On Further Consideration
November 9, 2008
Breathe in.
Exhale.
Breathe in.
Exhale.
There’s so much more I could say about California’s Prop 8. Oh baby! I could blog on and on about what’s happened and all that continues to unfold; the GLBTQ protest actions, the legal attempts to repeal Prop 8, and the continuing manueuvers by conservative groups on the other side to take this horror a step further and force the courts to invalidate the existing 18,000 marriages. Do not even get me started on conservative Christian and political homophobia (a word I use cautiously and sparingly), the modern notion of traditional marriage, the blurred lines of separation between church and state, and the repeated failure of the majority to show compassion and equality for the minority, but for the time being I’m done chewing it over on this blog.
Just don’t be mistaken. I’m not over dealing with this in my personal life nor will I be until all people are treated equally under the law and all loving relationships are afforded the dignity and respect they deserve. No. I’m not over it by a long shot and I know you aren’t either. This cut deep into each one of us; those of us who are queer, our straight allies, and justice-minded people everywhere. So we continue on more actively than before to end discrimination, intolerance and inequality. And one day my friends it will come. One day.
I’m just done blogging about it. There are other bloggers and news sources that will continue to keep us informed, providing their angle on a queer perspective as events continue to play out on the streets, in churches, and in the courts. I hope you choose to stay informed because what happened last week in Arizona, Florida, and Arkansas, and what will continue to unfold in the coming months in California impacts us all wherever we live; both in the ripple effects that spread out to include every corner of the nation and world, but because what’s happening right now in a country or state far from your own home is touching directly on the lives of your brothers and sisters. This is one of those times in our history that remind us that however diverse and divided the queer community might be at times, there are bonds we share together as we move toward full equality for ourselves, for one another, and in turn for anyone who finds themselves pushed to the outside edge of society.
Here are a few blogs and news sources I keep an eye on:
- Good As You
- Queers United
- 365 Gay News
- Towleroad: A Site with Homosexual Tendencies
- Marriage Equality, USA
So if I’m not going to continue blogging on Prop 8, what will I ever blog about? How about God’s love? Grace? Compassion? How about this? How about spending some time looking together at Brennan Manning’s The Ragamuffin Gospel and seeing what it offers us in the way of insights and inspiration as Christians…and queer ones at that? I don’t know about you but after all the disappointment, hurt and frustration of the passage of four anti-gay measures I’m aching to fall into the peace, confidence, and hope that comes from being centered in Christ. I need that and I though maybe you might too.
Posted in Love and Grace, News and Events
Sweet Hope Cookies
November 9th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
YES!! Even though we need to keep our foot in the door, we must go on. The daily issues of our lives must be seen to. The hampering of our lives caused by the victory shout of the ‘winner’ needs to be addressed in terms of grace and renewal. (that isn’t every clear, but the best I can do now.) Grace… grace to us… grace to them. Lets keep our perspective in terms of God’s love and know that some who do not see are full of fear and some just lack of knowledge. The only way we can help them is to live our lives full of God’s love and grace. What else is there? Isn’t that the point of it all? How can we love less then we want them to love? Can we give mercy to the error of others in the same way we expect mercy? Can we appreciate the fullness of God’s grace to all?
It seems to me the burden of keeping a oneness in the body has fallen to us. We need to keep the ‘victor’ close to us so they are constantly reminded of the marginalized… but more … because it is our joy to love even those who do not understand. Graciousness is the greatest door to understanding and acceptance.
November 9th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
I was just at a rally for the repeal of Prop 8 in my conservative town in California. It was fantastic! Gay and lesbian couples were holding hands .. drivers passing by were honking their horns .. amazing support and a terrific crowd of people .. probably over 100 showed up. The newspapers came by. I was soooo glad that I went and experienced that crowd of acceptance right here at home.
I plan to attend more .. it’s very affirming to me in the face of such a close “majority” unconstitutional process. And that’s all I’m going to say about that.
I have read Brendan Manning’s book .. look forward to your next posts.
November 9th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
This has hurt. And, in Florida, the pain is acute because marriage was never legal for us from the start, and so to now write it into the state constitution…and stretch it to cover “marriage, or the substantial equivalent thereof”… is nothing more than a mean-spirited swipe at those of us who are the “others”.
