on DU: 701

 
I really like these "Big Think" videos...If you have not checked out the the "Big Think" You Tube Channel (Link Below) I think you will enjoy many of the videos.
http://www.youtube.com/user/bigthink

As for this video I was curious what the LGBT Community here on DU thought about Human rights advocate Tim McCarthy opinion about Gay Marriage not being the most important issue to most within the LGBT community...I am straight so it is impossible for me to form an opinion on this video.

[FairOaksCA]

1. I agree with many of his points, however......

As a CA gay man (and one of the fortunate 18,000 "married" CA couples) focus on marriage was is right for CA as a state issue. In CA we have full equality in all of the other areas he mentions - housing, employment, adoption, inheritance, etc. And, CA is the second largest state and carries a lot of weight in leading issues. So, I would agree that for gay people who live in states with no protections at all, other issues are more important.

On a federal level I think EDNA and ending DOMA are both major issues for all gays. Although I'm married in the eyes of the state, I have no rights or protections at the federal level.

[SkyDaddy7]

2. Welcome to DU!!

Thanks for sharing! I may be straight but I kinda feel offended or embarrassed the country I served during wartime for openly discriminates against certain groups of people. Anyway, thanks again for helping me see through your eyes what the most pressing issues are for you.

:hi:

[johnnypneumatic]

3. he needs to do some more big thinking

It's true that not all gay people want to get married, and some may say that other issues are more important to them personally.

The real point that should be made is that gay people deserve full equal rights on all issues. Instead of fighting for one thing or another we should be fighting for a full comprehensive civil rights bill, not a bunch of little specific issue bills so that we have to fight the same fight over and over again.

The republican party is a homophobic hate group. The mormon and catholic churches, along with many protestant denominations, use the full force of their influence and money to fight lgbt rights on every issue. When they succeed in blocking same sex marriage, it isn't enough, they still fight with full force against civil unions, and as explained in his first section of discussion in the video they fought just as hard against adoption rights. They claim to care about the sanctity of marriage, but do nothing to fight against divorce or adultery, they just fight gay rights. They claim to love the gays, while fighting against education or anti-bullying legislation. They want to protect their right to persecute and abuse lgbt children, even to the point of making it illegal to even say the word "gay".

The democratic party is not innocent here either, they are spineless on fighting for gay rights most of the time. This year same sex marriage was blocked for lack of votes in Maryland and Rhode Island, even though both states legislatures in both houses are overwhelmingly democratic. And they struggle even to get any progress on civil unions. And let me just say, civil unions are an insult, they are separate and unequal...

Tim Mccarthy is wrong that fighting for the big one of gay marriage is "kicking the hornets nest" and that other fights might be easier and won't cause as much of a backlash.
That is just not true. We are getting stung with the hornets now everyday, whether we do nothing or fight for everything at once.
How can I tell the difference between a backlash and a normal everyday lash?
How is a child supposed to survive this societal hatred?
LGBT children are being abused and beaten and bullied and subjected to religious persecution from birth. All or our rights are being fought against all the time with the full force of the repuke party and religious bigots.

I disagree with Mccarthy's reasoning, and what he says in the first section proves it. The anti-gay bigots fought equally hard against gay marriage in california as they did against adoption rights in Arkansas. They always fight as hard as they can against all our rights, they want us invisible, they want us dead.
But I don't want to spend 2 hours writing a response, which is what it would take to do it right. It would be easier if I had a transcript.
Also I don't think it is impossible for a heterosexual to have an opinion on the video. Attacks on the rights of some are an attack on the rights of all. Homophobia hurts everyone. How many heterosexuals are mistaken for gay and are the victims of hate crimes? How many hetero kids in school are called faggots and pussies? And as in the example here in Arkansas, the law prevents all single people from adoption, whether hetero or lgbt.

[SkyDaddy7]

5. Thanks for your reply!

I just wanted you to know I have very strong opinions about equal rights for the LGBT Community...What I have NO WAY of forming an opinion on is what is more important to the LGBT Community same sex marriage or other important rights...As I said in my original comments. Sorry if there was any confusion.

:hi:

[Bluenorthwest]

4. First, McCarthy is an author and academic, not an advocate.

His job does not include advocating for others to others. He sits and pontificates and types. That is very different. An author who makes controversy does so for his own profit.
Tim says 'gay marriage'. The issue is marriage equality. Civil Rights, basic human rights. McCarthy is trying to get people to NOT seek equal rights. Some fucking advocate that is. He who advocates for my rights does not come to me and say 'victory lies in giving up'.
I know a few Tim types. Living in the South or another red state, single, affluent, never the type for the home life anyway. Tim: "If I ever really care about someone, I can afford lawyers and such to take care of him so what's your damage, poor people? Why don't you put a lawyer on retainer and leave the bigots alone?"
And also, this is Tim promoting Tim, which is what he does for a living, sell opinions. He is not an advocate for anything but Tim's income. The man takes money to tell people to stop seeking equal rights. What is the current rate of exchange for 40 pieces of silver?