Holly West

Sunshine Day

Okay, for the most part, I'm thrilled.  So thrilled, I'm gonna make you watch this:

Now that I've gotten that out of my system, I do need to register my utter disgust and dismay that Prop 8 passed in California.  I can't believe anyone would even consider voting for a proposition that begins with the words "Eliminates the right of..." but apparently 52% of California voters saw no problem with that and let this vile Proposition pass.  Congratulations, California.  Now you can tell your children you "protected" them by taking away the rights of others (and for about 10% of them, their own civil rights)--I'm sure they'll thank you for it.  But don't worry, chickens gained civil rights, so I guess we're even.

To be certain, California is not the only state that said a collective "fuck you" to a group of their citizens yesterday.  Florida and Arizona both passed same-sex marriage bans.  Arkansas passed a ban on adoption by same-sex couples.  Even as we were making history by voting in the first African-American president, we were taking huge steps backward in the fight for civil rights.

Read this post.  It's good, and it's written from a perspective I just can't give you.

Now back to Obama.  I think he's going to be a really great president, and not just compared to what we've endured for the last eight years.  I do believe he has an agenda--and that agenda is helping the American people to live happier, healthier, and more prosperous lives.

As Kate Harding so eloquently writes:

"It’s incredibly hopeful to finally be thinking of my new president as a tool in the useful sense, not the slang one."

I especially like the insightful article in The Onion today.

"Carrying a majority of the popular vote, Obama did especially well among women and young voters, who polls showed were particularly sensitive to the current climate of everything being fucked. Another contributing factor to Obama's victory, political experts said, may have been the growing number of Americans who, faced with the complete collapse of their country, were at last able to abandon their preconceptions and cast their vote for a progressive African-American."

"Obama's victory is being called the most significant change in politics since the 1992 election, when a full-scale economic recession led voters to momentarily ignore the fact that candidate Bill Clinton had once smoked marijuana."

More than anything, however, I am glad to be able to go back to posting the things that really matter:  knitting, jewelry, painting, dogs...

NO on Prop 8: Closing Arguments

Are you willing to amend the Constitution of California for the sole purpose of eliminating a fundamental right for one group of citizens?

I am voting NO on Prop 8 because I am unwilling to do this.  If Prop 8 passes we are setting a dangerous precedent for the revocation of fundamental rights now and in the future for all citizens of this state.  I am compelled to write this not only because I have friends and loved ones who will be directly effected by this current attempt to discriminate, but also because I believe deeply that we are all diminished when we allow bigotry to flourish.

If Prop 8 passes, Californians will be writing discrimination into our state constitution for the first time.  At a time when it's crucial to move forward from the mistakes of the past, the passage of Prop 8 will be a huge step backward.

If you are considering voting yes on Prop 8, then I imagine there are a few reasons (possibly in combination) for this:

1)  Your religious beliefs and/or church does not support the right of gays and lesbians to marry or your personal belief is that homosexuality is wrong/sinful and should not be validated through marriage.

Arguing against someone's religious or personal beliefs is difficult, especially when I don't share them.  However, I come from a sincere and devout religious background, and at one time I did believe, passionately.

I do understand that many of you are tempted to vote yes on Prop 8 because deep down inside you are not ready to accept that gay and lesbian relationships are equal to relationships between men and women, especially if your church or religious doctrine forbids it.  I actually sympathize with you for that, and understand that you might be having a moral struggle on this issue.  My hope is that before going into that voting booth on Tuesday, you understand that civil marriage has NOTHING to do with your own personal religious beliefs.  To use an example, I am married and I am an atheist, but my marriage is no less legally valid than yours, despite the lack of religion.

2)  The California Supreme Court acted wrongly in over-turning Prop 22, which 61% of the voters approved in 2000. 

Briefly, Prop 22 was an initiative statute that specified in the California Family Code that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."  In May 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled that this statute was unconstitutional, and since June 2008, same-sex couples are allowed to marry in California.

