Election Reflection #4: Gay Marriage Bans

by Jen Nedeau · 2008-11-09 19:49:00 UTC
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In an election which created joy and jubilation around the world, many are feeling bittersweet about the landslide victory of Barack Obama due to measures effectively banning marriage rights for same sex couples in several states.

Ann over at Feministing shares a brief run down of the disappointing passage of several anti-equality measures in California, Florida, Arizona and Arkansas.

Proposition 8 in California: Passed. This is such a crushing loss. I went to bed last night before the final results were in, and woke up to the news that the people of California actually approved the gay marriage ban. So devastating.

Amendment 2 in Florida: Passed. Yet another gay marriage ban.

Proposition 102 in Arizona: Passed. As Dana noted previously, "Arizona became the first state in the nation to reject an anti-gay marriage amendment in 2006, but they're likely to pass the measure this year, now that it has been stripped of language that also denied domestic partnership benefits to hetero couples."

Act 1 in Arkansas: Passed. Now gay couples are unable to adopt or foster-parent children. This from a state with 3700 children in the foster-care system, and only 1000 foster homes. Disgusting.

The passage of these ballot initiatives indicate a cultural void of understanding when it comes to gay rights. These results have delineated where our efforts as champions of equality need to be focused now more than ever in order to ensure that equal rights are delivered to these individuals.

Jen Nedeau Jen Nedeau is a media relations professional and a writer based in New York City.
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