So North Carolina passed an amendment recently that pretty much screws over the legal rights of domestic partners who are not recognized by the state as legally wedded (only between a man and a woman). Julie and I knew it was coming because of all the posters that popped up everywhere: "Another family against the Amendment" was the most common. Due to the nature of Durham, a very gay-friendly city, I told Julie that I thought there was no way that the Amendment was going to pass. In fact, in the Triangle the Amendment was overwhelmingly defeated. But the rest of North Carolina is a different story.
The Amendment won by over 14,000 votes.
Good grief.
I wish those who voted for the Amendment would look at it this way:
What if all the right handed people out there decided that those who use their left hand should not be allowed to have the same rights of us who are right handed? Would it be acceptable to make a huge decision that affects their lives without asking them what they want (like creating desks that only work for the right handed)? Why would they do that?? I mean, how does it affect the right-handers if left-handers get the same rights?? What could they possibly gain by denying left-handers the rights that they enjoy without anyone questioning them on whether or not they deserve it?
It makes me sad. I mean, I was pissed off that the Amendment was even conceived and proposed in the first place, but since it was passed-- it just seems like another reason in which North Carolina is in the dark ages in ethics, morality, and intelligence.
Will this Amendment get repealed/revoked? I sure hope so. But who knows how long that will take. But you can bet when it does, NC will be embarrassed by how long it took and there will be a lot of apologizing and ass kissing.
I think the problem with this is that we are trying to add legality to issues that have to do with 'morality' and grey areas. It's just a bummer because it breaks down to denying other people basic rights, almost to punish them for being. I don't know...it's just sad and marginalizing. I wish we could just love people as they are.
ReplyDeleteI agree, only I would say that this amendment is trying to add MORALITY to issues that should be about legal rights of human beings. I totally agree that it is punishing people for just being who they are. The North Carolina that I know and love is here in Durham- a place for growth and love for all ethnicities and cultures and orientations-- the North Carolina that I hate is what often wheedles it's way into the political arena and greatly affects my friends and loved ones in a negative way. Sometimes I feel like North Carolina is mostly made up of scared, uninformed, ignorant grandpas that are convinced there's always a conspiracy against "middle class white folks that are just tryin to earn a decent livin'". Sigh.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, you haven't blogged in 3 weeks. What's going on?? :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't really had anything to say in awhile. I feel like I've already written a blog about being stifled creatively. I'll try to think of something:)
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