Proponents of Prop 8 argue that the California Supreme Court acted wrongly in "overturning" the will of the people.  However, the truth is that they did their job.  Supreme Court judges are given the task of interpreting and protecting the Constitution, and it is their duty to rule on whether or not a law is unconstitutional.  Just because Prop 22 was passed by a majority vote does not make it constitutional, which the judges' ruling confirmed.

In fact, the California Supreme Court has a history of setting precedents in marriage rights.  In 1948, it recognized marriage as a fundamental right and became the first state court in the country to strike down a law prohibiting interracial marriage.

3)  Prop 8 is not discriminatory because California already has domestic partnerships, which offer the same legal benefits as marriage.

It is true that domestic partnerships offer most of the legal benefits of marriage.  There are, however, certain exceptions, mostly with regard to the creation and dissolution of domestic partnerships and some tax issues.

Domestic partnerships, while at the time being a great step forward in the extension of the fundamental rights of same-sex couples, are now recognized as not equal to marriage.  Because they do not have the same social recognition as marriage, same-sex couples are routinely denied important rights in situations where one partner needs medical attention, or when life-or-death decisions have to made.

Gays and lesbians want the same things as heterosexuals:  marriage, family, and social acceptance.  The deserve equal treatment under the law.

4)  You believe the misleading ads of the Yes on Prop 8 campaign and think that children will be taught about homosexuality in schools.

This is simply not true.  California law prohibits children being forced, against the will of their parents, to be taught anything about health and family issues at school.  Whether or not these subjects are taught is up to individual school districts, and parents can "opt out" if they wish.

If parental consent laws are not being followed your school district, then do your part to make sure they are followed.  This is important for any subject matter that parents might find objectionable.

5)  My church might be forced to perform marriages for same-sex couples or lose their tax-exempt status.

The California Supreme Court decision overturning Prop 22 specifically states that “no religion will be required to change its religious policies or practices with regard to same-sex couples, and no religious officiant will be required to solemnize a marriage in contravention of his or her religious beliefs.”

Think about it.  In California, medical professionals are legally able to deny treatment, even if it is deemed life-saving, if it conflicts with their religious beliefs.  In this atmosphere, it is highly unlikely that the state will ever force religious officiants to perform marriages they don't agree with.

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I hope this has cleared up any questions you might have about Prop 8 and that you will join me in voting NO on this discriminatory and divisive proposition.

NO on Prop 8: Letter to HGTV

As I am in the middle of re-doing and re-organizing parts of my house, I have been watching a lot of HGTV lately.  HGTV has always been one of my favorite channels, and I watch it regularly.  However, over the last week I have seen several of the offensive and misleading commercials in support of Prop 8.  In response, I wrote them the following letter:

To Whom it May Concern:

Over the course of the last week (October 20-25) I have seen several "Yes on Prop 8" commercials on HGTV.  I am extremely disappointed and offended by this.  Prop 8 itself is an attempt to take away the right of same-sex couples to marry--it is a vile attempt by ignorant and intolerant groups to strip people of their rights. 

I have always been struck by the seemingly "gay-friendly" attitude of HGTV as many of its shows feature gay couples, and at least one show features an openly gay host.  It is surprising to me that HGTV would accept advertising dollars from the yes on Prop 8 campaign as is completely at odds with the pledge of inclusion and diversity on the Scripps Network website.

I understand that HGTV and its affiliates derive income from advertisers, but surely there must be some choice of which advertising dollars to take.  I am a very big fan of HGTV but cannot abide by your showing the misleading and offensive commercials that support Prop 8.  Please take these commericals out of your advertising schedule.

Sincerely,
Holly West

It really bothers me that a TV network that boasts of its diversity on its website would accept advertising dollars from the Yes on Prop 8 campaign.

If you see adverts for the Yes on Prop 8 campaign on other TV stations, take a moment to contact them and voice your opinion.

