…and you don’t vote NO on Proposition 2:
…then it’s because you don’t vote at all, and you are willing to leave the leaders and laws that guide and rule your life up to other people. Other people that you, at times, have called stupid and infuriating in your blogs, online journals, and conversations.
…then it’s because you have somehow been convinced that it is okay to change the state constitution on a whim. Remember when you allow that to happen, the whim could just as easily work against you some day.
…then you think it’s okay to legalize discrimination against a group of your fellow citizens just because you disagree with what someone has convinced you is their “lifestyle.” Any rational person perceives that the members of no group, be it one based on gender, race, religion, vocation, or country, have a single, shared “lifestyle.”
…then you have somehow deluded yourself into believing that a minority is able to garner for itself “special rights.” Child labor laws weren’t created because children were allowed to vote against their own exploitation. Slavery didn’t end because black people declared it unconstitutional. Women didn’t get the right to vote because they woke up one day and proclaimed that they had that right. In all of these cases, it took people who were not the victims of exploitation, racism, and sexism to establish fair and equal treatment under the law.
…then you are allowing your religion to determine the fate of people who may or may not share your religious beliefs. You are, in effect, snubbing the concept of the separation of church and state, which is another of those decisions that could just as easily work against you–and your faith–some day.
…then you are allowing people like them and him, people who have done you no harm, to feel anxiety and fear and hurt about your indifference or unfairness.
If you don’t know where to vote in Texas, go here and enter your name under your county. Thank you for voting.
Well said.
Bravissimo, dear. Couldnt have said it better myself. I especially like the way you compared the issue to child labor laws, women voting, etc. I’ll use that argument in the future, I can assure you.
You bring me a sliver of comfort — Thanks.
Awesome. I spoke with my mother about Prop 2 during Rosh Hashana. She loves me unconditionally, and she accepts the relationship I share with Lindsey. She treats Lindsey as another daughter. However, she does believe marriage is between a man and a woman.
During the course of our conversation, I told her that Prop 2 is unneccessary, because Texas law already bans gay marriage. Then I explained to her all the lovely things that come with marriage, like the ability for one spouse to visit another in the hospital, and the ability for one spouse to make medical decisions for the other if the other is incapacitated. I explained to her that currently, in order for us to acheive these benefits, we spend thousands of dollars in legal fees for the appropriate papers. Then I explained the wording of Prop 2 would nullify those privately contracted legal wishes. My mother, a woman as stubborn as I, surprised me when she said, “I’ll have to give this more thought then.” Ultimately, she not only changed her mind on how she’d vote, but she and my father helped convince the board of Holocaust Museum Houston (for which she volunteers) to publicly and officially come out against it. This is only the second time in the organization’s history that it’s taken a public stance on an issue.
My final bit of activism was to send out an e-mail to a few old friends to shed light on what the proponents of Prop 2 haven’t been revealing in their ads and statements.
These things, aside from my vote, are all I can do. I hope I’ve managed to change a few minds, either directly or indirectly, and I strongly hope this proposition fails to pass.
I will defend anyone’s right to live life on their own terms, particularly in matters of religion, when they are bringing no harm to others.
This bit of legislation, no matter in what robes it cloaks itself, is clearly meant to demean and diminish people. It is wrong, cruel, and unnecessary.
I forwarded your e-mail to a few people and have received the most warming responses:
“I agree and support your stance on this issue…I only hope that the rest of Texas votes against the proposition. Love, Leah”
“You have been on my mind a lot lately in regards to this very fact. I do plan on going to vote and I appreciate your email.
Lots of Love, Trudi”
“Normally I would skip mid-term elections, but this one just bothered the hell out of me. I voted last week just so I could vote against this stupid prop. Stupid people piss me off!
-Steph”
This makes me a bit more hopeful today than yesterday.
Well said Becky.
Thanks. Unfortunately, Texas doesn’t listen.
They might eventually.