The American people spoke with eloquence and open hearts on Tuesday when they elected Barack Obama as their president, but, at the same time in various parts of the nation, including liberal California, they turned their backs on the rights of gays and lesbians. California’s support for Proposition 8 which states simply, “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California,” affirmed that those who refuse to accept the rights of gays and lesbians at this point in time constitute the majority in the state. Protestors are expressing their dismay in many parts of California and many blame churches for expending huge amounts of money to push through the ban. Ironically, it appears an extraordinary outpouring of conservative African American voters supported ending bigotry against someone of their own color as they made clear they did not wish equal rights for gays and lesbians.
There is sadness at the idea African Americans wanted to end discrimination against themselves but were willing to support discrimination against those whose sexual beliefs are different. The only good news is the apparent emergence of a younger generation of Americans who one day will end discrimination based on sex gender just as the Obama victory marks the beginning of the end of racial hatred.