No on Prop 8 - Personal Stories

As you all know by now, I am a strong proponent of the right of same-sex couples to marry.  I am a heterosexual woman who has been married for ten years to a wonderful person named Mick.

By virtue of being heterosexual, my marriage is not at risk from Prop 8, which seeks to take away the right of same-sex couples to marry.  Therefore, my personal story might not have much impact on those who support Prop 8.

What about those people whose marriages are at risk?  How do they feel about it?  How is a civil union different from a marriage, and why isn't it enough?  It boggles my mind that anyone would think it's okay to take away the right of a loving couple to marry.  I hope the stories I've linked to below will help you understand why it is so important that Prop 8 does not pass.

Tom & George
They are a couple together for ten years who had a wedding ceremony seven years ago.  When the California Supreme Court recognized their right to marry in June, they legally married in August.

No On Prop 8 Personal Story
"These have been magical, blessed days for us. Some want to take the marriage away from us, because they don't know us. They hold hatred in their hearts for us. They must. Why else would you take away anyone else's rights? Why deny people their magical, blessed days?"

SF Lesbian Wedding
"They say every woman dreams of her wedding day. As a child, I never did. But if I had, I don’t think I could have imagined a day with more meaning. "

Del Martin & Phyllis Lyons
Del and Phyllis legally married on June 16, 2008 after being together over 50 years.  Del died at age 87 on August 27, 2008.  The groundwork for Del and Phyllis to marry began sixty years ago when 40 states had criminal laws that prohibited whites and blacks from marrying.

CajunBoyLBG says it well when he writes:  This is a stark reminder that someday YOU might be part of a group some deem "less than human" and "unworthy of Constitutional protection". If you don't do the right thing now, will others be there for YOU if the whackjobs come for you?

Indeed.

When you cast your vote on November 4, remember that your vote will effect the rights of real, human, flesh & blood people.  Vote NO on Prop 8.

An Open Letter to Friends & Family Who Support Prop 8

Dear Friends & Family,

 

I am writing this letter to urge you to vote NO on Prop 8, which seeks to eliminate marriage for same-sex couples.

 

Prop 8 will take away the right of same-sex couples to marry in the state of California.  They have had the right to marry in California since June 18, 2008.  Their marriage licenses are valid, legal, and no different than yours and mine. 

Having a marriage recognized by your church or religion is different from civil marriage.  If you attend a specific church, you probably have both a civil marriage and a marriage recognized by the church you attend.  I only have a civil marriage.  Nobody is trying to force any church or religion to marry same-sex couples, nor are they asking churches or religions to recognize civil marriages as fulfilling the requirements of marriage of a particular religion.

 

Taking away the fundamental civil rights of otherwise qualified adults is wrong.  Don't use your religious beliefs, which are arguably the most precious thing in your life, as an excuse to descriminate.  You may not like to hear it, but if you support Prop 8 that is exactly what you're doing.  What if someone was trying to deny you the right to legally marry the person you love because you don't share their religious beliefs or because your marriage is not recognized by any religious body?  Or if you do belong to a specific religion, is my marriage any less valid than yours, just because I am not married in a church?  Or because I don't have children?  Of course not.  In the state of California, my marriage is just as legal and just as valid.  So should it be for same-sex couples, whose relationships deserve the same respect and validation as ours, regardless of religious beliefs.  Marriage brings emotional, social, and financial benefits that are being denied to thousands of American citizens every day.  That descrimination cannot continue.

 

My marriage is the most important thing in my life.  That is why I am so passionately in favor of the rights of same-sex couples to marry if they choose to.  I know how wonderful marriage can be and don't want other loving couples to be denied that right.  I can't imagine how it would feel if someone was trying to take that away from me, can you?  That's exactly what Prop 8 is trying to do to same-sex couples. 

 

I'm asking you to do the right thing and not use your religious beliefs as an excuse to descriminate.  Your beliefs are too important to lessen by doing that.

