05
Searing Pain, Shining Hope
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While the world is rejoicing with the victory of Barack Obama, the first US President of African-American descent, I was silently monitoring the gay-related Ballot Measures. In Arizona, Proposition 102 (Ban on Gay Marriage) was being decided on. The measure would amend the state constitution so that only a union between one man and one woman would be valid or recognized as a marriage in the state. In California, a similar measure was also being decided on, called Proposition 8. In Florida too, there was something similar, Amendment 2. All these states were voting Yes or No to Ban Gay Marriage. In all these three states, as of writing, the Yes’s are winning. In Arkansas, people were voting Yes or No to another gay-related issue: Arkansas Initiative 1– Ban on Gay Couples Adopting Children. Again, the Yes’s are winning.
I feel a bit sad, a tinge of searing pain at the left-hand corner of my heart. I look at the US as a model of progress, a country of forward-thinking people. I look at the US as a future version of us, Third World countries, a template of sorts. But as I look at the US now, I hope and pray for a more robust collective fortitude for the Philippines — so that we are able grow to be a better, more accepting, more humane country. When it’s our time to be progressive and advanced, I hope we can bring along our culture of caring sans discrimination, our culture of celebrating diversity. I hope we are able to build a country where love really knows no name and gender. A glimmer of shining hope. Sabi nga ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah, “isang tahimik na lugar… Kung saan walang pangalan ang pagmamahal… (kung saan) pag-ibig mo’t pagmamahal walang kinikilalang kulay o pangalan.” World Peace.
Shining hope, shining hope. Now I get reminded of the upcoming Manila Pride March on December 6, 2008. For more info, visit the official Manila Pride March 2008 website.
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Yes, it is sad that even in some states the American people voted to legalize suicide and abortion which promote a culture of death and yet they rejected gay marriage which for me is a celebration of life. Between life and death, which do you prefer? Isn’t it unfair? Well, with all their wealth and “democratic principles”, they cannot still respect other people’s basic rigths.
ric at Nov 5, 08 at 10:49 pm
“I look at the US as a model of progress, a country of forward-thinking people.”
- are you serious??? the US hasnt been progressive at all the last 20 years, actually its in a state of regression. compare the laws in spain,canada and the scandinavian countries. The US doesnt even understand modern democracy or capitalism.look at what they all got us (the global financial market) into. not to mention bush and all the war mongering the last 8 years.
Skapunkdood at Nov 6, 08 at 12:31 am
if my aunt were to read this, she’d be jumping for joy. Really, she’d be happy.
raky at Nov 6, 08 at 1:33 am
It is sad to say that the US is still backwards and regressing in terms of civil rights. My friends and I were waiting for all the results last night and to our disappointment that a festive atmosphere for a new president would be dampened by the winning of Proposition 8. I guess we still have a long way to go. Even our neighbor to the north, Canada, has legalized same sex marriage for a long time now. Most european countries have same sex marriage laws. I guess there are still a lot of ignorant and very conservative groups in this country who are treathened by gays. This is sad. It took 40 years since Martin Luther Kings assassination for us to elect our first African American president. I hope it does take this long to legalize same sex marriage in the same level.
nelson at Nov 6, 08 at 1:40 am
disheartening… really…
but it’s reality…
there really are people to cannot take the alternative lifestyle or whatever…
i thought we are in the new millennium?
paolo at Nov 6, 08 at 3:23 am
Gay marriage in California even if legalized still wont do anything with immigration, hindi pa rin EQUAL rights with straight marriage. I hope someday it will be EQUAL for all. Gays and straight.
Rommel at Nov 6, 08 at 4:04 am
I totally respect your POV whebn you said:
“I look at the US as a model of progress, a country of forward-thinking people. I look at the US as a future version of us, Third World countries, a template of sorts.”
