After reading BiPM's wonderful diary today, a possibly controversial/unpopular idea occurred to me that perhaps we shouldn't continue to pursue or fight voter's referendums via the ballot for the next few years. This will no doubt sound crazy to many people but I think it makes a certain amount of sense. Consider:
- Putting this to the people's vote generally does not seem to be working as a strategy for us.
- The idea that people can vote on marriage runs contrary to the very idea that these are rights protected under the constitution. Not my neighbor, the Catholic Church or even the president should have absolutely any say in my right to marry and pursue my own happiness with my partner. It's nobody's damn business but my own.
- We are currently splitting our resources far and wide by pursuing a "state by state" sway the voters strategy.
I'm not saying give up. Let's fight tooth and nail in the courts whenever and where ever a referendum arises. But trying to sway voters seems futile to me at the moment. I for one am just tired of begging. I feel insulted and demeaned by the ballot process.
I say this as someone in California who currently can't marry my partner. I also still face the possibility of leaving the US because my partner is from the UK and the federal government does not recognize my relationship.
Is this a crazy idea? Maybe. I just thought I would put out there for the peanut gallery. Feel free to disagree strongly!