This is what I think regarding equality and the marriage issue.

[AndyA]

We're told that gay marriage is a threat to hetero marriage. Despite the absence of making sense, that seems to be the number one issue. In reality, the number one threat to the sanctity of marriage is DIVORCE. If marriage between a man and a woman is truly that precious, indeed so special that the mere ability of a gay couple to share in that same union threatens it, then divorce must surely be as big of a threat, or more of a threat.

So...I think we need to work to pass legislation in the states where gay marriage has been voted down that prohibits divorce. We use the same excuses they used against gay marriage. One man + one woman = forever. Period. No second chances. It's for life. If marriage truly must be protected, even if in the process it prohibits another group of people from their rights, then extreme steps must be taken to protect it.

And allowing a legal process to undo it all just can't be tolerated.

Then, I think we need to stop fooling around with this on a state level, and deal with it as a federal issue, in short a violation of our civil rights guaranteed to us by the Constitution.

The divorce thing will expose these people for the hateful hypocrites they truly are, and by getting it passed on the federal level, it will prevent states from taking away rights from a class of citizens in the future.

Thoughts?

[Bluenorthwest]

1. Absolutely

Let them put their Sacrament where their money is.

[theHandpuppet]

2. In principle I agree with you

That is, the issue of divorce certainly exposes their hypocrisy. But as far as I'm concerned, the equality movement has been way too civil. The days of political poolside parties and galas are over. The days of politeness and apologizing for our very existence, they are over. The days of supporting politicians who continually throw us under the bus are over. The days of coloring within the lines are over. The days of trying to kick the field goal through moving goalposts are over. The days of wanting without sacrifice and inconvenience are over. And yes, the days of trying to reason with the unreasonable are over.

It's time to get pissed as hell.

[Neecy]

4. No, we're supposed to accept it

Incredibly, this was posted in GD/P this morning:

To be America's president, he has to act like a part-time homophobe.

...this president, perhaps more than any other, has to be sure he gives lip service to the homophobes--or he, already viewed as The Other, will be neutered politically. America's last "safe" bigotries must unfortunately be handled the most carefully.

I'm really stunned by this thinking.

He gave "lip service" to the homophobes when he let Warren speak on the very first day of his administration.

I was at my sister's house to watch the Inaugural - we had both volunteered for Obama's campaign before the primaries - and when Warren showed up I excused myself and left the room. When I came back in she was crying. This doesn't just hurt me, it hurts everyone who loves us. But hey, it's all politics so s'all good! Be sure to "handle" us "most carefully"!

I just want to vomit around here sometimes. Honest to god.

[theHandpuppet]

5. OMFG

:wow:

I can't believe someone actually had the nerve to post that -- but it just goes to show why operating under the same old rules isn't going to work. We are expendable. We are ALWAYS expendable.

[Neecy]

6. It just shows that we're right.

If they have to dig this deeply to excuse the inexcusable - that he has to act like a part-time homophobe and give lip service to homophobia - then they're finally coming around to the fact that yes indeedy, HE IS ACTING LIKE A FUCKING HOMOPHOBE. And now even that is okay - from a Democratic president!

And they get furious at us when we protest!

Does it get any more bizarre than this?

[Newshues]

3. one problem

the same (type of) people who were against liberalizing divorce laws are the same ( type of ) people who are against gay marriage. You run the risk of finding yourself welcomed into their community!

[NMMNG]

7. On the contrary

By and large the people screaming loudest for bans on same-sex marriage are those with multiple divorces and several counts of adultery under their belts. They don't give a shit about "the sanctity of marriage". They care only about keeping us down.They are hypocrites of the highest order.

[galaxy21]

8. You really want to make it harder for a victimized woman to get away from her abusive husband?

I understand the point that divorce is a bigger threat to the sanctity of marriage than gay marriage will ever be...but divorce is neccessary and it shouldn't be insanely difficult to obtain one. Often for the safety of one of the partners.

A lot of women would be dead now, or still getting the crap kicked out of them on a regular basis, if divorce was banned/seriously restricted.

No woman should be forced to be legally tied to an abuser/rapist. And these women and their children aren't "collatoral damage" to prove a point.