Harvey's Top 10: "Let's Look At The Big Picture"

by Rhonda J Mangus | November 4, 2009 at 02:34 pm

177 views | 41 Recommendations | 8 comments

Ken Harvey, an accomplished author who won the Violet Quill Award for Best Gay Fiction of the Year, for a book of short stories, "if you were with me everything would be all right" finds himself, as he has in previous years, taking The Obligatory "Let's Look At the Big Picture" Blog Entry after Gay Marriage loses in the state of Maine.

It isn't all bad, so "Let's Look At The Big Picture":

1. Ten years ago, no one would ever have believed that almost 50% of a state would support same-sex marriage.

2. The margin of victory in Maine and California for same-sex marriage opponents was slim. And younger voters in both states were solid supporters of same-sex marriage. Time is on our side.

3. The voters of Washington State seem to have passed (it's not official yet) what is essentially a civil unions bill last night. Remember the uproar of Vermont's civil unions bill not that long ago? Civil unions have become an accepted part of the social landscape. Marriage will follow.

4. As of today, five states offer same-sex marriage licenses.

5. A number of openly gay candidates won elections last night.

6. The city of Kalamazoo passed an anti-discrimination ordinance that includes transgendered Americans.

7. The far right of the Republican Party was dealt a huge loss in New York's congressional race in the 27th district. Republicans have held that seat since the Civil War. A Democrat now holds it.

8. The Maine vote was not a vote to amend the constitution, and it is within the power of the legislature to pass another same-sex marriage law.

9. Every time there is a vote on marriage, more and more people get to know LGBT people. This can only be good.

10. There's always Canada.

On July 20, 2005, Canada became the fourth country in the world and the first country in the Americas to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide with the enactment of the Civil Marriage Act.

The five states that have legalized gay marriage are Iowa, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Connecticut — but all did so through legislation or court rulings, not by popular vote.

Repealed by voters, Maine became the 30th state to either ban same-sex marriage or overturn a court legislative decision that had supported it.

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Amy Judd

at 15:51 on November 4th, 2009

He does put things in to perspective nicely that's true.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 16:04 on November 4th, 2009

I thought so too, Amy! Because it's not all bad:)! It's just going to take more time. Thanks for reading, commenting, and for the recommendation!

smkovalinsky

at 18:05 on November 4th, 2009

As I told Spydermonkey: 20 years ago, there would not have been a referendum, because no Governor would have legalized gay marriage in the first place. Secondly, the referendum or vote would not have won by a slim 53%, it would have won by 90%. Third, gays are globally respected as in no other era of history. Look at Canada, Europe, Israel; the advances made have been nothing short of stunning. Philosophically, no one has been able to fully refute Andrew Sullivan's "Virtually Normal: An argument about Homosexuality". Gains outweigh losses.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 18:13 on November 4th, 2009

"Gains outweigh losses." I agree! Thanks for reading, commenting, and for the rec!

QueensHart

at 06:06 on November 5th, 2009

I wonder what their agenda will be when they get this repealed? Sorry but they will never be satisfied.. No one is. They will pick another fight. Gays are more than out of the closet. It is promoted on Television all the time. We got the movies... WE got sponge bob...they have all they need. Defining happiness and rights is a question no one can really define and no one can accomplish. With all the pain and turmoil of the world I think this is not a world issue but a personal one. They all need to develop self esteem, inner wholeness. Inner wholeness is more important than the external piece of paper they fight for. It is a symbol. They will never get enough outer symbols to fix their childhood pain of being different. Children suffer growing up from all kinds of issues that keep them from living a creative and fulfilling life;being too fat, too skinny, low intelligence, ugly,beautiful,poor, without parents, with bad parents,

It is in my humble opinion a spiritual solution that will heal this anger that they displace onto the government for their claim to be "citizens". Acceptance of who they are by themselves period. When we have more people who have the inner wholeness that loves and accepts people where they are (which may never be) then there will be no need to fight to be "accepted". We have a world full of mentally ill people with all kinds of hangups. As Jung said it is going to take a long time for the collective to evolve. We evolved from paganism to christianity (which is still badly interpreted" and now we are evolving more. It cannot be forced . People will not change until all their little narcissistic supplies run out which is happening before our eyes collectively. If one is on an island or in a bunker with just a few people what will they care.? They will sustain each other. They will not care what one wants to do behind closed doors. To advertise constantly which is what they do is ludicrous.

All the superficial things that they want to ram down the americans such as standing on the steps like rosie o donnell did with her defiant fis in the air from getting a piece of paper will not change her internal world. Being crowned as Queen does not make a difference. Inside is what makes a difference when one is all alone. ..in their own skin..alone to feel worthy and l ove oneself warts and all...whatever the gender whatever . To define one's life only by "sexuality" is such a strike out.

None of us will ever be "accepted" by any majority. Having loving friends and a good job. We have laws..yes but we have laws about everything under the book that are not enforced or we would not have some of the problems that we face. Why don't we enforce the laws? Let us fight for integrity, honesty and following laws. To keep making new laws that will not be enforced anyway. If one's parents did not accept and love one as born etc. then that is what has to be worked thru not changing the "collective".

Rhonda J Mangus

at 19:00 on November 5th, 2009

My, 'we' are having a day:)! Thank you so much for reading and commenting!

This is my response to everyone who read Gay Apartheid...I think it is fitting here as well!

Unfortunately, however, it "does compute as an issue of equality." Under DOMA the Federal government does not recognize same-sex marriages or civil unions, even if those unions are recognized by state law. For example: members of a same-sex couple legally married in MA cannot file a joint Federal Income Tax return, even if they can file a joint State Income Tax return.

Additionally, there are 1,138 statutory provisions in which marital status is a factor in determining benefits, rights, and privileges. These rights and privileges only apply to male-female married couples. Clearly then, "People are [not] equal and civil unions [do not] do the trick...".

Need I say more?:)

Okay:) 10 Bad Arguments Against Same-Sex Marriage:)

Spydermonkey

at 10:38 on November 5th, 2009

Queenshart, I think you are missing the main point of our argument, its not about what we think of ourselves (not entirely anyway) it's more about "Equality" in how we are treated and the desire for the same protections as st8 couples.

"It is in my humble opinion a spiritual solution that will heal this anger" That can't really happen until the "christian right" breaks off the incessant attacks using hate & fear.

You do know that many "Cristian" parents kick their children out of their home when they say "I'm gay" Or how about one of my cousins & my partner, that were told, "If you don't quit being gay, I'm going to disinherit you"

Too many people still think that it is/was a choice that we actively made, Did you wake up and decide to be straight one day as a kid? No, you just are..

This won't be resolved until the ignorance and hate speech are removed from the debate.