LGBT Americans, Confront Your Apathy

I had to speak up to the somewhat apathetic and complacent response from our community to Maine rejecting gay marriage in the 2009 election.

Video: Sean Chapin

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• lgbt
• lesbian
• gay
• bisexual
• transgender
• civil
• rights
• movement
• marry
• marriage
• maine
• california

[JavierCA2008]

Gay marriage is not a right. Marriage is between a man and a woman.

[SeanChapin1]

JavierCA2008, marriage whether gay or straight is a fundamental civil right. We can agree to disagree on our beliefs surrounding marriage, but we should treat our beliefs with dignity and respect and live and let others live.

[EPRVa62]

Good job. But to say that it has happened twice is not accurate. It has happened-I think-a total of 31 times, only the other 29 times were pre-emptive. And , as you say,it has always been about civil rights. Virginia voted to ban not only gay marriage but ANY recognition and ANY contractual agreement that attempts to apprpriate the priveleges of marriage. It wasn't just a law but a constitutional amendment in THE BILL OF RIGHTS! But what is worse than apathy is those who support a party..

[SeanChapin1]

EPRVa62, thanks for your comment. To be more specific, Maine and California are the two times when marriage equality was legal prior to gay marriage being struck down. For the other 29 times, gay marriage wasn't legal beforehand.

[kensington25]

Good points and let me assure you I have been campaigning for equality in Australia and the UK for many years. Apathy and complacency from our own "community" are one of our own worst enemies.

[filmstocker]

Thanks for posting.

But I disagree. A far more serious problem is straight apathy on this issue. Where are the liberal straights on this issue? They're nowhere to be found. There are a few exceptions, but they prove the rule. Why aren't liberal straights speaking up for civil rights? Why aren't they stopping these ridiculous votes? Why aren't they boycotting marriage, the way you would boycott a whites-only store? Gay people get enough criticism and are working their asses off on this issue.

[MamaMario13]

@JavierCA2008 thts your opinion

[TheKoolguy34]

god bless you sean we need more people like you in this world!

[muellerican]

Perhaps what needs to happen is for activists on Civil Rights of LGBT people to network with other Civil Rights Movements and to stop pretending like they are the last Civil Rights group to not attain equality. I believe in full Civil Rights for LGBT people, including marriage. But hey I'm a Puerto Rican and I'm an American Citizen who cannot vote for the President! What about Civil Rights for Uninsured people or the anti war movement? Castro Gays are such posers!

[jimbobubbadj]

Javier, what does it have to do with children, hospitals, churches. parents and free speech? Churches will not be forced to marry anybody. No Government sanctioned marriage, just civil unions and to any couple. Only churches allowed to marry.

[smackfags]

confront your shit breath FAG

[mrbudster]

I was there at Harvey Milk Plaza the night after the Maine vote. Recalling the international outpouring of protest against civil rights oppression across the nation following the prop 8 outcome, the seeming apathy on 11/04/09 was vividly palpable.

filmstocker, I agree with and understand your concern. But without consistent effort for public visibility against oppression by the oppressed, a righteous perceiving population will not be moved to action.

Sean is right. It's a war. Fight Back!

[kd1s]

That is the key difference between you and I. I'm angry, but I'm not scared. And I'm not complacent at all.

[JavierCA2008]

Well you are correct about being civil and respectful. I honestly support civil unions with the same rights as marriage. My issue is the word marriage. I just believe it is too tied to religion, etc. My bigger issue with gay marriage is not so much two "gays" being marriage as much as my issues with children, schools, parents, hospitals, churches, free speech, and other issues.