The Gay Marriage Vote in California

It was one of the most unpleasant surprises that the people of California reversed their state’s position on gay marriage.  That state has been on the forefront of changing attitudes towards gays and lesbians.  I am greatly disappointed that its citizens let themselves be swayed in the wrong direction by groups pandering to their fears.  What was the most unexpected was that so many people were fearful that their children would be taught about homosexuality in school.  People who were swayed by such arguments simply don’t understand that children learn everything of their social ideas from their friends.  There is no way to prevent the transmission of social information once a child goes to school.  Sadly, that information is often skewed and incorrect, whereas when it is taught in school it is usually monitored and correct.

I found it particularly revolting that a coalition of church groups, many from the Mormon church, financed this travesty of justice.  I would have thought that a group with such a long prior history of bigotry and bias would try harder to live that reputation down.  Instead there they are showing the country that their attitudes about others simply haven’t changed.  That other ethnic and racial groups that have struggled and are struggling to secure their full place in America voted against the rights of others is truly disappointing.

Frankly, I just can’t see how anyone’s marriage can have an effect on another couple’s marriage.  What goes on in a person’s home is a strictly private matter and should not concern the rest of the country.  There will be good gay marriages and bad gay marriages.  Some will last a half century or more and some will end up in divorce court within a few years.  All of this has nothing to do with the right of people to marry when they are gay.  The Californians should just have left things as they were before the vote.

I don’t know how long it will take before we can overturn their verdict, but what I do know is that the younger generation is far more understanding of the true meaning of love than any church group.  It may take another generation before all of the currently active bigots are dead and buried and we can refashion American Society to resemble the fair and just society we know it should be.