No On 1
Tuesday, 20. October 2009, 17:01:18
So, most people who know me know that I don't get involved in politics. I hate the whole political back and forth squabbles and having to endure every Summer and Autumn filled with hatred from whichever side's turn it is to spew next.
I hate it.
I hate it.
I hate it.
...but there's always a "but" somewhere...
...and this time, I think it is high time I voice what I have to say regarding Issue 1 on the ballots here in my beloved State of Maine: the issue of gay marriage.
Last year, our governor, John Baldacci, did something historic not only to the State of Maine, but, to the United States, and added to the history books: he became the first governor of any state to endorse gay marriage by signing a bill which passed through the State House and Senate to his desk. This man went against his own personal beliefs on the issue and made his decision to be all-inclusive.
Celebrations in the gay communities all over Maine ensued. We don't have the biggest statewide gay population compared to New York, California, Florida, Texas, etc. but, we do well on our own... and that's not to include the just-as-large-maybe-even-larger gay friendly population here, who celebrated right along with us.
Oh, I must admit that I'm not in a big hurry to go waltzing down the aisle either, but, for the sake of those who are close to me, who would like to do so, and for the right reasons, etc. AND for the fact that it's a huge stride in EQUAL rights. Yes, that's right the word equal...equal means equal; equal means everyone is able to do the same thing as his or her neighbor; equal, equal, equal, equal, equal, equal...folks: my friends: everyone: LISTEN UP!!! We're all human beings no matter what we feel about anyone else. We are all born, we all live, we all die.
Of course, the people who are against the whole thing hit the streets right away with their petitions in hand getting enough signatures and the people's veto was underway, and the advertisements on television began.
Now, once again, I, who hate politics and could care less to speak up about anything except to cast my own private vote as a private citizen in my own private voting booth -- I'M SPEAKING UP!!!
For the very first time, I'm actually telling the world BEFORE the polls, I'm going to vote NO on Issue 1 (I do not want to reject the gay marriage law). Yes, I'm gay. No, I'm not getting married, nor am I engaged to be married.
...and for once I have a few things to say:
Let's begin with Bishop Malone in Portland. First of all, the separation of church and state should be remembered here and this person is using his powers as a head of the local church to influence a State issue. He has also publicly announced his intention to pass the baskets an extra time at service specifically to support this political cause. The political cause isn't going to refuse the contributions, so, could someone please tell me how this is legal? Besides the church/state issue, this bishop, who is so vocally opposed to same sex marriage is also the very same person who reinstated a sexually deviant priest and has defended others -- so, which is better: Two men getting married and living their lives legally and without doing any harm to the community, or a religious figure who diddles little children scarring them for life with no recourse?
...and speaking about children...
HOW DO SCHOOLS FIT ANYWHERE INTO THE ISSUE OF WHETHER TWO ADULTS CAN GET MARRIED!? Other than the fact that the couple might actually be raising children and need to be in contact with teachers regarding the well-being of said children.
Who said anything about gay marriage being a subject taught in schools?
Would someone please explain the logic of gay marriage superseding reading, writing, mathematics, science, grammar...all of those required subjects in the classroom. Teachers in all schools have well enough to do with the meager-est of salaries to have to worry about some social issue. I remember when I was in school, every once in a while, a question about an adult issue was broached, and teachers would flatly say right out that something like that was not appropriate for us to talk about, and get right back on with teaching -- and often, the teachers would, because whatever was brought up, write a note or call the parents just to let them know what their kids were saying in class.
The point is: LEGALIZING GAY MARRIAGE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CURRICULUM IN SCHOOLS!!!
These ads are rather unfair and misleading and have no place with the issue.
...and the most recent ad from "their" side is what finally made my mind up to speak out...
The people who wish to ban gay marriage have come out with an ad that claims that by legalizing gay marriage that teachers in schools will have to explain to kids (direct quote from the ad:) "What is gay sex?" and then the ad shows a graphic of an outline similar to what might be written on a blackboard as part of a lesson plan.
So, the people who are so opposed to this issue and are so afraid of these subjects being broached -- THESE PEOPLE ARE THE ONES BROACHING THE SUBJECTS IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!
Please tell me the logic: A child is watching television and this commercial comes on claiming that legalizing gay marriage is going to lead to teaching about gay sex in the classroom; this child comes to the adult "Mommy, what is gay sex?" When Mommy asks the kid where he heard that, and he says he saw it on the commercial on television...
If you don't want your kid to ask "What is gay sex?" why would you expose said child to it right there in your own advertisement?
So, we have a political movement that is illegally funded and needs to hit below the belt with misleading and baseless advertisements bordering on flat out lying just to get numbers on the boards AND publicly supported by the head of a religious community that has allowed at least one known child molester to remain free on the streets all while keeping him as a working clergyman in the church which he serves.
This is fact.
Yes, even if I was heterosexual, I would still be voting NO on Issue 1 this November simply because I believe in freedom and justice for ALL.
