Weighing In On Post-Prop 8 Conversations

The response from the opposition of gay/civil rights to the protests against Prop 8 has been appalling, unfair, untrue, and downright cowardly. My focus is on two people, whose(?) remarks have been so atrocious that I nearly pulled my bottom lip over my head and swallowed in fear of being lumped in as "human" with these two.

I refer to Newt Gingrich and Mike Huckabee. Yes, both are a part of the right-wing section of America that was just voted into irrelevancy on November 4th, but their comments are hardly isolated and there’s a swath of people across the globe that think like them, that we would be mistaken to ignore them. And, really, how can I whenever they open their mouths I want to eat myself? 

So, here is Newt talking about the recent protests across the U.S on The O’reilly Factor:

 GINGRICH: Look, I think there is a gay and secular fascism in this country that wants to impose its will on the rest of us, is prepared to use violence, to use harassment. I think it is prepared to use the government if it can get control of it. I think that it is a very dangerous threat to anybody who believes in traditional religion. And I think if you believe in historic Christianity, you have to confront the fact..the reality that these secular extremists are determined to impose on you acceptance of a series of values that are antithetical, they’re the opposite, of what you’re taught in Sunday school.

Seriously. He said that. Because of peaceful protests. "Lock the doors, quick! Teh gay is comin! They want to marry each other! That affects me somehow!"

And Huckabee? Speaking on his belief of the difference between gay and civil rights.

HUCKABEE: It’s a different set of rights…when we’re talking about a redefinition of an institution, that’s different than individual civil rights…here is the difference [:]… Bull Connor was hosing people down in the streets of Alabama. John Lewis got his skull cracked on the Selma bridge.

So, what you’re saying is that gays rights can’t be civil rights because gay people haven’t meant some violence threshold yet? Are you fucking kidding me?

No, they are not. 

Gingich and Huckabee suffer from the same disorder –  the inability to see that they, and their ilk, are becoming more and more extinct each passing day. They’re trying desperately to hang on, raising fears, claiming that secularism is the devil incarnate. But their efforts will be in vain, as Christianity, social conservatism, and bigotry grow more and more irrelevant…Hm, I’ve no good segue/transition into the next paragraph so..uh.. 

Newt, how dare you accuse the wonderful secularists and gay people and gay secularists who chose to carry out their constitutionally protected right to protest of fascism. They are not fascists. They are people. People, Newt. People who peacefully assembled to let their voice be heard that they too want the same right as you have to marry whomever they want, to celebrate a love they have for their significant other, to be allowed access to a hospital room of a loved one, to be happy. Thats it. They don’t want anything from, or to take anything away from, you.

And how stupid of you to claim that they are trying to "impose their will" on society. Where the hell have you been the last 2000 years!? Christianity has been imposing its will on society since its inception. It has burned, tortured, ostracized, marginalized, and oppressed millions of people. And your buddy George Bush has been guided by it since he was appointed president; it has turned out well. Christianity has been the dominant religion in the U.S for years, and to somehow claim that it is secularism that is the problem is absurd. No, Newt, these people are not "imposing their will", they’re just fighting for a seat at the table.

And, Mike, buddy? Gay rights are not civil rights because gay people aren’t getting killed or beaten, really? So, its okay, then, to discriminate against them? That is not the the U.S of A that I grew up learning about, Mike. I thought it was all about inclusion, celebrating difference, isn’t it? Oh, unless you disagree with a persons lifestyle choice? Okay, now it makes sense, you’re a hypocrite! To say gay rights can be discriminated against as long as it stays peaceful is so utterly bankrupt of morality, I cannot see how you can look and the mirror and keep a straight face when you say to yourself "I’m glad I live in a country where everyone is equal". Or, maybe you don’t do that.

And didn’t you also claim that Prop 8 did not prohibit same-sex marriage? This is such a blatant lie, I wonder who you’re trying to convince.

But I’ve got news for you two: gay marriage? Yea, it’s going to happen. What you fail to realize is that the generation that’ll take up the reins after you guys retire, and possibly die, voted heavily against Prop 8. Now I’m sure you think it’s because they’re starry-eyed idealists, voting how they think That One would want them to vote. But no..they voted against Prop 8 because they do not share your worldview, in fact, they reject it. They’re tired of politics driven by fear and divisiveness. They want to move your country forward. They actually believe that all men are created equal, they don’t just say that shit ’cause it makes them feel good. They really believe that every person has a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That is why gay marriage will happen. Its inevitable. So in the words of Dr. Denis Leary, get a fucking helmet. 

Anti-Flag / Right To Choose

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