A lot of younger LGBT folks are kind of dismissive of old-fashioned identity politics, and specifically reject labels about their sexual orientation. I understand it, but I'm not there.
I'll be totally ready for the post-gay world when I actually have equal rights under the law. Until then, I'm intending to fight as a lesbian to not be relegated to the cheap seats in the theater of American law. I'm just saying.
So, on that front, there's amazing news that broke just a few minutes ago: The California State Supreme Court has overturned state laws prohibiting same sex marriage.
The moment's joy I felt at that news, and I shouldn't underestimate its importance, was blown to hell by the realization that, assuming all its signatures check out, there's a well-funded ballot initiative amending the state constitution to ban marriage equality for lesbians and gay men in California.
Which would make California the 28th state to adopt such an amendment. Which means that in the majority of the states in the country, there are laws on the books that explicitly deny me the rights that heterosexual Americans have, and in only one state -- Massachussetts -- would I have that right, even though no other state, nor the federal government will recognize it so you know... not so much, even there.
And the idea of having my civil rights and equality under the law put up for a VOTE makes me want to tear the skin off my body with my fingernails and throw bricks through windows.
What, me, bitter?
But seriously, I'm trying to be happy. I swear it.
I'm a bit young, so the civil rights movement of the 60's was more my mother's generation than mine. I do know that what I have is due to a lot of people suffering and fighting for it. Even dying for it. Seems that every 30 years or so, someone's having to fight for what should be god-given rights (pick your terminology). I guess I see it as a step, and hopefully the biggest of many.
That said, it made me happy seeing the people outside the courthouse cheering and crying. I heard one woman calling her partner (I hope it was her partner!) and asking "Will you marry me?" And of course my daughter called and crowed that she could get married now...then informed me that she was doing it in Hawaii...someday...lol
Posted by: Red | 16 May 2008 at 02:36 AM
Christie, I hear you. This is similar to my case for why I am not ready for a post-feminist world.
Posted by: Barbara Saunders | 19 May 2008 at 06:56 PM