My first diary, well, here goes.
Whether prop 8 passes and discrimination is written into the California constitution, or it fails miserably and we secure two victories in California (Obama and NoOn8)... Well either way it is just not enough.
Propositions like this will continue to be close unless we come up with a winning way to frame this debate. Years ago, when I joined dKos I didn't know what to believe in regards to framing words. Frankly I believed that if we were honest and truthful with people, that would be enough to change their minds. I've come to realize the truth about the current political world.
Understanding what you're talking about and combining that with a winning way to say it - these are both equal important parts of political debating these days. Simple fact of it is, the republican party would've self-destructed anyway, but that doesn't necessarily mean that people would've started coming in droves to our bright blue banner.
More below the fold.
In the last few years, dKos readers have learned not only what's REALLY going on, but we've also learned how to say things. I'm writing this diary for two reasons. One, I want to share my knowledge about how to effectively 'market' this issue to people. I want people to be for it, regardless of what race they are, regardless of what gender they are, and regardless of what sexual orientation they are. Two, I hope and pray that some of you can take my sentences and make them easier to say, and I also hope that some of you have some winning ideas on how to tackle this.
I've decided to put them primarily under four categories. I think that most people tend to respond to one of these four categories when looking at an issue, but there may be an elusive fifth (sixth?) category that some of you may decide to discuss in the thread below.
ANY GOOD IDEA that is strongly agreed upon WILL be updated and added into the diary. This is my first diary, but I will do my best to give you credit.
1. Economics
a. Gay people living here will move out of state. There have been studiesthat have actually shown that areas with a large gay populace are good for tech jobs.
b. Gay weddings = $$$. This is logical and a no-brainer. People who are having a wedding, going to a wedding, planning a wedding, working for a wedding are all spending money.
2. Civil Rights
a. If my civil rights can be taken away, so can yours.
b. Many of the arguments used in the 60s against inter-racial marriage are the same ones used today against gay marriage.
c. In regards to other minorities - My struggle may not = your struggle, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't help me out. Logic like that fucks us all.
Mildred Loving of the Loving v. Virginia case, June 12, 2007.
Surrounded as I am now by wonderful children and grandchildren, not a day goes by that I don't think of Richard and our love, our right to marry, and how much it meant to me to have that freedom to marry the person precious to me, even if others thought he was the "wrong kind of person" for me to marry. I believe all Americans, no matter their race, no matter their sex, no matter their sexual orientation, should have that same freedom to marry. Government has no business imposing some people's religious beliefs over others. Especially if it denies people's civil rights.
I am still not a political person, but I am proud that Richard's and my name is on a court case that can help reinforce the love, the commitment, the fairness, and the family that so many people, black or white, young or old, gay or straight seek in life. I support the freedom to marry for all. That's what Loving, and loving, are all about.
I love that Wikipedia has one of my favorite quotes on it about gay marriage. :)
3. Emotions
a. Let's face it, lots of people are going to be really depressed when you take all of that joy and happiness away from them
b. Do you REALLY want to write discrimination into the california CONSTITUTION?
4. Politics
a. the people who brought you the Iraq war, tax cuts for the rich, and think that Obama is a terrorist are supporting this. Think about it.
b. In the 60s, California was 60/40% AGAINST inter-racial marriages being allowed. The legislature had the balls to actually go ahead and pass legislation that made it legal for blacks and whites to get married. Currently in California, the issue of whether gays should be allowed to be married is aproximately 50/50. The only difference between then and now has little to do with religion, and a lot more to do with the way that politics have evolved and changed from the 60s.
Please help me and your fellow kossacks come up with effective ways of fighting bigotry.