Gay Marriage Amendment

Louisiana Constitutional Vote

Published on September 19, 2004 By DesignGuy In Current Events

Its a sad day for Louisiana and the United States of America thanks to the voters of Louisiana yesterday, Sept. 18, 2004.

A proposed state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages and civil unions was passed in a state-wide election. Louisiana already has a law stating that marriage can be only between a man and woman, but supporters of the amendment want to protect that law in the Constitution. The amendment also prohibits state officials and courts from recognizing out-of-state marriages and civil unions between homosexuals. The amendment appears to have been approved by about 78 percent of the vote. Turnout was limited for a state election (only 27 percent of the 2.8 million voters eligible voted) so that means fewer than 600,000 voters (1 in 5 roughly) have amended the state constitution to condone the continued discrimination and persecution of homosexuals. So much for equal rights and individual liberty and freedom.

There was a strong grassroots lobbying campaign for the amendment backed by conservative Christians in the state. For those that don't know, Louisiana is dead center in the bible-belt and most of the state is either Catholic or Southern Baptist. This is a state that once spent millions of dollars trying to outlaw teaching evolution in schools so yesterday's vote is not really surprising. Even in New Orleans, where attitudes are more progressive and there is a politically strong gay community, the amendment was passed. What a pity.

I'm not proud to be living in Louisiana today. The intense hatred by so-called Christians sounds very similar to what you'd expect at a Ku Klux Klan meeting, only it is heard in churches and at political rallies. Christianity is supposedly about love and forgiveness but you couldn't prove that to me right now. Since these Christians have managed to legislate their hatred and fear of homosexuals into state sanctioned descrimination against them I wonder what will be next? Prison? Execution?

----

For those that are interested - and not that it makes any difference - I am a white, heterosexual male that has been happily married for 22 years. This amendment has no affect on me personally. I do however find the amendment totally offensive and I am outraged that this type of hatred goes not only unchecked, but that it is supported by both the media and such a majority of the electorate. Louisiana, and the rest of the world, should know better in this day and age.

Comments

Jamie Burnside

on Sep 19, 2004

Fantastic article.

I am often puzzled at how much energy people put towards "punishing" gays for their lifestyle choices. Regardless of how one feels about the gay lifestyle, there have to be countless causes which are more worthwhile and constructive.

Recently I have been thinking about gay marriage/civil union/ whatever. (Not for myself.) Having a legal relationship like that would make the distribution of joint property a lot easier (and legally binding) if there were a such thing as "gay legal divorce."

If anti-gay people are fundamentally religious enough, wouldn't they believe that the gays will "burn in hell" anyway? What is the point of "punishing" them now? According to the Christian beliefs: They'll (gays) get theirs after they're dead.

Mackintosh

on Sep 19, 2004

That's usually the cornerstone of my argument for legalising gay/lesbian partnerships when faced with such fundamental religious opposition, alas it rarely works on them. I've even posted an article a while ago using words similiar to yours. I guess the idea of two men or women loving each other and staying commited to one another in a formally legalised union is just too abhorrent to stomach.

DesignGuy

on Sep 19, 2004

Thank you for your comment Jamie B. I don't expect to see much support for this article. I agree with you that legal relationships for homosexuals would make many civil matters much easier to deal with - and it would protect long term partners that don't fit the "normal" and restrictive male-female definition.

Life is too short and there are many other issues that are much more worthy of time and energy.

DesignGuy

on Sep 19, 2004

Mack - it is more an emotional issue to most than an intellectual issue. Arguing with a wall is much less stressful than arguing with people about religion or emotional issues - at least with a wall you don't have any hope of it considering alternative views.

Marvin Cooley

on Sep 19, 2004

DisignGuy............voting for a constitutional amendment banning fag marriage does not make one a hater. it simply means that fags should not get special treatment for being perverts. MAN, YOU HAVE REALLY BEEN TAKEN IT BY THE LIBERAL PLOTS!!!

