The VEEPs are CREEPS
I have just stormed away from watching the two people running for the Vice Presidency of the United States of America. They both declared in their polished and plastic way that same-sex couples are not entitled to full American citizenship and marriage. As a gay widower I would just like to say to Senator Bidden and Govern Palin to go fuck off. Yup, fuck you both. You are not real Americans or the people of faith you falsely claim. You are both hate mongers who are determined to keep gays as second class citizens. You can both kiss my ass.
My fury? Simple. As a legally married gay man in the state of Massachusetts when my husband died I lost a lot of what WE worked for the 26 years of our partnership and marriage. I not only lost a husband, but I lost my rightful claim to his retirement and social security benefits. Since same-sex marriage is not federally recognized for the millions of gay Americans when their spouse dies, even if the state you live in state is intelligent enough to make certain that all of her citizens are equal under the law, the federal government does not.
So like any spouse out there who has helped his or her partner/wife/husband in their careers can attest to when that tragic day of widowhood sucker punches you in the heart and the gut the very idea that all the money you and your loved one worked for and earned (YOUR MONEY) is simply turned into federally controlled pixie dust. You get not a damn thing but the expenses. Funny, the feds sill expect you to pay the outstanding taxes and such left behind from your decreased partner, but your rightfully earned money is sucked away in the heartbeat of death.
Think about it. Really think about it. The great Republican chant of keeping big government out of the lives of everyday Americans coupled with the Democratic stance of equality for all working people is just plan fucking bullshit when it comes to gay people.
Both parties, and all four of the current candidates, are determined to keep gay people in the second class place. Try this little test. Just turn to any heterosexual widow or widower you know and ask them what they would have felt like if what happened to me happened to them. Just ask how they would have financially survived at the time of the greatest pain in a life that only those that have experienced can imagine. I am serious…ask. Then think about you and your spouse. How would you like to die knowing all the money the government demanded and took from you would go up in smoke and there wasn’t a damn thing to do about it.
So let me be clear to both Bidden and Palin. You are plastic hypocrites (along with the Bozos who are running with) and you all four should look in the mirror and get a grip on reality equality or simply fuck off.
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:51 pm
I think the important part, though, is that Biden clearly said he would fully support equal legal rights, including tax breaks, for GLBTQFF couples. However, Palin clearly opposed it and went on about “traditional marriage.”
They both agreed to leave the issue of what “marriage” is to the churches. So, civil unions, granted by the government, should be what we define for all couples: gay and straight. However, marriage should be REDEFINED as a church institute and, as such, separated from the state by constitional law. In other words, or movement should focus on forcing them to acknowledge the difference AFTER the elections.
Remember that over 1/3 of the judges sitting have been appointed by Bush-Cheney-Rove-McCain. The next president will appoint practically 2/3rds of them AND redefine the Supreme Court. Do you want to really walk away pissed off and let the RepubliCONS continue to do that? It’s their courts that have been deciding against our equality. That’s where the real battle is.
In the meantime, let’s not lose the forest for the trees. Palin and the RepubliCONS are VERY different from the Democrats. RepubliCONS actively pursue legislation and an agenda against gay civil unions, marriage, employment, housing, and all equal rights.
Don’t toss the baby out with the bath water.
October 3rd, 2008 at 6:17 am
You make a valid point about “not tossing the baby out with the bath water”. You are right and, I for one will vote for Obama (holding my nose knowing I should be voting for Mrs. Clinton.) The “however” here is publically stating and supporting second class citizenship for gays is one of the last “acceptable” soapboxes of scoundrels. It has got to end. In the many countries where same sex has been the norm for years can anyone point out a study that indicates social rack and ruin in those countries? NO. In the states I ask the same question, and the answer is still
NO. What needs to be addressed is NOT “marriage equality” as the stilted gay leadership in our country has jumped on but, the missing element of “All Americans are Created Equal”.
Yes, I fully understand even when those words were penned they were not fully actualized but that was over 200 years ago and ALL Americans still seem to be willing to allow the imperfect beginnings of the world’s country continue. I still say bullshit and fuck them. I have had it. Let me borrow a phrase from one of the most corrupt presidents in history – let me make it perfectly clear that the politicians are not the only ones to blame. A goodly portion of this shame lays directly on the shoulders our national gay leadership. They have are nothing more than complacent participants in our second class status quo.