There’s been a lot of talk about the African-American vote. Interestingly, I am a pollworker for our county during elections, and have been assigned to an African-American polling place. I am the only white person on the elections staff at that precinct, and I’m clearly a lesbian. However, I have done what I can to break down myths and misconceptions. The fact that I bring along Anne LaMott, or Barbara Brown-Taylor, or my reading for EfM has done much to help start conversations between me and my fellow pollworkers about churches, and scripture, and God. Such conversations, I think, are the beginning of what needs to happen to make us “people” and not “things” in the eyes of African-American church-going voters. Still, I noticed this election day with Amendment Two on the ballot, the man who is the deputy at the precinct refused to look me in the eyes for the first time ever, and wouldn’t engage me in conversation. He is also a deacon at his church. Perhaps he might be feeling a little ashamed? *Sigh*
My own church has been quite wishy-washy. I attended noon-day services on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The Rector was there for Wed. and Thurs. and couldn’t bring himself to inquire as to why I was crying. On Friday, the rector emeritus was the celebrant and when he saw me, he sighed, and said, “Well, I guess we’ll just have to keep working on this one.” He got it!!
All I know is that I am not trusting in people to do the right thing. God is a constant, and I have sought solace in God’s word to keep me sane. And while I’m happy Obama won, until we are all equal under the law, we are not free. And I’m not going to let this one get swept under the carpet.
November 9th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Deb–>I appreciate so much what you shared and over the past couple days my thought has been that focusing on the grace and compassion of God shown to me through Christ is the only resource I have for extending grace and compassion to those who by natural instinct I want to shout down in anger and hurt. This is one of those times when extending grace doesn’t come easily but the only chance of it coming is to be centered in it.
PJ –> I’m envious! I haven’t been to any of the post-election events though I’ve poured over every photo, story and video online. The strength that comes through second hand reports is so powerful I can’t imagine how amazing it was to be right there with everyone. Awesome!
Susan–> I hope you know how sorry I am for what you folks in Florida have experienced. It was a brutal loss and you’re right, while we most likely will have something taken from us at least we’ve tasted it and so have more of a chance of holding onto the hope that it will come again (or be held onto at the end of this mess). I hear everything you’re saying Susan and my heart is with you. I have nothing to tell you other than to assure you that no one I know is going to let this get swept anywhere. While some of the energy right now is an emotionally charged reaction from the utter despair and shock of Tuesday’s 4 anti-gay measures passing, there also seems to be a determination and resolve that we must move forward and not fall back. Yes, that an African-American is President Elect rocks our world but equality is still far having come for everyone and as you say, until all are equal none of us are truly free.
November 9th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Dear all
It was with mixed emotions that I watched as your country set history with your new president elect. As a Canadian I watched with sadness as you, my sisters and brothers had your rights stripped away. But I do draw hope that God is just even when humans are not. I also draw hope that although justice is painfully slow with grace, perseverance and hope truth will prevail. Just as I never thought I’d see a black president elected, I now believe we will see a time when all sexual minorities will have their rights enshrined in law. We must not forget although you have lesser legislation stating contrary the Declaration of Independence states that ALL men are CREATED EQUAL. The foresight of that statement at a time when African Americans were considered property, women and poor men were unable to vote and many poor people could not earn enough to ever pay off their debts to the company store is amazing. So don’t give up hope. Jesus said ‘Let not your hearts be troubled you believe in God believe also in me.’ and ‘I am come to give you life and life more abundantly.’ So I encourage everyone to live your life in God’s grace, remembering that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. You have my continued prayers for peace, justice and equality.
November 10th, 2008 at 8:49 am
There has been a lot of damage caused by both sides to both sides. It’s been a bloody battle for equality, and it’s not over yet.
Fortunately we pray to a God of redemption, a God of love and light.
There will be healing.
November 10th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Eliz–>Thank you for such beautiful and hopeful words. As you and both Susan said in your ways, even when I feel hopeless about people to do the right thing (often history has shown that they’ve been dragged kicking and screaming toward justice), I do trust justice and equality as principles that in the end triumph and that God is committed to both. It’s not about God choosing sides but about God lining up and working on behalf of the very things that define and flow out of God’s character. There within lies our hope.
Lindsey–> God can indeed and will redeem anything and I believe for that but in the meantime there’s a mess of wounded people needing our love, compassion, and understanding. So we continue on….