Anothor Victory.
yezar
Zepari
Re: Anothor Victory.
I'm so happy that this ruling has been made and that our immigration policy is a little less evil now. I've heard of too many cases where gay men and women are sent back to their country of origin with a death sentance over their head simply because they want to be themselves. For some people, hiding their sexuality is like trying to hide an elephant under an umbrella, and even if they could, why should they have to for the rest of their lives?
I feel a little prouder to be British today and I hope that everyone who just wants to be themselves, anywhere in the world, can do so one day soon.
I feel a little prouder to be British today and I hope that everyone who just wants to be themselves, anywhere in the world, can do so one day soon.
Pete_jhS
Propecius
Re: Anothor Victory.
Indeed. How great to have some acknowledgment that expressing love is a basic need, and repressing those feelings is inhumane.
Such a basic thing, yet so difficult for the privileged majority to understand. It's really a shame that the "empathy" option apparently doesn't come standard on the human model.
Such a basic thing, yet so difficult for the privileged majority to understand. It's really a shame that the "empathy" option apparently doesn't come standard on the human model.
CapnBranFlakes
Propecius
Re: Anothor Victory.
The following tags have no closing tag: u
Some good news in the U.S., too. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100708/ap_on_re_us/us_gay_marriage_benefits
My favorite part:
"Congress undertook this classification for the one purpose that lies entirely outside of legislative bounds, to disadvantage a group of which it disapproves. And such a classification the Constitution clearly will not permit," Tauro wrote.
Jerran
Re: Anothor Victory.
Zepari wrote:
Yeah, that's the thing here in the US, too. I don't know about the history of racial relations in Britain, but here in the US, we have a long history of denying civil rights for intrinsic, immutable properties, such as race, and we're trying to put sexuality and sexual identity into that same category. Many people, especially those who are of minority races, say that it's not a just classification, that they have to look black or latino or Asian everyday of their lives, while sexuality is something they think can be hidden. There's also not consensus within our society that sexuality is something inborn like race. Many opponents of our rights say it's a choice. No one in the media ever confronts them about that and asks them when they chose to be straight. Of course, the ones who squawk the loudest about it are the ones who get caught with male hookers in the bathroom of an airport, so if they were asked when they chose to be straight, they'd be in a quandary about their answer.
For some people, hiding their sexuality is like trying to hide an elephant under an umbrella, and even if they could, why should they have to for the rest of their lives?
Yeah, that's the thing here in the US, too. I don't know about the history of racial relations in Britain, but here in the US, we have a long history of denying civil rights for intrinsic, immutable properties, such as race, and we're trying to put sexuality and sexual identity into that same category. Many people, especially those who are of minority races, say that it's not a just classification, that they have to look black or latino or Asian everyday of their lives, while sexuality is something they think can be hidden. There's also not consensus within our society that sexuality is something inborn like race. Many opponents of our rights say it's a choice. No one in the media ever confronts them about that and asks them when they chose to be straight. Of course, the ones who squawk the loudest about it are the ones who get caught with male hookers in the bathroom of an airport, so if they were asked when they chose to be straight, they'd be in a quandary about their answer.
Nikku
Re: Anothor Victory.
Yezar wrote:
A great sign that the judiciary haven't gone totally mad. Hopefully the home office will pay attention and stop trying to filter out gay refugees.
Pleased as I am that Lord Hope came to this decision though, his comment that gay men should be free to enjoy cocktails and Kylie concerts was just begging to be taken out of context and led to some pretty savage reporting in the right-wing press. I know he was specific about it being a silly stereotype, but I just wish he'd been more careful as it'd have forced the Mail, the Express etc to publish the stories in a more positive manner or reveal their blatant homophobia-pandering.
A great sign that the judiciary haven't gone totally mad. Hopefully the home office will pay attention and stop trying to filter out gay refugees.
Pleased as I am that Lord Hope came to this decision though, his comment that gay men should be free to enjoy cocktails and Kylie concerts was just begging to be taken out of context and led to some pretty savage reporting in the right-wing press. I know he was specific about it being a silly stereotype, but I just wish he'd been more careful as it'd have forced the Mail, the Express etc to publish the stories in a more positive manner or reveal their blatant homophobia-pandering.
Seannewboy
Re: Anothor Victory.
Another:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gftV6RnfBC8iPPWGM0SGQeNLiC6QD9GVIC3G0
Washington D.C. wont violate local law to enact Doma type ruling in district.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gftV6RnfBC8iPPWGM0SGQeNLiC6QD9GVIC3G0
Washington D.C. wont violate local law to enact Doma type ruling in district.
Propecius
Re: Anothor Victory.
Neilston wrote:
Agreed. But it does seem the tide is turning our way. I mean, come on, even Argentina has gay marriage now. How embarrassing is it that the U.S. is lagging behind machismo-based cultures on gay issues. That's tantamount to lagging behind arab nations on women's rights, or Jack in the Box for food quality.