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:59 am
Richard,
I feel your frustration, but Biden HAS to say he against gay marriage, because if he doesn’t, Barack Obama would lose moderate votes, and thus , lose the election. The courts will work through this, and we will, sooner or later, obtain our full equality.
October 3rd, 2008 at 11:07 am
SO how is every one like riding in the back of bus?
October 3rd, 2008 at 11:14 am
It sucks Rick, but a lot of other people have had to do it too! There’s an old adage, “Life isn’t fair”, I got used to that one a long time ago. And when you think about it, the American public is generally envious of us, because we do seem to enjoy a higher socioeconomic status despite all of the injustices that we’ve faced. I can’t wait to meet you in person and tell you my story.
October 3rd, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Rick, my friend,
Look how far we have come in our lifetimes. Imagine how far we would have been by now if it had not been for the “gay plague”. Surely that set us back at least 10-15 years. Michaael S. is correct. Let us stay the course, praise one small victory at a time, keep our fingers crossed and work hard on the future.
I was born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama during those civil rights days of the 1960s. Those changes took time, and things still ain’t equal down there.
Perhaps what the gay civil rights movement needs is forthright leaders, sympathetic politicians, and a united voice, little of which we have at this present time.
Keep the faith. It may not happen in our lifetime, but God willing, these changes will happen.
Buzz Daniel
October 5th, 2008 at 7:15 am
I have been having many “interesting” off-line conversations via private email regarding this posting. People seem to want to speak their minds, but not publically. The point of my blog is PUBLIC discourse, and not promoting the monolithic thinking of one person (myself) or gay people in general (I would never make such an outrageous claim to have the power to do so). So if you have something to say go ahead and say it, but do it publically. The “Silence = Death” rule still applies in my book.
October 5th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
I’ve been corresponding with Richard personally, and all civil, however, he wants all comments on the blog, so here goes.
As long as we’re making progress, I don’t think we need to resort to the tactics of ACT UP. I always felt that they made things worse but their intent was good. I never would join such a radical group myself, and I know this road to equality is really long, but it is moving forward. I have a lot of faith in Barack Obama, I’m sure he’ll move us even faster along, and his veep is not a creep.
October 6th, 2008 at 6:37 am
Points are well taken. But ACT UP did do a good job. It hit the AIDS crisis over the heads of the public and politicians. Gay activists certainly need to learn from our past and “refine” our approaches, but we have become complaint participants in what Urvashi Viad wrote about in “Virtual Equality”. (If you do not know who Viad is Google her damnit and learn your history!)
My concern is the gay community is not being strong enough. Marriage equality is grand and needed goal but equal equality as AMERICANS is the goal that MUST be obtained. Many of us live in pockets of the country where gay people are “accepted” (or at least “tolerated”), but just talk to someone from a farming community in Montana and see if they feel comfortable with being out. Just think about Matthew Shepard.
Damnit, I am proud and patriotic American. I was literally attacked on September 11th. I was totally ready and willing to fight for our homeland without hesitation. Yet we as a group still want to place nice and not rock the boat.” Well folks, what boat? Your little comfortable cocoon of the one you reside in or the bigger one that impacts all Americans?
Here is a thought why not write to the candidates and tell them we (gay Americans) are tired of second class citizenship and marriage is just a sliver of the pie? I mean they don’t get it and it is because we are allowing them not to get it.
If a tired woman who would not give up her “back of the bus seat” could galvanize the world why can’t we? Maybe because we are just plain lazy.
By the way, thank you Mrs. Parks for your courage. Pray for us left behind.
November 5th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
We are all second class citizens when life gives us an unfair blow, you dont have to beat the system, by playing by its rules, better to play by our own. I dont pay taxes property or otherwise, and its legally protected to do so, you voluntereed to pay them when you asked for a SS card, yeah so you could get a job, but inform yourself of the truth and it will set you free.
As for gay marriage you can be with whomever you want as far as Im concerned, personally I think all sex is gross to a certain extent albeit a natural expression, but it is a drug as well.
Better to be aware of an internal reality, the external can blind you with facts, figures and lies.
A good discussion. Thanks Rick for the chance and keep going brother.