Damn, I Hate This Crap

Here we go again. Gays probably represent 5% of the electorate in Maine and Washington and we are the only ones with any skin in these contests. Ballot initiatives that affect only us will be decided by the 95% of voters who aren't us.  Just looking at all the players in Maine:

National Organization for Marriage — Winners Either Way

NOM  is the largest funder and the organizer of the Yes On One campaign. NOM is a business. They have already taken their cut off the top. Their donors have nothing to win or lose in Maine. In an email today, their executive director, Brian Brown, is already positioning a loss as the result having been outspent. NOM is a professional victim when necessary. However, it's a win-win for NOM. If Question One is defeated and NOM "loses," they are positioned to raise more money in the next battle. If Question One is approved and NOM "wins," they are the victorious political consultant — they are positioned to raise more money in the next battle. The more they raise, the more they make.

Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland/Bishop Malone — Losers Either Way

The diocese has tried to buy something that they don't need with money that they don't have. While closing churches and with a needier congregation, the diocese has invested over a half million dollars into forestalling the recognition of same-sex marriage in Maine. There are no benefits to the Church either way. There really are no negative consequences of same-sex marriage. The amount of ill will that Bishop Malone has created is incalculable and, probably, irreparable. This forray into politics has caused people to leave the Church. It seems unlikely that it attracted anyone to the faith. Either way this will be seen as a costly misadventure.

The Citizens of Maine — Losers Either Way

Stand for Marriage Maine has run an angry and irresponsible campaign. At the end of a political contest, people have demonstrated the ability to come together. This, however, was a cultural competition, a crusade that sought to divide people along religious and values lines. That division, pitting neighbor against neighbor, was planned and intentional. It is the only way that NOM can win these things. Unless NOM and their values are thoroughly repudiated by the voters (and a sufficient  margin to do that looks doubtful), Maine could remain divided for some time. Those in favor of gay marriage see themselves as progressive, tolerant and enlightened. Those opposed to gay marriage see themselves as defending "God's will." Reconciliation between such disparate forces will be long and difficult.

Gays, Lesbians & Their Children

For many months now, our community has endured a tirade of homophobia and bigotry. Our opponents have been essentially claiming that our ultimate agenda is to indoctrinate, recruit and possibly molest children. The hurt done by the vitriol and hate is magnified by the frustration of knowing that those who seek to ban same-sex marriage really have nothing to win or lose. I am not a Mainer but I am pissed off; very pissed off. A win today will remove some of the anger. However, either way er might be angry with a system that puts civil rights up for a vote; angrier still that a large percentage of the population hates us and fears us. If the anger subsides, we win if we win. If it doesn't subside, we lose regardless of the outcome of the vote. Of course, if we lose, we are going to be furious.