Proposition 9

Over in California, all of Ellen de Generes’ popularity couldn’t help defeat Proposition 8, a simple statement of fourteen words.

This ballot measure stated: “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California,” which basically meant marriages in that state would be limited to persons of the opposite sex (or off-limits to gay people). So now, the battle has shifted from the ballots to the courts - the California Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments on the constitutionality of the bill.

While the justices pull on their black gowns for the ball, the party outside has turned ugly, as the chips started falling. First, the Mormons have been targeted, as reports have it that the Church of the Latter Day Saints contributed more than US$20 million to support the bill. While normally, the church is apolitical, this time, letters and other official releases spewed out of its altars, urging members to join the fight against gay marriage. 

Given these, protests and pickets now surround the Mormons, and one funny placard shouted something like “You got 3 wives, just give me my one.” Critics have wondered why this church, known for its non-traditional beliefs, would want to support a bill espousing conformity to ultra-traditional beliefs.

Intellectual Andrew Sullivan (former editor of the New Republic and multi-awarded editor and writer, who just happens to be gay and HIV positive) has theorized that it’s because the Mormons want to blend into the ‘wider Christianist movement.’ By opposing gay marriage, the Mormons will be less subject to questions by evangelicals. Whatever the reason, gay people aren’t happy about that.

Second, African-Americans are being blamed for the victory of Proposition 8, as the polls showed that 70 percent of black voters had cast their ballots in favor of the measure. That was a big surprise, as gay political parties had always aligned themselves with minority groups on the premise that they shared the same profile of discrimination.

Well, surprise, surprise, apparently black people don’t share the same affinity with gay groups as the gay guys feel for them. The armchair analysts opine that it’s because black people perceive the origin of racial discrimination as being inherent to their skin color, which is something they’re born with. The root of their suffering is “immutable,” and nothing they had anything to do with. 

On the other hand, African-Americans look at gay people as a group that has had their troubles cast upon them due to a simple matter of choice. For black people, being gay is merely a lifestyle decision, and so whatever troubles that are experienced by gay people are all stuff that can be ‘blamed’ on no one else but themselves – after all, these burdens were willingly assumed. At the end of the day, the perception is, gay people can just ‘mutate’ back to being straight by a single snap of their manicured fingers, and solve their discrimination that way.

Natch, gay people reacted adversely to this piece of news, and there are reports that white gay people have heckled black people, leading to the natural accusation that gay people are racists. 

Meanwhile, Elton John threw a bomb, as he vented his belief that gay people should be satisfied with civil partnerships (which is what he has), and that they should stop pining after an institution created by and designed for straight people. I know I’m going to get creamed for this, but I tend towards Elton’s view – or at least, half of it.

My theory is, if a gay couple wants it, they should have it, but I don’t necessarily believe it’s a good thing for them to have, anyway.

So just from the point of view of discrimination, I believe gay couples should not be deprived of a social institution and all the legal and economic benefits that it brings - just because of their sex. At the same time, I’ve always wanted to take a look at the institution and deconstruct it, and see where it can or cannot benefit gay couples. Like a Barbie doll (or a Transformer figure, if you will) I think we should tinker around with the outfit and come up with a knock-out ensemble. 

Another project that awaits me upon retirement.