Life With Ellen

 

Summer came to Long Island today and I just could not bring my self indoors long enough to write a post. In any case, I do have words of inspiration for the happenstance reader. I figured I would let Ellen say it best, and in a way that only Ellen can.

Enjoy!

From the Mouth of Babes

It has been awhile since I have posted…I have done my share of writing the last several months, but not for pleasure! I completed my first year of graduate school. I thought I would never want to read or write anything ever again! That was a short lived fantasy. There is so much going in the world. Since I started school in the fall, we have elected our first black president, people in California voted YES on Proposition 8 (more on this in a bit), Connecticut, Iowa (yes, Iowa!), Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire have all enacted gay marriage. Massachusetts is celebrating its fifth year anniversary and my wife and I as well (thank you Massachusetts!).

Turns out marriage equality is quite lucrative. Since Massachusetts opened the doors to equality for same-sex couples, the state has realized an influx of money…about $111 million to be exact!

…And there is Proposition 8. Scary thing this proposition. It has been reported that an alarming number of minorities, specifically Blacks and Latinos carried the vote. I naively believe that these groups would be the last to ever deny another minority group their basic rights. How wrong I was. A very interesting study, conducted by Alison Walsh, Justin Lehmiller and Michael Schmitt published in the journal Group Process Intergroup Relations, posits heterosexual identity threat as the driving force behind opposition to same-sex marriage. Heterosexuals believe they hold a preferred status in society (heterosexual privilege…) and any threat to their perceived status, such as offering marriage to everyone, is met with fierce social competition by heterosexuals. The interesting thing is, once one explains all the benefits (and responsibilities) that marriage provides, the opposition concedes the importance of those same benefits and privileges. BUT, they want to call it civil union! It’s not what the marriage provides, but the word MARRIAGE itself that confers the status!

Now, why would Blacks and Latinos go to the polls in record numbers to vote YES on Proposition 8? This really bothered me considering that these two groups have been met with stiff social competition from the White privileged group throughout history. Sadly, the answer is real simple…human nature? Everyone wants to be better than someone else. Despite the civil rights movement, despite electing a Black president, these two groups still are at an extreme disadvantage. The only way in which they can derive a preferred place in society is through their heterosexuality, and hence have erected obstacles blocking the path to marriage for homosexuals. The barrier of choice appears to be religion.

The opposition has so conflated the argument of marriage equality with religion and fear, that the end result has been public policy based on religious arguments. THIS is constitutionally impermissible. I saw a fantastic poster board from the rally Sunday evening in NYC – When Church = State then State= Taliban. Hmmm?

At the end of the day, this fine young man has said it best, he believes he is doing the right thing. His friend’s moms don’t have the legal protections afforded opposite sex couples, and consequently Ethan’s friend is not protected. What a friend young Ethan is; what courage! And, in Colorado no less. I grew up there, and believe me, it is not gay friendly. After all, it is home to Focus on the Family. Ethan cares about his friend’s family. One thing everyone should agree on is protecting children.

Five years later, Massachusetts still stands, life goes on. My wife and I live a quiet life. We mow our lawn, take walks in the evening and nod to all the people we pass who go about their lives in a similar manner. I never thought marriage could make me so happy. I have one question for all of you out there who don’t believe that marriage should be available to everyone. Five years ago, my partner and I said “I do”. Since that time, has your marriage diminished in any way? Are you any less married than you were five years ago because of our marriage?

Same Sex Marriage – What do you mean you “don’t get it”?? – It’s about Human Rights you Jerk!!

You don’t get it???  What do you mean you “don’t get it”?  What is it that you’re trying to “get”??

HOW ABOUT BASIC, HUMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS YOU JERKS!!!!

Do not compare us to animals or even vegetables, we are human beings.

Do not make it about religion, we do not need to come to your church.  If a bill does not compel a religious institution, any religious institution, to recognize gay marriage, then do not drag your church or religious beliefs into this.

President Obama, you disappoint us!!  It is your duty to explain to this country, just like the Governor of Maine John Baldacci explained about his state’s constitution.  What does it say, you ask?  The Constitution of Maine DEMANDS all people are treated EQUALLY under the law.

President Obama – The United States of America MUST demand that ALL PEOPLE ARE TREATED EQUALLY UNDER THE LAW!!!

We, as supporters of Gay Marriage, see it as a human rights issue, one that follows the path paved by the civil rights movement.  One that you should be familiar with, Mr. President.

We will continue to fight for our civil rights !!  You all know by now, we do not believe in “IF” we will succeed, we believe in “WHEN” we will succeed.

Congratulations Iowa, Vermont and Maine!  Thanks for joining Massachusetts and Connecticut!!

California, please keep fighting the fight – Proposition 8 should be outlawed!!  Step up Obama and open your mouth!!

Hangin’ In There

Just a note to say, my baby got straight A’s !! Not a surprise, but she needn’t try so hard. Spring training is beginning. The Yankees are a mess because of Arod and we’re not short of disappointment. Luckily, with other key players in the mix … Texiera, Jeter, Cano, Damon, Nady, and maybe even Melky (or as we like to call him – Smelky !), we’re ready for an awesome season of offense. In addition to Wang and Pettitte, adding CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett is amazing. Now all we need is a little sunshine sent up north cause we’re freezing our butts off!!

