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A mixed bag in the states

Jill

I went to bed too early last night to see the results of all the ballot measures, but it looks like the results are mixed. Proposition 8, which would ban same-sex marriage in California, is being contested, although supporters are claiming victory. Gays and lesbians were also targeted with victorious hate legislation in Arkansas, Florida and Arizona. The good news is that South Dakota and Colorado voters rejected their states’ anti-choice measures. Washington passed physician-assisted suicide legislation. Michigan will now allow for the use of medical marijuana, and Massachusetts decriminalized small-scale marijuana possession. California passed an animal welfare law.

In other words, more good than bad — but what’s bad is really bad. I’m hoping that opponents of Proposition 8 are right and that once all the votes are in, California voters will have rejected it, mostly because I just can’t imagine what’s in someone’s mind when they’re in the voting booth pulling “yes” on 8. But I’m not optimistic.

6 thoughts on A mixed bag in the states

  2. I’m truly disgusted that Florida’s Amendment 2 received more that 60% of the vote. I just don’t know where all these people come from.

    Pay close attention to the bigoted turd-of-a-nugget of misinformation that the whole amendment is based on: “As the campaign heads into its final week, the main argument supporters of the proposition are making is that if the amendment fails, school children could be indoctrinated in the gay lifestyle.”

    Oh, and guess who’s an avid supporter of Amendment 2? Douchebag of the year Florida Governor Charlie Crist. Surprise Surprise.

  3. California also shot down Prop. 4, which would have required teens to notify parents before an abortion. How this state is pro-choice yet anti-gay astounds me.

  4. Honestly, all the anti-gay legislation that passed is a real fucking bummer, the blight on what is otherwise a great, and historic day. What I’ve gathered from the various internet comments I’ve read, the main reason ignorant people voted yes to this stuff is 1.) God says a man and a woman equals marriage and 2.) I don’t want my kids being taught that being gay is OK at school. People are all too eager to take the bible literally in order to back up their fear and hatred, and as homophobic Evangelical Christianity is so big these days, I imagine this battle is going to be long and shitty, with many supposedly well-meaning people thinking they are on God’s side as they enact social-legislative terrorism on their fellow Americans.

    The reason CA can be “pro-choice” (defeating Prop 4) and anti-gay (voting yes on Prop 8) is that the majority of people in CA can empathize with/imagine themselves getting an abortion, while most don’t empathize or imagine themselves (or don’t want to!) in the position of gay people.

  6. I’m also pleased to report that MA passed Question 3, which bans greyhound race betting (and therefore effectively greyhound racing). There are a LOT of rescued greyhounds in MA and only a fraction of racers have been saved.

    It’s a mixed bag and the downsides hurt me and mine. I’m just trying to find what sunshine I can in this.

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