Where is Civil Rights for Gays and Lesbians- Why did a law like Prop 8 even Pass?

[Darkness]

Constitutionally, we are all offered equal protection under the law. Thus, saying that a boy can marry a girl, but a girl cannot marry a girl is not equal protection.

Amendment XIV to the United States Constitution:

All persons born or naturalized in the United States and
subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United
States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall
make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges
or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall
any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property,
without due process of law; nor deny to any person within
its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

 

[Zardoz]

Actually, we live in a constitutional republic, and the majority aren't supposed to be able to infringe upon the rights of the minority.

Quoted for truth. It's the only thing that keeps us minorities safe. I support the rights of all.

 

[Duck]

Can I ask just what rights you are looking for. I guess I'm just not very aware of all the rights. I know there is the right for gay marriage (I personally disagree since marriage is a religious ceremony, but I would not be against the idea of something similar. Or even not thinking of it, I probably wouldn't be against marriage anyway seeing that the religious sanctity of it is basically a joke anymore).

But what other rights?

If 'marriage' is a religious ceremony, why can I get 'married' by the Justice of the Peace at city hall, without even approaching within 6 miles (10 km if that is your measure) of a priest much less a church? If 'marriage' is a religious ceremony, why do I need a blood test? If 'marriage' is a religious ceremony, why do marriage licenses get issued by the State? 'Marriage' is not a religious ceremony. 'Marriage' is the secular recognition of a relationship commitment between two people, often accompanied by a religious ceremony. Often a priest is granted the authorization by the State to sign marriage certificates, but make no mistake, your marriage would be recognized by the state if conducted by anyone granted that authorization.

I would say that some, not all, of the other rights involve things like, not getting fired from your job for who you would like to sleep with (yes, it is legal for your employer to fire you simply for being gay in 31 of 50 states in the U.S.), or perhaps one would like to not be denied housing because of the genitalia of your lover, perhaps one would like to visit your lover in the hospital, particularly when you have documents showing that you have the medical decision making authority granted by that lover? Perhaps, one would like to exercise the right to not be arrested for kissing your lover?

All of these things happen frequently in the U.S., some of them are being remedied, slowly.

 

[fallingblood]

Maybe you should reread what I said. I did say that marriage was a religious institution, and then stated that the religious sanctity is now a joke, basically making my first point moot.

As for the other things, one can not be fired upon who is your lover unless it some how interferes with your position. Otherwise, it is discrimination and is illegal. It may not always be prosecuted as such, but then the same is true with non-homosexual people as well. Also, one can not be denied housing based on sexual orientation. If they are, there are legal actions that can be taken as it is illegal. Again though, the same is true with non-homosexuals.

As for the medical decision, that would be solved once they were able to be married, and as such, I would group that with the idea of marriage, not a separate issue. As for the final one, again, that is not legal. One can not be arrested for being homosexual and expressing that in a reserved fashion (yes, if it goes to an extreme, then it can be a problem). Otherwise, it is illegal and can be dealt with as such. And again, that is true even for non-homosexual couples.

The problems you mentioned are things that happen to nearly any minority, and even to the white population in certain areas. Each of the acts are illegal, and thus, will not be changed by giving anyone more rights as they already have those rights. When they are infringed upon, it is illegal.

 

[YamiB.]

Maybe you should reread what I said. I did say that marriage was a religious institution, and then stated that the religious sanctity is now a joke, basically making my first point moot.

As for the other things, one can not be fired upon who is your lover unless it some how interferes with your position. Otherwise, it is discrimination and is illegal. It may not always be prosecuted as such, but then the same is true with non-homosexual people as well. Also, one can not be denied housing based on sexual orientation. If they are, there are legal actions that can be taken as it is illegal. Again though, the same is true with non-homosexuals.

As for the medical decision, that would be solved once they were able to be married, and as such, I would group that with the idea of marriage, not a separate issue. As for the final one, again, that is not legal. One can not be arrested for being homosexual and expressing that in a reserved fashion (yes, if it goes to an extreme, then it can be a problem). Otherwise, it is illegal and can be dealt with as such. And again, that is true even for non-homosexual couples.

The problems you mentioned are things that happen to nearly any minority, and even to the white population in certain areas. Each of the acts are illegal, and thus, will not be changed by giving anyone more rights as they already have those rights. When they are infringed upon, it is illegal.

Most states don't have protection in housing based on sexual orientation. I don't recall the exact number, but only about half the states have protection in employment based on sexuality orientation as well, some of these are only for those employed by the state itself.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

Right Yami. I know here around the New Orleans area gays are treated ok, but other parts of Louisiana, oy. They are treated horribly. The other parts of Louisiana are typical of the Bible belt.