...and you know the great thing about it all is? You don't have to agree!!! You don't have to even like gay people. You could be one of the most homophobic people that this state has ever (or never) known. You could secretly wish that all gays get herded off in trains to camps like they did in Nazi Europe or here in the United States back in WWII.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO AGREE WITH ANYTHING ABOUT THE GAY COMMUNITY!!!
I would never ask anyone to change how they feel about gay people. I know that some people hate me just because I'm gay. I'm comfortable knowing that they have just as much right to hate me as I have to exist.
...but how about just living and letting live?
...and how about the money that WILL come pouring into Maine? I mean, of course, it's all been said too many times before, and people with their hands constantly held out to the State asking for more money don't seem to realize where that money is coming from, and seeing as they're some of the first to raise a BIG noise when they're denied any funding because the moneys just aren't available...
Does anyone realize why we're called "Vacationland?" How about a nice wedding at the Portland Headlight...or Pemaquid? How about the backdrop of Acadia National Park for the most perfect day? How about caterers for the event? How about tailors and seamstresses? How about hotels? Wouldn't it be the most perfect thing for a tourist state to go an entire Summer completely booked? What about a Winter wedding? Full slopes at the ski resorts? Baxter State Park at the foot of Katahdin?
...and these are just examples of weddings. How awesome would it be that not only do people decide to pour in the dollars to a perfect Maine wedding and then decide, it's the perfect place to honeymoon just the same? Perhaps live? Do people not realize we're in a real estate crisis here (ok, so, some of the rates have gone up in the housing market, but nothing to make any note of...we're still poor!)
...and wouldn't you know it...the farms and orchards all over the State that get assistance to stay alive and well and working...you know, all that money pouring into our State is taxed and some of those taxes do go to help keep Maine potatoes and Maine cranberries and Maine Pine trees growing and thriving. Enough fishermen and lobstermen need assistance.
With more money, we could have the necessary means to afford police and fire and rescue services that some have had to be cut recently due to no money.
Do you realize the jobs that would be created? Don't you think that we could re-open some of the old abandoned mills and put business and do good for the communities?
I know that some of the lobstermen from way up Downeast don't care much for gay people...just the same as some of the potato farmers and corn farmers and dairy farmers and wood loggers in the middle of the state. I know this and I would never try to change their minds. They are entitled to not like gay people for their own reasons. However, they will also benefit in the end by allowing people to just live and let live.
I know I'm saying just as much as everyone else has, but, everything I say (just as everyone else has said) comes from the heart. I love Maine. Maine is my home. I never want to leave here. Even if I never get married, I want to be able to travel around and visit the world and be the proudest person ever to say that I come from Maine.
Freedom and justice for all: THAT'S the way life should be. That's Maine.
Please vote "NO" on Issue 1.
.
I hate it.
I hate it.
I hate it.
...but there's always a "but" somewhere...
...and this time, I think it is high time I voice what I have to say regarding Issue 1 on the ballots here in my beloved State of Maine: the issue of gay marriage.
Last year, our governor, John Baldacci, did something historic not only to the State of Maine, but, to the United States, and added to the history books: he became the first governor of any state to endorse gay marriage by signing a bill which passed through the State House and Senate to his desk. This man went against his own personal beliefs on the issue and made his decision to be all-inclusive.
Celebrations in the gay communities all over Maine ensued. We don't have the biggest statewide gay population compared to New York, California, Florida, Texas, etc. but, we do well on our own... and that's not to include the just-as-large-maybe-even-larger gay friendly population here, who celebrated right along with us.
Oh, I must admit that I'm not in a big hurry to go waltzing down the aisle either, but, for the sake of those who are close to me, who would like to do so, and for the right reasons, etc. AND for the fact that it's a huge stride in EQUAL rights. Yes, that's right the word equal...equal means equal; equal means everyone is able to do the same thing as his or her neighbor; equal, equal, equal, equal, equal, equal...folks: my friends: everyone: LISTEN UP!!! We're all human beings no matter what we feel about anyone else. We are all born, we all live, we all die.
Of course, the people who are against the whole thing hit the streets right away with their petitions in hand getting enough signatures and the people's veto was underway, and the advertisements on television began.
Now, once again, I, who hate politics and could care less to speak up about anything except to cast my own private vote as a private citizen in my own private voting booth -- I'M SPEAKING UP!!!
For the very first time, I'm actually telling the world BEFORE the polls, I'm going to vote NO on Issue 1 (I do not want to reject the gay marriage law). Yes, I'm gay. No, I'm not getting married, nor am I engaged to be married.
...and for once I have a few things to say:
Let's begin with Bishop Malone in Portland. First of all, the separation of church and state should be remembered here and this person is using his powers as a head of the local church to influence a State issue. He has also publicly announced his intention to pass the baskets an extra time at service specifically to support this political cause. The political cause isn't going to refuse the contributions, so, could someone please tell me how this is legal? Besides the church/state issue, this bishop, who is so vocally opposed to same sex marriage is also the very same person who reinstated a sexually deviant priest and has defended others -- so, which is better: Two men getting married and living their lives legally and without doing any harm to the community, or a religious figure who diddles little children scarring them for life with no recourse?