(Although I do occasionally crave their unlike-anyone-else's tacos....)
Just remember, two steps forward, one step back.
Which is a nice way of saying, WONDERFUL NEWS, but don't let your guard down.
Agreed. But it does seem the tide is turning our way. I mean, come on, even Argentina has gay marriage now. How embarrassing is it that the U.S. is lagging behind machismo-based cultures on gay issues. That's tantamount to lagging behind arab nations on women's rights, or Jack in the Box for food quality.
(Although I do occasionally crave their unlike-anyone-else's tacos....)
Gettorix
Re: Anothor Victory.
How embarrassing is it that the U.S. is lagging behind
I agree we are way behind some other countries, though Uganda makes us look positively Utopian...
One of the major impacts though of the recent court rulings on DOMA is that the federal government has no authority to define marriage. At all. Which means it's a state-by-state battle. So 3 down, 47 to go! (I think it's 3 states that have full marriage equality.)
Does anyone else find it disturbing that California is less progressive on this issue than Iowa?
We have "Domestic Partnerships" here in Nevada, which I accept as a "Separate but Equal" status filling in until we can get it right for good.
-James
Sincarino
Re: Anothor Victory.
Gettorix wrote:
For me, being a long time resident of this bankrupt state, I'm more frustrated than disturbed. I partly blame religion. Harvest Crusade Ministries, the Seventh Day Adventists Conference, and Rick Warren's Saddleback Church (just to name a few) are headquartered in California and have significant influence over not just state Republicans but elected Democrats from swing districts.
Also keep in mind that California is one of the larger states in the country. Although it has sizable and familiar urban centers (Los Angeles,San Francisco, San Diego for example, which consistently help Feinstein and Boxer get re-elected to the U.S. Senate, thank goodness)suburban and rural communities make up most of the state; people in such communities tend to be center-right, politically.
And let's not forget that Reagan, Nixon and Buchanan were/are Californians :P
Does anyone else find it disturbing that California is less progressive on this issue than Iowa?
-James
For me, being a long time resident of this bankrupt state, I'm more frustrated than disturbed. I partly blame religion. Harvest Crusade Ministries, the Seventh Day Adventists Conference, and Rick Warren's Saddleback Church (just to name a few) are headquartered in California and have significant influence over not just state Republicans but elected Democrats from swing districts.
Also keep in mind that California is one of the larger states in the country. Although it has sizable and familiar urban centers (Los Angeles,San Francisco, San Diego for example, which consistently help Feinstein and Boxer get re-elected to the U.S. Senate, thank goodness)suburban and rural communities make up most of the state; people in such communities tend to be center-right, politically.
And let's not forget that Reagan, Nixon and Buchanan were/are Californians :P
staticvelocity
Re: Anothor Victory.
The biggest loss the state of California suffered for civil rights, in my opinion, was when we lost silicon valley... politicians and power companies schemed Davis out of office, Schwarzenegger came in, and nobody did anything to try to retain our high-end business sector. When they left, we lost most of our wealthy-yet-social-minded voters.
Also, the lack of cross-minority support is astounding! Being bi-racial, I am most irritated when I am discriminated against by a well dressed minority! WTF?!? I live in an urban-conservative climate of Cali, and there are way too many people here that vote against civil rights and claim they love their families only to whore themselves at truck stops. Hypocrits!
Also, the lack of cross-minority support is astounding! Being bi-racial, I am most irritated when I am discriminated against by a well dressed minority! WTF?!? I live in an urban-conservative climate of Cali, and there are way too many people here that vote against civil rights and claim they love their families only to whore themselves at truck stops. Hypocrits!
Jerran
Re: Anothor Victory.
Sincarino wrote:
I live in Utah, so don't get me started on the role that religion plays in politics. That being said, I'm curious as to the politics in Colorado, considering that you have such powerful religious organizations as Focus on the Family headquartered there.
Gettorix wrote:
Does anyone else find it disturbing that California is less progressive on this issue than Iowa?
-James
For me, being a long time resident of this bankrupt state, I'm more frustrated than disturbed. I partly blame religion. Harvest Crusade Ministries, the Seventh Day Adventists Conference, and Rick Warren's Saddleback Church (just to name a few) are headquartered in California and have significant influence over not just state Republicans but elected Democrats from swing districts.
I live in Utah, so don't get me started on the role that religion plays in politics. That being said, I'm curious as to the politics in Colorado, considering that you have such powerful religious organizations as Focus on the Family headquartered there.