But just to give my 2-cents worth, I honestly don’t see the US as such… we have totally different cultures and I personally wouldn’t want the future Philippines turning into a country of deprived values and ethno-centric egotism like the US.
Sure, they’ve made SOME progress on the LGBT front BUT other European countries have done FAR BETTER (ie: Gay Marriage has been institutionalized in Holland for some time now).
We may JUST be a Third-world country BUT unlike the US, we teach our kids to be respectful of their elders so they don’t go to school with guns on a blood lust. We may not be as “forward-thinking” regarding LGBT issues, at least we don’t see much hate crimes here vs the US.
Yun lang,
Malungkot nga ang nangyayari sa US on the LGBT front and I, too, am saddened by this. Nung nabasa ko it e para akong sinuntok sa tiyan… Well, there’s always Canada, pwede dun mag migrate
hehehe
Oliver at Nov 6, 08 at 6:28 am
Dont look at the US for future reference. Some part of that country is even more backward looking than us. You should look at the Netherlands and see how progressive it is in terms of policies!
AVT at Nov 6, 08 at 6:57 am
I think it’s already official, the ban for same sex marriage won on the 3 states including CAlifornia where most recently Ellen degeneres got married (52%). This will override the state supreme court ruling just this May… sad day for those who are planning to get married. Arizona at 56% while Florida overwhelmingly won by 62%.
In arkansas they also prohibit unmarried sexual partners (hetero or homo) from adopting a child or serve as foster parents
What i dont know is What will happen to those who got married before this ammendment? ma revoke ba ang mga marriage license nila?
matt at Nov 6, 08 at 7:34 am
americans opted for an african-american president who is pro-abortion… and yet they can’t allow gay people to live life the way they wanted it… is that what you call real democracy? is that what you call integration? i don’ think so…
newbie at Nov 6, 08 at 8:13 am
i was really surprised that prop 8 won in cali.. there’s a lot of democrats there.. they will have a gay rally in there right now!
joots at Nov 6, 08 at 9:25 am
it is sad, yes, but we have to remember that of all of the developed countries, america is still the most religious. it’s founders were conservative christians. the silver lining to all these is the fact that in the case of california, 48% of the voters were progressive enough to vote against the proposition. what the gay americans have going for them is thier tenacity to fight in all fronts, including a possible challenge by taking it to the supreme court. twenty years ago no african american person could even imagine having an african american president. there is hope, but people have to ask for it and fight for it.
gus at Nov 6, 08 at 11:48 am
gay people should have the same right to be miserable in their marriages just as straight couples are.
Kisses at Nov 6, 08 at 7:13 pm
yup… hehe…
paolo at Nov 7, 08 at 2:05 am
We may JUST be a Third-world country BUT unlike the US, we teach our kids to be respectful of their elders so they don’t go to school with guns on a blood lust. We may not be as “forward-thinking” regarding LGBT issues, at least we don’t see much hate crimes here vs the US.
My sentiment exactly for quite some time now. hayy..
danika at Nov 7, 08 at 11:25 am
You’re giving too much credit to a country who steals ideas from other countries to make progress. If it weren’t for third-world countries like such as ourselves, then they wouldn’t be up there in the first place!
Stop patronizing that stupid country. Even if Obama is the new president, that country has no hope of getting back to its former glory. They’re down n shambles for the remaining days of their pathetic lives!
Adrammelech at Nov 8, 08 at 8:43 am
Nakaka-depress. Nag-dedaydream pa naman ako na makapunta sa States sometime in future hoping na, by then, hindi lang sa California pwede ang same sex marriage at gay parents’ adoption… Haaay. Ipagdasal nalang natin sila.
Jamasona at Nov 9, 08 at 12:14 pm
ang daming tao sa ibat-ibang bansa ang ayaw sa america at sa mga americano. pero bakit ang dami pa ring gusto pumunta sa america? hindi lang para bumisita kundi para mag migrate.
eric at Nov 15, 08 at 3:14 pm