To African Americans and Mormons and others who feel

[cboy4]

they're being blamed for Proposition 8 in California -- even though they've been steadfast supporters of the LGBT community, and opponents of 8 .. I wanted to say I'm sorry if you've been hurting. I know some of you have.

A lot of things have been said since election day and the devastating results that showed a majority of the public stripping away the civil rights of a minority group. What a crushing blow it's been.

But not all of the charges have been fair. I've calmed down a bit. I've read a lot, and most importantly, I've spoken to community leaders and friends.

African Americans were really hammered with ridicule over a CNN exit poll that indicated 70 percent of those who went to the polls, voted FOR Prop 8. The accusation was Obama brought African Americans out in amazing numbers, and thus that doomed gay people.

The fact is had it not been for help of black voters, the data indicates Obama would not have probably won, and thus be in a position to pick judges that will theoretically and hopefully benefit all of us .. especially those who need justices to uphold civil liberties that the current group would without question rule against.

I especially can't imagine how sad some black gay people were/are that African Americans have been the focus of so much blame. Actually I do know. They've been crushed.

When in fact, the African American leadership (not talking church people), but leaders have been in our corner from the start. All you have to do is look at California's African American Speaker Karen Bass.

And everyone knows what a champion of gay equal rights that wonderful woman Coretta Scott King preached to her final breath.

I think it's clear the No on 8 side, albeit despite despicably false robo call inferences that Obama supported 8 (he did not) -- did not do enough outreach in the black community. We needed to do more.

As for the Mormons. I have a number of gay Mormon friends. And I also know not every Mormon agreed with Prop 8 and certainly did not donate to 8.

I read a story in the Sacramento Bee about a Mormon pediatrician who actually donated to the No on 8 campaign. And there have been others.

I think too much anger and blame are being directed toward African American and some Mormon individuals, and it's pointless. Now the Mormon Church, the Catholic Church, some of the African American Baptist Churches .. that's a different story.

But I've been blinded by my anger and I feel bad lashing out at everyone, without knowing the person and his or her's position.

I'm still furious, but I've decided to champion my anger toward doing everything I can to help make sure 8 is overturned by the California Supreme Court.

This may not make some of my GLBT DU community friends, whom I cherish, particularly happy because they may feel I'm softening my stance .. that I'm backing down.

But I'm not. I don't forgive the African Americans and Mormons who voted to take away my rights, and thus rob me of the happiness I should have felt on that Wednesday morning I woke up with Obama as president.

But I also know white people and others were just as responsible. It was a group effort to rob me.

However, now I'm on a quest to stop blaming and work my butt off to ultimately have the last laugh of joy.

And the civil, equal rights every human being in this county deserves. :)

[glowing]

1. An issue such as this should never be put to a vote.

Could you imagine if civil rights issues were put to a vote.. In the south, they would still vote to take away minority rights. This is an issue that needs to go thru a court...A court looks at the constitution and looks at based on law, not feelings or religion or whatever. I hope when we have some better supreme court justices, this issue is looked at, and in ALL of our states, gay marriage is legalized.

[cboy4]

2. Yes glowing .. the ban on interracial marriage was alive

and well in a third of the country in 1967.

Of course, it took the Supreme Court in Loving v Virginia to overturn that.

There's no telling what a popular vote on civil rights issues in the 60's would have amounted to.

I cringe thinking about it, and I wasn't even around back then.

[Karenina]

4. That central issue MUST be addressed by the court!

[Karenina]

3. . .

[Karenina]

5. Sunday kick!

:kick:

[marmar]

6. Thank you cboy.....I look forward to the day when the eternal mindf**k known as organized religion..

.... loses its ability to impact any vote.

[distantearlywarning]

7. Thanks for saying this.

I have two very close Mormon friends who are unequivocably against Prop 8 and other legislation like it. One of them called the church offices multiple times to express their displeasure and disagreement with the church's stance. The other attended a anti-Prop 8 rally with my husband and I a few weeks ago (and actually, he regularly attends protest rallies relating to civil rights, writes his representatives about stuff and so forth - he's an extremely good citizen in that regard).

I'm guessing that's more action than quite a few non-Mormons at DU took about this issue.

Anyway, my point is that stereotyping Mormons or AA's or anyone else is just as bad as other people stereotyping gays. You just can never tell what any individual person is doing or thinking about stuff.

[Karenina]

8. You know by my kicks

that this DUer deeply appreciates your efforts. Thank you, cboy4! :hug:

[cboy4]

9. You are the best Karenina!!

Thanks a ton for kicking my, umm, confession. :)

:hug:

I won't lie .. I kinda hoped more people had acknowledged my apology, because I debated for a week whether to write it.

But that's okay. I don't really need recognition.

It's nice to see that quite a few people read it, even though they didn't respond I guess.

It's rewarding to just get things off my chest on DU, and in person with friends and colleagues.

Thanks my friend. :bounce: