Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Katie bar the door...living in a conservative state...

In 2003, the State of Texas enacted a law banning gay marriage. To date, that law has not been challenged in Texas courts. Nevertheless, conservatives voiced fears that "liberal activist judges" might recognize gay unions in spite of the law. For the record, even if the law were challenged and some "liberal activist judges" did recognize gay unions, it’s unlikely that the all-Republican Texas State Supreme Court would do anything to overturn the 2003 law.

But that wasn’t enough for conservative Texans, who proceeded to draft a poorly worded constitutional amendment, Proposition 2, to "defend marriage as a vital societal institution that should not be changed" and to "guarantee that state courts won’t be able to force Texas into recognizing gay unions".

Yesterday, I voted against Proposition 2, but I was in the minority; conservative Texans voted overwhelmingly for it, approximately 70% to 30%.

Katie bar the door.

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

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's heartbreaking and revolting how many people spend so much time "protecting" the institution of marriage from people who would honor it.

Anonymous said...

I couldn't agree more. It sickens me.

Anonymous said...

My mother and I have had fights on gay marriage. I have a gay cousin so it's pretty personal to me and her. But her and I have very different views.

Anonymous said...

Pastor Martin Niemöller words pretty much say it all
Thanks for the thought provoking entry.
Hugs, Marina

Anonymous said...

thank you, and this is the point exactly. It is ok to bash gays....... if you or someone you love is not gay, but down the road essential freedoms could disappear and the ones on this bandwagon will be so surprised when they find just what intolerance has bred.
I was sad to hear this when I woke.
judi

Anonymous said...

I love (not) this relatively new concept of "activist judges." This means that we are not to have judges that interpret law in any way that questions or defeats the agenda of the religious right. This IS frightening. History says the tide will turn; but it can't happen soon enough for me. Lisa :-]

Anonymous said...

I agree with you, Lisa. We live in frightening times, the moreso because so many people seem to be oblivious to what is going on here. The erosion of civil rights is alarming. This morning at Starbucks I talked with a couple of friends about leaving Texas, even leaving the country...easier said than done, as I have family here that I care about...but one friend is considering moving to Canada. What a strange place America has become.

Anonymous said...

Very sad...
V

Anonymous said...

GAY MARRIAGE IS LEGAL IN MASSACHUSETTS.

FUNNY. THE COMMONWEALTH HASN'T SUNK INTO THE SEA. LIFE HASN'T CHANGED MUCH

Anonymous said...

Isn't it funny how nothing is real until it applies to us? It's so easy to forget this simple truth. Thank you for reminding us.
Melissa

Anonymous said...

Here in Massachusetts, all Hell is breaking loose. Normal folks are lined up around the block to file for divorce because their marriages are now meaningless. Priests are marrying altar boys, dairy farmers are marrying cows, and guys in black leather are marrying Harley Davidsons. Cambridge has declared non-gay marriage illegal, and the state capitol is being moved from Boston to Provincetown. The American flag is fading to pink, white, and teal.

Be thankful that you have these visionaries protecting your morals down there in Texas. Without their foresight, you'd have men down there walking around in leather chaps and tooled boots, dancing the two-step.