Equal Marriage: It's About All Of US (On Maine's Prop 1)

On November 4, 2009 Maine voters narrowly approved Proposition 1 which denies marriage to gay couples. The vote tally was 53/47 and made Maine the 31st state to oppose same-sex marriage. In a land where our values hold that all humans are created equal, it seems that to exclude a sub-group from privileges pursued by majority groups undermines the very premise upon which our culture and political system is based. Any initiative that seeks to restrict privilege to specific groups violates the tenets which gives authority to the political system to operate. Such vote is illegitimate! Beyond democracy. John Stuart Mill speaks of the need for democracies to resist tyranny of the majority in "On Liberty."

Here's my poem:

How can a vote decide whether the state shall recognize
a union between two who are joined
by a consensual bond beyond the reach
of any political organization?

A relationship that is mutual and beautiful
a natural conjoining of two who are united first
cannot be enhanced or diminished by the lever in a voting box.

In a society that holds that all its members are created equal
It is not possible to put up for a vote the disenfranchisement
of a few of those very members who make up that populace
who too are endowed with inalienable rights to life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness

Unless its all not true
It is a Tyranny of the Majority
not Liberty such a vote portends

Thus any such vote is illegitimate
It is beyond democratic
unworthy of America

For shame California!
For shame Maine!

Your illegitimate votes smear our history
and shall be but an embarrassment
as we progress toward victory
proving the American promise true.

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[brychar66]

Nice one James! As someone who has been in 'A relationship that is mutual and beautiful' for 30+ years, I understand the outrage caused by this Proposition.

[XaveJamesGrey]

Congratulations on 30 years Charles! Thank you for watching. Best to the both of you!

[dashpoet]

Fighting for what's right, in a long tradition. Cheers to you, Mark.

[XaveJamesGrey]

Thanks Mark, appreciate your support.

[Largo64]

Excellent. I've done a couple of videos on this subject as well. I also am ashamed of my state of California. Twice now it has voted to take away the rights of a subgroup of its citizens out of pure bigotry. The first time our own state Supreme Court knocked down the terrible law. The second time they allowed it to stand. Now it will be in the hands of the SCOTUS. When they have spoken, ALL states will have to abide by the fourteenth amendment whether they like it or not.

[XaveJamesGrey]

Yes the struggle goes on. Equality will prevail. Thanks very much Larry

[bostonviewer]

Thanks...well done. We have to remember individually that we are whole and equal without the government's or heterosexuals' approval. We must show ourselves, as equal and competent citizens, in our everyday lives to those around us. We must then work very hard in our own GLBT families and communities to treat each other with greater respect and appreciation. Eventually all else will follow.

[kenballer00]

marriage between a man and a woman is the only thing that exist in the constitution. so

prop 8 and prop 1affirm the constitution

[DanceWithStrangers]

Sorry its taken me so long to get to this. Having watched this, a thought came to mind, this Maine & Californian vote reminds of history from the days of black segregation. Yet now were doing much better, perhaps this is what is waiting for equality of Homosexuality. I truly hope we get right as Maine & California are a disgrace! This was a great piece and thanks for sharing it.

[XaveJamesGrey]

Thanks very much for watching Rozeboosje.

[XaveJamesGrey]

Absolutely! Thanks for your support tinySpectacle.

[XaveJamesGrey]

Humbled by your remarks Charlie. Equality will prevail.

[XaveJamesGrey]

To New Jersey! Thanks Ida. I appreciate your generous spirit.