24hrs Later.....

Now the dust has settled so to speak, and the fallout from Obama's victory is apparent, I was right when I said the world would come out and congratulate him on his victory. America yesterday made so much progress on civil and social attitudes, they looked to be moving towards a goal of equality for all regardless of gender, class, race, sexuality, distinction.....

But no they take a step back.....

Proposition 8, it was a state wide ballot in California to create an amendment to the state constitution which would nullify the right to marriage for same sex couples. Whilst I personally will always sit on the fence when it comes to myself as individual getting married (the likelihood is it's never gonna happen for me), I just don't understand wtf people's problem is with it. Marriage doesn't directly affect anyone be it between same sex or opposite sex couples. Yet again religion over in the states gets involved in politics creating a fucked up vacuum, why is it always the religious right that manages to influence policy within the states. You have the GOP which is essentially Christian fundamentalists against abortion and anything which promotes sexual freedom, ffs the VP choice refers to homosexuality as a "lifestyle choice". Now this party has been hammered in the recent election, I think it will only be a matter of time before America wakes up even more, its been a long time coming admittedly but Rome wasn't built in a day and change won't happen overnight.

There is hope still there, as it stands lawsuits (2 at the present time) have been launched to declare the constitutional amendment void as it requires legislative process with a 2/3 majority. Since this didn't happen it will likely delay the effects Proposition 8.....I expect when eventually challenged the supreme court will likely overrule the vote, since it isn't representative of the 2/3 majority needed to make an amendment it can be argued that it is unevenly split...so it's likely in my educated opinion the California state supreme court will overrule the ballot and maintain the status quo, where the constitution defines marriage as between man and woman but was struck down by the state supreme court.

If it carries on this may end up in the US supreme court in Washington....if that happens and they find in favour of the opponents of Proposition 8, that would effectively legalise same sex marriage nationwide and I can just vision now how congress would react to that and the religious right. There is no way in hell an amendment would ever pass through congress to change the constitution to define marriage between man and woman......2/3 majority would be needed and also the support of the president.....given Obama is a gay rights champion just not a supporter of gay marriage (personally), it would just be vetoed. No democrat favours an amendment to the constitution which would infringe the rights of homosexual individuals, and given they control all of congress and also the presidency.....no chance!

However I do sincerely expect there to be fun and games played by the religious right, I never understand though how the left are more tolerant and take the laissez faire approach, let everything be even if they may not necessarily agree with it?

I am happy to say we live in a country which is largely secular and isn't really influenced by religion, over here you would never see the abortion issue be used as a political tool for tactical votes nor would issues of civil rights and equality be used as a political platform. I am thankful we are a considerably better adjusted nation than areas of America, I suppose we have the advantage of being influenced by Scandinavia which is probably the most liberal and open minded part of Europe there is......

Even though I don't live there....one day I hope America really does become more open minded and embrace some European ideals.

#Sigh#

Ciao! x