Ups and downs

In this weeks edition: The vote is in - do we have equal rights yet? The rules of Uganda - US religious groups influence international policy making.

The results for Ref 71 and Question 1 are in. In a close race, Question 1 in Maine was passed with 53% of the vote, thus repealing the law allowing same-sex couples to marry. On the flipside, Ref 71 (granting same-sex couples all the rights of a married couple, except not calling it a marriage) passed with 52% of the vote. Although not a question of 'marriage', Ref 71 would be the first time voters in a US state have approved a bill that promoted gay rights. Also in this voting period, anti-gay politician, Christopher Christie, was voted in as the new governor of New Jersey.

While I'm glad Ref 71 passed, it is unfortunate that both votes were so close. Again, the expected anti-gay forces were responsible. The National Organization for Marriage and Protect Marriage Washington, both used similar tactics to persuade voters to stamp on the rights of same-sex couples. These are some typical arguments: 1. Allowing same-sex marriage will diminish the value of marriage between a man and a woman. 2. It will lead to teaching homosexuality in schools (thus making our kids gay). 3. It will create a precedent which will allow animal-human marriages, object-human marriages, etc. 4. It's immoral and against my religion. Needless to say, I feel like these arguments are all unfounded and somewhat illogical...I won't get into rebuttals, but you're welcome to post below. Some anti-gay activists see pro-gay bills as giving homosexuals special rights as a minority group and feel that the bills actually infringe on the religious rights of people. In reality, they just give us the same rights that everyone else already takes for granted and raises us up from the level of second citizens. Our queerness isn't a choice, unlike religion, and I feel like we should all be allowed freedom of thought and action as long as it doesn't trample any other groups rights.
With the win in Washington and the loss in Maine, some people question whether it is democratic to leave question of human rights to the voters. A democracy is supposed to protect the rights of all citizens and grant equality to all. Unfortunately, this can be warped into a 'majority rules' mentality where a state wide vote can affect policy and law making. While this is usually fine, it can also lead to something called the 'tyranny of the majority', where a majority of people can vote away the rights of the minority. Although everyone has a say, the question is inherently flawed because it affects a minority group's rights in a system where everyone is meant to be treated equally.

Let's stop talking US politics...kind of. In Uganda, politicians are soon to pass an anti-gay bill. Homosexual sex would be grounds for life long imprisonment, having same-sex relationships with HIV positive people or people under 18 would be punishable by death and organizing LGBT rights gropus would be criminalized. Even here, we can't step entirely out from the reaching arms of the US religious zealots. Much of this legislation is considered to be the result of vicious anti-gay preaching by US missionaries from the likes of those like evangelical leader, Rick Warren. For what it's worth, an online petition is circulating to ask Rick Warren to stop his anti-gay rhetoric in Uganda (http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/rick-warren-please-denounce-anti-gay-bill-in-uganda). It is examples like this, where homosexuality is faced with government backed homophobia and punishable by death of imprisonment, that bolster my determination to push the envelope in our own city and country. Some argue that here in a Canada, we've got marriage, we've got our rights, we should just shut up and blend with the rest of 'normal' society. Even here we face homophobic slurs and gay bashings on a regular basis. Though this is nothing to the level of what a homosexual in Uganda would face, it is nonetheless unacceptable. It's your right to sit down, to be silent and to be happy in your own little city, however, take care not to treat your outspoken, boa wearing, flag waving, pride going queer brothers and sisters like some embarrassing distant relative. In our privileged position with many legal rights, we need to push forward and set an example for other peoples.
Upcoming, banning anti-gay books (I'll get to it this time around!), polygamy and more. What's important to you?

Stay tuned.