warning: I kinda got cranky...

[lagilman]

(for those not local, Rubén Díaz Sr. is a Dem from the Bronx who likes to Bible-thump, and did so when voting no, claiming that his vote reflected the broad consensus that marriage should be limited to a union between a man and woman, and saying "Not only the evangelicals, not only the Jews, not only the Muslims, not only the Catholics, but also the people oppose it." Hence, my letter.)



Subject: With regard to your recent speech in the Senate

Dear Senator Diaz,

As a citizen of the United States, as a Jew, as a resident of the Bronx, and as a heterosexual female, I must tell you, sir, that you are incorrect. The people do NOT demand one man/one woman as the definition of marriage. The people DEMAND civil justice and equality. Just as we demanded it for those who were persecuted for the color of their skin, or their choice of faith, in the past.

Do not claim to speak for us, sir. You speak only for your own intolerance and bigotry.

Sincerely,




[my guy voted for, and actively campaigned for, a yes vote. He's getting a donation from me in his next race.]



EtA: I should not try to improve my mood by having a piece of fudge mid-afternoon. Sugar rush comes after protein, Gilman, not before.... *feels ill, crashes*

Comments

[mtlawson.livejournal.com]

(Disclaimer: I don't live in New York)

Aren't gay marriages currently recognized in NY right now, or did something happen that got lost in the media spotlight on Prop 8 out in CA?

Not that it wouldn't make perfect sense to be ahead of the curve for a change, but I figured that NY at least would be ahead of Iowa in terms of gay marriage.

[smoemeth.livejournal.com]

NYC recognizes "registered domestic partnerships". But that's it.

[lagilman]

Sadly, no. Domestic partnerships are, and have been for a while, but not a full marriage status. Which is insane

http://www.cityclerk.nyc.gov/html/marriage/domestic_partnership_reg.shtml

[dsgood.livejournal.com]

The last I heard, the Governor of NYState had told the state's bureaucrats that while GETTING married in NYState was illegal for same-sex couples, same-sex marriages made in places where they were legal should be treated the same way as different-sex marriages by state offices.

[lagilman]

That would be in line w/ Patterson's philosophy, but tough to enforce w/o law. Any linkage?

[smoemeth.livejournal.com]

"Not only the evangelicals, not only the Jews, not only the Muslims, not only the Catholics, but also the people oppose it."

... the implication in his syntax being that evangelicals, Jews, Muslims and Catholics are not people. Which I'd like to think isn't exactly what he meant, since presumably he considers himself an evangelical. But still ... o.0

[liamstliam.livejournal.com]

Yes, watched it, and I have called about half of those who voted yes to thank them.

I also called my local senator, whose staff told me she agreed with same-sex marriage but felt the upstate area (Glens Falls) was too Conservative for her to vote for it. I told them (they know me by now) to convey my disappointment.

While I wanted to throw shoes at Sen. Diaz, Sens. Adams, Parker and Perkins gave me hope and Sen. Duane was magnificent.

[lagilman]

I went to college in that area. She may be right, but once upon a time Alabama was too "Conservative" to integrate, too. Civil rights should not be a question of the scared holding us back, but the righteous leading us forward.

Sadly, a lot of Senators are too worried about winning re-election to be righteous.

[liamstliam.livejournal.com]

I don't know how right she is.

I have been pushing this for months, and there's been some decent support.

I just think our timing sucked.

If we had not had the Senate fiasco, and it had gone thriugh in the summer, it might have worked.

[lagilman]

when I went to college in Saratoga County, we had to fight for the right to vote where we lived for 10 months of the year, because the local GOP was afraid we'd skew things "too liberal."

Never mind that we lived there-- many of us in apartments, not on campus -- for four years, and had more to do with local politic than anything in our home towns...

[kateelliott.livejournal.com]

Good for you.

My freshman state senator went out on a limb for her support of marriage equality here last fall, so I'm definitely going to support her when she comes up in 3 years for reelection.

[liamstliam.livejournal.com]

Good on you!

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

I quite understand your anger over this. I hate it when someone stands up and claims to speak for 'the people'. It's almost always a shorthand for 'people just like me, the speaker, who are the only ones who matter'. It's arrogant as well as infuriating.

[blitheringpooks.livejournal.com]

Well said, you.

[saraphina-marie.livejournal.com]

At least in NY they actually had a discussion. If Tennessee could outlaw being gay, they so would. There was no discussion on banning any and all interpretations of same-sex unions here, it was a near-unanimous vote.
I wish that this wasn't at the same time one of the most awesome places I have ever lived yet also one of the most repugnant (especially at this time of year where all I hear about is the "War on Christmas").
Thank you, Southern Baptist Convention...now how about practicing some ofthe Biblical stuff you spew on the 700 Club and drum up a little "love thy neighbor" and how about some forgiveness and at least a little peace.

I digress... good for you to send that letter, it sums things up exactly.

[lagilman]

*wince*


I should point out, for full disclosure, that Senator Diaz is a PoC. But I guess there are different levels of discrimination, and some are okay and some aren't?

[saraphina-marie.livejournal.com]

I have always thought that was weird, the lack of solidarity from one oppressed group to another.
But yet it happens, regularly.