What Are People So Afraid Of?

Over the course of this blog, I've covered many topics. And, over the course of my writing, the United States has changed drastically. Indeed, many of my opinions have changed as well.

For example, I once vowed to never go to a state that has bigoted views towards people like me. It's not that I'm pushing "gay marriage", or "gay rights". It seems to be difficult for average people to understand that the phrase I'm pushing is "equal rights", not "special rights". And why is it "special rights" only when it applies to gay people? Is it because they are bigoted? When I challenge them to give me just one single "special right" that I am asking for that they don't already have, not once have they been able to come up with one. Not once.

Arizona is back at it again. They voted down a marriage amendment 2006, but now they are trying again...

Voters may be asked to ban gay marriage in Arizona . . . again.

The leaders of both the House and the Senate introduced measures Monday to place a constitutional amendment on the fall ballot that defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

The move, which has garnered widespread Republican support, follows the stunning defeat of a marriage amendment here in 2006, when Arizona became the first state in the nation to reject an anti-gay-marriage ballot measure. (source)

And this this article that appeared in the Arizona Republic...

And really, is there anything that gets conservative pulses racing more than a bill aimed at gays?

Then again, maybe if we outlaw gay marriage - again - it'll kick start the state's economy. Maybe if we outlaw gay marriage - again - it'll improve the state's woeful public education system or the state's woeful transportation system.

Maybe if we outlaw gay marriage - again - it'll get the Legislature to take a closer look at what goes on at Child Protective Services. Another two Tucson children have died in the past few weeks while the agency was supposed to be watching.

Heck, maybe if we outlaw gay marriage - again - legislative leaders will somehow do the only job they must, by law: undertake and figure out what to do about the fact that the state is spending a billion dollars more than it has with just four months left in the fiscal year. (source)

There seems to be nothing that gets conservatives to the polls like some good old gay bashing.

It's not that I am pushing marriage equality for people like Kent and myself. Would I like to see that? Absolutely. But is it worth me tearing myself apart out of frustration because much or our liberty-loving country is willing to tear into my equal rights? No, not really. You see, I've come to expect disappointment from people, both at work and in my personal life. Being at peace with that doesn't mean that I've accepted it as right. It means that I have limited resources to give -- both physically and emotionally -- and I simply can't be bothered any longer because the majority of us don't give a damn about anybody but ourselves. Yes, I honestly believe that. I realize that I'm not very optimistic anymore. That's why I feel excitement about Barack Obama. He seems to still be filled with hope, and that is what we desperately need. And more specifically, he will not push hope at the expense of another group....

"And it [hope] lives on in those Americans -- young and old, rich and poor, black and white, Latino and Asian and Native American, gay and straight -- who are tired of a politics that divides us and want to recapture the sense of common purpose that we had when John Kennedy was president of the United States of America."

Kent and I are going to Arizona in March. I'll enjoy their scenery (and their warmer climate), and we'll spend our money. Yeah, it's kind of like paying them to kick us in the gut while we're down, but that's what our country likes to do. If you think I'm just a down person, just ask yourself, isn't this the way our country is going?

So, I've limited my exposure to politics and the like. I honestly don't give a damn what Arizona does. Whatever it is will define who they are as people. As for me, I'm still Bill -- a person who, although I've become very cynical in people and government in general -- will not give up on my principles and what I stand for. I will therefore help out those who need help where I can even though there's nothing in it for me, always be there for my friends, and help those who, if they knew I was gay, would most likely not like me very much.

That is what is missing in our country today; helping others selflessly. We put people into categories, and demonize them. And why? To stir up voters to get them to the polls, all for a few lousy votes. We fail (or refuse) to see what that does to the people who are demonized. We simply don't care. That is why this next presidential election will be a turning point for America. It's probably the most important election I've ever lived through. And it's really heart warming to see more young people involved and enthusiastic about the direction we are taking. More and more of them realize that pitting groups of people against each other is not moving our country forward and that these tactics simply divert us from dealing with larger issues. I just hope that the people of Arizona can see that as well.

During the last couple of months, I've had a friend who has been battling an illness, a couple of others who are going through very rough times with depression and medication, and one who has lost a loved one in an auto accident. This is what is important to me. People who matter. The other stuff doesn't even register on my map any longer. America will find it's way, or not.

I'm thinking of going to Idaho sometime this summer. There are some friends in Idaho I want to see, and, it may be the last time I see my brother. Idaho has gone out of it's way to put people like me in legal limbo. And I'm sure violence against gay citizens is just as high now as it has been in the past. And I'm sure the police are just as concerned about that as they have been in the past. But I can't be stopped by that. I need to see my friends. And the fact that Idaho sucks in how it treats it's gay citizens can not be my problem any longer. The state has always treated these citizens this way. I know very well. I used to live there. I will go. See my friends, and come home where I am treated with a bit of dignity. But I won't shut my friends out of my life because the state they live in sucks when it comes to treating all citizens with equality and dignity.

At some point in your life, you have to rise above these issues, because you just won't be around forever. Life is too short to let all the jerks of the world make you miss your chance at peace and happiness.