Jerran
Re: Anothor Victory.
staticvelocity wrote:
Though I agree that the whole Gray Davis thing was a crock, the blame for the lack of those technology companies is just simple economics. California priced itself out of competitiveness. All you have to do is look at the property values before the collapse of the housing market. Notwithstanding the outflux of technology companies to cheaper countries like China and India, CA is by far the most expensive place in just this country. I work for a joint venture in Utah between two of the largest technology companies in the world, and the only reason why this facility is even here is because of cheap land and tax incentives. That and one of the two companies originally started the construction, but ended up not being able to do it alone, so it was mothballed for several years before the other partner stepped in with money. It was far cheaper to move people here than it would have been to build something in CA and then move people there. The cost of living is just so much lower.
As for your other comment about minorities working against civil rights, I too am surprised when that happens. From my limited observations, though, I think it's just human nature. When you get into an exclusive club, humans, no matter their race, gender, or whatever have a tendency to want to keep it exclusive. I don't know if it's a payback thing where they're saying that this was done to them so they want to do it to others or if they truly believe that letting others in will dilute what they have, as the argument against gay marriage often goes. It's sad, but I think there is a very xenophobic quality to human nature that abhors "the other." We all have it to some degree. It's just that most of us can control that xenophobia with rationality.
The biggest loss the state of California suffered for civil rights, in my opinion, was when we lost silicon valley... politicians and power companies schemed Davis out of office, Schwarzenegger came in, and nobody did anything to try to retain our high-end business sector. When they left, we lost most of our wealthy-yet-social-minded voters.
Also, the lack of cross-minority support is astounding! Being bi-racial, I am most irritated when I am discriminated against by a well dressed minority! WTF?!? I live in an urban-conservative climate of Cali, and there are way too many people here that vote against civil rights and claim they love their families only to whore themselves at truck stops. Hypocrits!
Though I agree that the whole Gray Davis thing was a crock, the blame for the lack of those technology companies is just simple economics. California priced itself out of competitiveness. All you have to do is look at the property values before the collapse of the housing market. Notwithstanding the outflux of technology companies to cheaper countries like China and India, CA is by far the most expensive place in just this country. I work for a joint venture in Utah between two of the largest technology companies in the world, and the only reason why this facility is even here is because of cheap land and tax incentives. That and one of the two companies originally started the construction, but ended up not being able to do it alone, so it was mothballed for several years before the other partner stepped in with money. It was far cheaper to move people here than it would have been to build something in CA and then move people there. The cost of living is just so much lower.
As for your other comment about minorities working against civil rights, I too am surprised when that happens. From my limited observations, though, I think it's just human nature. When you get into an exclusive club, humans, no matter their race, gender, or whatever have a tendency to want to keep it exclusive. I don't know if it's a payback thing where they're saying that this was done to them so they want to do it to others or if they truly believe that letting others in will dilute what they have, as the argument against gay marriage often goes. It's sad, but I think there is a very xenophobic quality to human nature that abhors "the other." We all have it to some degree. It's just that most of us can control that xenophobia with rationality.
Jerran
Re: Anothor Victory.
Neilston wrote:
I used to live in Arizona, and when I first moved there, the people who lived there had a pretty similar attitude. Most were eastern transplants who moved to get out of the cold. It was a small C conservative state that pretty much believed in live and let live. But, over the course of about 10 years that I lived there, it just started to get overrun by the bats**t wing of the conservative movement. Just look at how John McCain used to be "the maverick," taking pride in bucking the traditional Republican establishment. Now in order to keep his job, he felt he had to run to the right, first with crazy Sarah and then to keep pace with J D Hayworth, a local Rush Limbaugh wannabe. When I lived in AZ, I used to actually kinda respect McCain because all of the republicans hated him. Now not so much, and AZ as a whole is kinda going that way as well. As I said before, that xenophobia is a part of everyone's DNA, almost. If they put gay marriage up to a vote in Iowa, is it really going to hold?
Us long term Iowans tend to be Fiscally conservative and socially liberal. And not taken to extremes. I have always thought this had more to do with the Small town, farmer mentality than anything else. It has only been in the last few decades that more extremist views have cropped up, and they tend to get shamed into silence fairly quickly.
That is not to say that we don't have the Haters, the Closed minded Boobs, and the like. We just assume it is the "Coasters" that have been moving to Iowa the last couple decades causing the trouble and leave it at that.
I used to live in Arizona, and when I first moved there, the people who lived there had a pretty similar attitude. Most were eastern transplants who moved to get out of the cold. It was a small C conservative state that pretty much believed in live and let live. But, over the course of about 10 years that I lived there, it just started to get overrun by the bats**t wing of the conservative movement. Just look at how John McCain used to be "the maverick," taking pride in bucking the traditional Republican establishment. Now in order to keep his job, he felt he had to run to the right, first with crazy Sarah and then to keep pace with J D Hayworth, a local Rush Limbaugh wannabe. When I lived in AZ, I used to actually kinda respect McCain because all of the republicans hated him. Now not so much, and AZ as a whole is kinda going that way as well. As I said before, that xenophobia is a part of everyone's DNA, almost. If they put gay marriage up to a vote in Iowa, is it really going to hold?