Keith Olbermann on gay marriage

I'm busy working on columns and presentations that are overdue, and overheard this righteous rant by Keith Olbermann on California's recent encoding of intolerance and homophobia into its state constitution.

If you voted for this Proposition or support those who did or the sentiment they expressed, I have some questions, because, truly, I do not understand. Why does this matter to you? What is it to you? In a time of impermanence and fly-by-night relationships, these people over here want the same chance at permanence and happiness that is your option. They don't want to deny you yours. They don't want to take anything away from you. They want what you want—a chance to be a little less alone in the world. Only now you are saying to them—no.

And I have to smile at the photo of one protest sign -- "When do I get to vote on YOUR marriage?"

I very much want to marry my beloved. I want to publicly demonstrate my commitment to her, just like straight people get to do. And I can't. Just like slaves couldn't, in the 1800s, and mixed-race couples couldn't, in the 1900s. How the @#$%  long is it going to be before the government recognizes my marriage? And, perhaps more importantly, have you spoken out about marriage equality to your friends and colleagues? The only way that I will be able to legally marry my beloved is if straight people start advocating for the rest of us. Thank you for your support.

Comments

[Steve Sears]

Mary Ellen, you rock. Thanks for your frankness and your passion!

I have been to many of your talks and always leave jazzed up about my profession. Maybe some public speaking on this topic should be on your agenda too?

[Verna Wilder]

Thank you for this post, Mary Ellen. We have to keep speaking out - to friends and colleagues and family and to the public.

[Karol]

In early days of new millenium bunch of greedy divorce lawyers and crooked family court judges met at a Restaurant at Osgoode Hall in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and discussed ways how to expand their divorce ripoff scam.
One of the lawyers asked; how come we cannot rip off gays and lesbians, who seem to have quite a lot of money, when they break-up their relationships??
One of the judges responded; we cannot legally grant them a divorce before they have legal right to marry.

This simple remark created new "human rights struggle" that we are witnessing today.

If you do not belive me just check the dates:Halper decision and "legalisation" of gay/lesbian marriages June 10, 2003, sham lesbian marriage June 18, 2003, alleged separation in sham lesbian marriage on June 23, 2003. Separation agreement is allegedly dated April 30, 2004. Divorce petition based on one year separation is issued on June 15, 2004 (less than a year separation). Justice Mesburn conducts hearing on sham divorce on September 13, 2004. (all events take place while Canadian Parliament is not in session). Justice Mesburn releases her decision on November 19, 2004. Supreme Court of Canada releases their reference on Same Sex Marriage on December 9, 2004.

http://www.samesexmarriage.ca/docs/Petition_divorce.pdf
http://www.samesexmarriage.ca/legal/div210704.htm
http://www.justice.gc.ca/en/news/nr/2003/doc_30946.html
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/samesexrights/beforethecourt.html

It is very clear from Madam Justice Ruth Mesbur's endorsement that she willingly colluded with Ms. Martha McCarthy and other individuals in granting this sham divorce instead of throwing it out of her Court and penalising all parties involved for submitting to the court Divorce Petition containing false information, perversion of Canadian laws and for scandalising the Court.

[Mary Ellen Bates]

To answer Suzanne, this doesn't have anything to do with librarianship. This is where I fulfill my promise to "contribute white noise to the blogosphere", and why I have a "personal stuff" tag.

[Suzanne]

Interesting post, but what does this have to do with librarianship?

[~Kathy Dempsey]

I love Keith and his rants, and this is another great one!

[Scott Brown]

Great rant. Here in CO a couple of years ago Marilyn Musgrave tried to do the same thing - thankfully it was defeated, but I don't think it will be the last time someone will try to write discrimination into law. And thankfully Marilyn was also ousted from office this year as well.