Hello my name is Cathy

[cathymm]

I am a lesbian. I live in Washington state and I am very concerned that Prop 71 will not pass. I intend to be very verbal about it. Because I am in a management position in a hospital, in fact a management position that is supposed to be a neutral position, I do not discuss politics at work. However there are lots of other people out there to talk to between now and November. I just happened to find Soul Force-what a powerful statement.
In regards to whatever the judgement is regarding disclosure of the names of people who signed the petition to get Prop 71 on the ballot I have two thoughts. One is that there is no privacy protection when signing a petition so I have no sympathy for those who are suing for privacy- they knew when they signed that there was not privacy. The thing that makes me mad and sad is their fear of being harmed. If we in the GLBT community begin to behave as opressors we are no better than those who oppress us.

[Gennee]

Welcome to the site, Cathy. I have heard of Prop 71 though I don't know much about it. I agree in your assessment in the last paragraph.

Gennee

[Emproph]

Originally Posted by cathymm

If we in the GLBT community begin to behave as opressors we are no better than those who oppress us.

I agree. One of the problems though, is that the anti-gay community is going to accuse us of oppressing them, whether legitimate or not. The best we can do is condemn any incidences of legitimate complaints of oppression on our part.

I don't know if this helps or not, but Box Turtle Bulletetin has been covering this issue at length.

That said, welcome to SoulForce

-Patrick

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by cathymm

The thing that makes me mad and sad is their fear of being harmed. If we in the GLBT community begin to behave as opressors we are no better than those who oppress us.

Hi and welcome.

We have no control over what others *think,* only over what we *do.* I suspect the outcry about fear of being harmed might be partially trumped up as media spin? Are the leaders of the anti-equality campaign the ones saying this? If so, it could be one of their 'talking points' as a means of generating support for their privacy claims. If the fear is actually genuine on the part of individuals, that is very sad, as we should not live in fear of one another. As supporters for equality, we must give others no reason to fear us - that would be ridiculous, sad, and extraordinarily deleterious to the very principle of equality itself.

Here's the thing: give your opponent no reason whatsoever to fear you. But - recognize that even with no reason to fear you, they might yet have fear of you. It's bizarre, I know, but it happens.

[BruceChris]

I wish you good luck, and a minimum of negative consequences. I am afraid that you are going to be dealing with a lot of people who are all too often steeped in fear, ignorance, and various forms of religious righteousness.

So few people understand that almost all forms of human sexuality exist on a continuoum, or rather several continuums, as opposed to a simple dichotomy.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[antiochian]

Welcome and bright blessings, Cathy. Wishing you the best of luck in your endeavors for equality. I'll definitely have to read up on Prop 71.