Gideon MacLeish

on Sep 19, 2004

it simply means that fags should not get special treatment for being perverts.

How is being allowed to marry another consenting adult "special treatment"?

DesignGuy

on Sep 19, 2004

Hi Marvin - this is more what I was expecting - thanks for the comment.

I haven't been taken in by the liberal plots. I happen to know several people that are gay and have a lot of respect for them. I also know several gay people that I wouldn't give the time of day to. Funny thing is, I know "normal" people in both categories too. I feel that it is against everything I believe about the US to discriminate against these people in any way because of sexual preference. I don't understand why they can't be protected with the same legal standing that hetero marriages are given. And listen one day to preachers and politicians talking about gay people in general and gay marriage in general. The speech drips with venom in my experience. Now, replace the words "gay" and "lesbian" with "black" or "african-american" and see what the result of the same preaching/speech would be.

We discriminate against all kinds of people every day in the US - single people, married without children, blacks, asians, hispanics, people wearing green, whatever... it's nothing new, but it has to stop someday.

Sir Peter Maxwell

on Sep 19, 2004

I happen to know several people that are gay and have a lot of respect for them.

How can anyone respect a man that submits himself to another man in a sexual fashion?

I enjoy watching lesbian hookers, but the lesbians we see at the gay rights demonstrations are hideous and vile.

Jamie Burnside

on Sep 19, 2004

I enjoy watching lesbian hookers, but the lesbians we see at the gay rights demonstrations are hideous and vile.

Pete! You're on a roll today!

DesignGuy

on Sep 19, 2004

Ah, Sir Peter... to think you'd take notice of something from me - somebody obviously low in points, middle class and American as well. It is an interesting world.

For example, there are artists and actors that are gay (both openly and not so openly) that people look up to (an American way of saying respect) for their talents and/or work. The fact that their sexual preference doesn't match mine doesn't make their talents or contributions to their art any less admirable. To judge a person simply based on whether that person's appendages and/or orifices are used in the "normal" fashion makes as much sense as dismissing genius because of a speech impediment.

Everybody submits to somebody in some fashion Sir Peter. Why single out people over sexual preference?

Phoenixboi

on Sep 19, 2004

Hey DesignGuy... great article.. nice to see that there are normal people living on this planet who understand equality and respect for all humanity, not the mentality that some humans have that god only has favour for some of his creation the other was just a mistake or is evil.. that really doesnt make sense to me considering we are all supposed to be created in his image.. hmm..
Anyhow..
I hear the hurricanes are really nice out USA way this time of the year....

DesignGuy

on Sep 19, 2004

Thank you Phoenixboi - I'm not sure the word "normal" can be applied to me though (I'm an engineer

)

Equality and respect for people are things that I've been taught since an early age. I've seen the effects of hatred on others and it isn't pretty. I typically dislike people on a personal level - not because they belong to one group or another. This constitutional amendment is just beyond my comprehension, to my way of thinking we've just perpetuated a massive hate crime. I am hoping that the appeals find the amendment illegal and ultimately unconstitutional.

And yeah, it's been a pretty active hurricane season so far. I should do a blog on some aspects of hurricane season just to share the joys

Phoenixboi

on Sep 19, 2004

I'm an engineer

how can u live with yourself? By Marvins standards you must be considered a Pervert as well!!

Equality and respect for people are things that I've been taught since an early age.

That's what Ive been taught as well, and I went to a catholic school.

This constitutional amendment is just beyond my comprehension

Im sure there are many americans who think the same as you do and have a voice out there.

I should do a blog on some aspects of hurricane season just to share the joys

Are we being punished for our evil ways??

DesignGuy

on Sep 19, 2004

Phoenix - I think you've got it all right.

You know, I wondered if I came off too negative about Catholics or Southern Baptists... but that is where most of the harshest criticism and strongest words have come from. You'd be amazed to hear one of the Catholic deacons I know speak on the subject.

And yeah, reading my writing is punishment for all

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!