Saturday, November 15, 2008

Prop 8: Civil society? What civil society?

Steven Colbert's heartfelt comment on the passage of Proposition 8 in California.



The state of California in the US has passed Proposition 8 which amended the state Constitution to restrict the definition of marriage to a union between a man and a woman. Under this, people of same sex cannot get married.

It overrode a recent California Supreme Court decision that had recognized same-sex marriage in California as a fundamental right.

There is uncertainty over the status of already existing same sex marriages. While some legal experts believe these will be preserved, others think they could be overruled and declared illegal.

I can only imagine what I will feel if a government suit were to walk into my house one happy evening and say that my marriage is nullified because because my spouse looks/behaves differently and has different (read: own) opinions on everything and because these discomfit other people?

No. I will not allow it. As long as my ways of life and living do not kill and maim people and destroy property, I will demand to exercise my rights. Because I do my duties. And more.

Especially as I live in a country, which like the US, offers civil freedom of expression and who I love and marry is an expression of my persona.

A fascinating point: About 70% of Blacks and 60% Latinos voted for Prop 8 while 53% of Whites and Asians opposed it. Illuminating that communities who would know a thing or two about segregation would vote for segregation.

From an Indian perspective, the Prop 8 is fascinating because here in my country - homosexuals are punishable by law because of a 100-year-old edict.

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