...and speaking about children...
HOW DO SCHOOLS FIT ANYWHERE INTO THE ISSUE OF WHETHER TWO ADULTS CAN GET MARRIED!? Other than the fact that the couple might actually be raising children and need to be in contact with teachers regarding the well-being of said children.
Who said anything about gay marriage being a subject taught in schools?
Would someone please explain the logic of gay marriage superseding reading, writing, mathematics, science, grammar...all of those required subjects in the classroom. Teachers in all schools have well enough to do with the meager-est of salaries to have to worry about some social issue. I remember when I was in school, every once in a while, a question about an adult issue was broached, and teachers would flatly say right out that something like that was not appropriate for us to talk about, and get right back on with teaching -- and often, the teachers would, because whatever was brought up, write a note or call the parents just to let them know what their kids were saying in class.
The point is: LEGALIZING GAY MARRIAGE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CURRICULUM IN SCHOOLS!!!
These ads are rather unfair and misleading and have no place with the issue.
...and the most recent ad from "their" side is what finally made my mind up to speak out...
The people who wish to ban gay marriage have come out with an ad that claims that by legalizing gay marriage that teachers in schools will have to explain to kids (direct quote from the ad:) "What is gay sex?" and then the ad shows a graphic of an outline similar to what might be written on a blackboard as part of a lesson plan.
So, the people who are so opposed to this issue and are so afraid of these subjects being broached -- THESE PEOPLE ARE THE ONES BROACHING THE SUBJECTS IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!
Please tell me the logic: A child is watching television and this commercial comes on claiming that legalizing gay marriage is going to lead to teaching about gay sex in the classroom; this child comes to the adult "Mommy, what is gay sex?" When Mommy asks the kid where he heard that, and he says he saw it on the commercial on television...
If you don't want your kid to ask "What is gay sex?" why would you expose said child to it right there in your own advertisement?
So, we have a political movement that is illegally funded and needs to hit below the belt with misleading and baseless advertisements bordering on flat out lying just to get numbers on the boards AND publicly supported by the head of a religious community that has allowed at least one known child molester to remain free on the streets all while keeping him as a working clergyman in the church which he serves.
This is fact.
Yes, even if I was heterosexual, I would still be voting NO on Issue 1 this November simply because I believe in freedom and justice for ALL.
...and you know the great thing about it all is? You don't have to agree!!! You don't have to even like gay people. You could be one of the most homophobic people that this state has ever (or never) known. You could secretly wish that all gays get herded off in trains to camps like they did in Nazi Europe or here in the United States back in WWII.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO AGREE WITH ANYTHING ABOUT THE GAY COMMUNITY!!!
I would never ask anyone to change how they feel about gay people. I know that some people hate me just because I'm gay. I'm comfortable knowing that they have just as much right to hate me as I have to exist.
...but how about just living and letting live?
...and how about the money that WILL come pouring into Maine? I mean, of course, it's all been said too many times before, and people with their hands constantly held out to the State asking for more money don't seem to realize where that money is coming from, and seeing as they're some of the first to raise a BIG noise when they're denied any funding because the moneys just aren't available...
Does anyone realize why we're called "Vacationland?" How about a nice wedding at the Portland Headlight...or Pemaquid? How about the backdrop of Acadia National Park for the most perfect day? How about caterers for the event? How about tailors and seamstresses? How about hotels? Wouldn't it be the most perfect thing for a tourist state to go an entire Summer completely booked? What about a Winter wedding? Full slopes at the ski resorts? Baxter State Park at the foot of Katahdin?
...and these are just examples of weddings. How awesome would it be that not only do people decide to pour in the dollars to a perfect Maine wedding and then decide, it's the perfect place to honeymoon just the same? Perhaps live? Do people not realize we're in a real estate crisis here (ok, so, some of the rates have gone up in the housing market, but nothing to make any note of...we're still poor!)
...and wouldn't you know it...the farms and orchards all over the State that get assistance to stay alive and well and working...you know, all that money pouring into our State is taxed and some of those taxes do go to help keep Maine potatoes and Maine cranberries and Maine Pine trees growing and thriving. Enough fishermen and lobstermen need assistance.
With more money, we could have the necessary means to afford police and fire and rescue services that some have had to be cut recently due to no money.
Do you realize the jobs that would be created? Don't you think that we could re-open some of the old abandoned mills and put business and do good for the communities?
I know that some of the lobstermen from way up Downeast don't care much for gay people...just the same as some of the potato farmers and corn farmers and dairy farmers and wood loggers in the middle of the state. I know this and I would never try to change their minds. They are entitled to not like gay people for their own reasons. However, they will also benefit in the end by allowing people to just live and let live.
I know I'm saying just as much as everyone else has, but, everything I say (just as everyone else has said) comes from the heart. I love Maine. Maine is my home. I never want to leave here. Even if I never get married, I want to be able to travel around and visit the world and be the proudest person ever to say that I come from Maine.
Freedom and justice for all: THAT'S the way life should be. That's Maine.
Please vote "NO" on Issue 1.
.