Looking Forward to 2009 With My #1 Student

Just a quick note to the Universe – enough with 2008, we’re ready to move on to bigger and better with 2009!  It is too early to list all the items we are aiming for, but always keep love at the top of the list.

In a personal note to my wife… I love you my darling!  May all your dreams and aspirations continue to come true!  Always remember who your biggest supporter and number one fan is… ME!!  You make me very proud!!!

November 12, 2008 – The Day Connecticut Steps Up to Gay Marriage

It is finally here!  Come one, come all!  Do not hold back!  Do not be discouraged by what occurred in California!  If you love somebody, then say “I do”.  The cards will fall out in California, but rest assurred we will reshuffle them and carry on.

Governor Sarah Palin – Caribou Barbie or Crazy Barbie??

Frankly, I am getting tired of all these religious fanaticals that want to take away the rights of Gay America. I understand that everybody is entitled to their opinion. It is also okay to voice that opinion. But to go one step further and want to make laws, or better yet, to outlaw same-sex marriage is just ridiculous! This woman doesn’t even qualify for “Caribou Barbie” status. She is sounding like “Crazy Barbie”. It is unfortunate for John McCain that he can’t ask for a do-over on the VP nod. This woman has cost him the election. Kudos to Massachusetts, California and now Connecticut. There ain’t no stopping us now!

Connecticut Same-Sex Marriage begins October 28, 2008

Another victory! Last Friday, in a 4-3 vote, Connecticut Supreme Court struck down the state’s civil union law and ruled that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. This ruling will not be appealed as per Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and is set to take effect on October 28. Basically what the ruling stated was that a civil union, which Connecticut voluntarily brought in, was not enough because it still violated the constitutional guarantees of equal protection under the law. The New York Times on October 10, 2008 summarized the vote as follows:

“”Although marriage and civil unions do embody the same legal rights under our law, they are by no means equal,” Justice Palmer wrote in the majority opinion, joined by Justices Flemming L. Norcott Jr., Joette Katz and Lubbie Harper. “The former is an institution of transcendent historical, cultural and social significance, whereas the latter is not.”

The court said it was aware that many people held deep-seated religious, moral and ethical convictions about marriage and homosexuality, and that others believed gays should be treated no differently than heterosexuals. But it said such views did not bear on the questions before the court.

“There is no doubt that civil unions enjoy a lesser status in our society than marriage,” the court said. “Ultimately, the message of the civil unions law is that what same-sex couples have is not as important or as significant as real marriage.”

In one dissenting opinion, Justice David M. Bordon contended that there was no conclusive evidence that civil unions are inferior to marriages, and he argued that gay people have “unique and extraordinary” political power that does not warrant heightened constitutional protections.

Justice Peter T. Zarella, in another dissent, argued that the state marriage laws dealt with procreation, which was not a factor in gay relationships. “The ancient definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman has its basis in biology, not bigotry,” he wrote.”"

 Again, we are part of history being made. History that we never thought would happen in our lifetime. As we brace ourselves for the California vote on Proposition 8, we continue to embrace every victory along the way. Perhaps once they (yes, heteros) see that we actually are benefitting the economy, they will stop fighting against us. Nevertheless, we need to get to a place in this world where we do not have to run to get to the altar before Joe 6-pack votes away our rights!

Same-Sex Marriage: Fighting Proposition 8 in California

Kudos to Brad Pitt, Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw.  We applaud your support.  Banning Proposition 8, a California referendum looking to make same-sex marriage illegal, has begun gaining support from some of the heavyweights in Hollywood.   As quoted in the Daily Variety, Spielberg and Capshaw said in a statement, “By writing discrimination into our state constitution, Proposition 8 seeks to eliminate the right of each and every citizen in our state to marry regardless of sexual orientation.”  They also stated, “Such discrimination has no place in California’s constitution, or any other.”  Hopefully those same people that flock to the theaters to watch films made by these actors will support their beliefs as well.  Brad Pitt and partner Angelina Jolie have already stated they would not marry until every American has the right to marry regardless of their sexual orientation.  Right now, Massachusetts and California are the only two states where same-sex marriage is legal.  At this point in time, it appears that California will reject Proposition 8 when it comes time to vote in the Presidential election.  Only time will tell, but I will remain hopeful.

Sending Them Off For Their First Day of School

There is nothing more exciting than getting ready for your first day of school.  You go to the store to buy your binders, notebooks, pencils, etc.  When you are back home, you take them all out of the bag.  Then you put the binders together.  You arrange them, then rearrange them, then admire them.  Then you arrange them again, maybe adding some more dividers, then admire them again.  You pull out your bookbag and depending on if it is new or not, there may be some cleaning out involved.  Now you’re ready to begin… you put the binder in, then the notebooks, then some folders, then some pencils, then some pens, etc…

then you take them out, rearrange them, then put them back in again.  Oh, the dance of preparing for the first day of school.  I will never forget it.  So off my wife was to her first day of Graduate School!  It just goes to show you, some things never change!