 

Holly

Don't Eliminate the Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry - Vote NO on Prop 8

Now and then I am lulled into the false reality that as a group, humans have acheived some degree of enlightenment.  Then I remember that we are still actively and legally descriminating against each other and I am brought crashing back to earth.  In this case, I'm talking about marriage descrimination, specifically, marriage descrimination for same-sex couples.

Actually, in the state of California, we officially stopped the descrimination on June 17, 2008.  Unfortunately, Prop 8, which seeks to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry, will be on the ballot in November.  Eliminating the rights of adults who want to participate in marriage, a legal institution which provides financial, social, and emotional benefits not available through domestic partnerships (which were legalized in 1999), is not only wrong, but morally reprehensible.  Same-sex couples already have the right to marry legally in California, and Prop 8 seeks to eliminate that right. 

Here's the deal.  In 2000, California voters approved Proposition 22, which stated that "only marriage between a man and a woman is considered valid and recognized in California."  Despite this, in 2004, San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom mandated the issuing of marriage licenses to same-sex couples in San Francisco, which resulted in almost 4000 marriages.   These marriages were later annulled by the California Supreme Court, and the city of San Francisco began a legal challenge on behalf of these couples which led to the May 2008 California Supreme Court ruling that limiting marriage of same-sex couples was unconstitutional.  The court refused to stay its order, and as of June 17, 2008, same-sex couples have the legal right to marry in California.

Between June 17 and September 2008, over 11,000 same-sex couples have legally married in California, and by November, there will be many more.  These marriages are recognized and valid, and they are no different from marriages between opposite-sex couples.  Furthermore, if Prop 8 passes, these marriages will almost certainly remain valid, as constitutional scholars agree that the amendment proposed in Prop 8 will not be retroactive.  That means that even if Prop 8 passes, thousands of same-sex couples who are already legally married in California will remain legally married.  Which is as it should be.

As the election approaches, I will be writing more about this issue, as I am very passionate about it.  Let there be no mistake:  Prop 8 does not protect marriage.  It eliminates the fundamental rights of human beings.

Bejesus Saves

I promise this blog will not be so political or issue driven for very long.  I'm just in the mood to spout opinions, dearies, and I'm going to indulge.  Besides, I have at least three knit projects I need to post, plus several pieces of jewelry.  Oh, and a master bathroom re-do that includes cabinets refinished by moi.  The fluff will return pronto.

Today, however, I want to talk about confidence--specifically, lack thereof.

The idea that John McCain might end up being president (and worse--Sarah Palin might be VP) scares the bejesus out of me.  Frankly, I need my bejesus--it keeps me warm at night, and I don't have a lot to spare right now.

Unfortunately, the last eight years have convinced me that my political views and values are not in sync with the rest of the country.  I first lost confidence in the voting decisions of my fellow Americans on November 7, 2000.  I went to bed that night thinking Al Gore had been elected and woke up to find that George W. Bush was our president.  Whilst this was indeed a grave disappointment, I could forgive them (American voters) for that, because really, what did they know about how the man would govern?  Fast forward to 2004 when George W. Bush was re-elected.  I honestly couldn't believe it.  In just four short years, the man and his administration had lied to us in order to justify an invasion of another country, thus beginning a war that would lead thousands of American troops to their deaths (not to mention Iraqis), all the while stripping away many of the freedoms these men and women were fighting for in the first place.  These are but a few of the Bush Administration's many transgressions, but they are certainly among the worst.

Americans voted him in again anyway.

What is so obvious to me apparently isn't so obvious to other American voters, many of whom continue to support George W. Bush and his corrupt administration.  And while John McCain strikes me as a more sincere politician with some kind of a moral center, choosing Sarah Palin as his running mate was a slap in the face to anyone who has even moderately liberal views, let alone a pro-choice, pro-gay, anti-war atheist like me.  Because of these fundamental differences in world and social views, there is really nothing McCain can say or do that would convince me to vote for him.

There are, of course, conservatives just like me who wouldn't vote for Barack Obama if he actually were the second coming of Christ.  There's really nothing I can say about them except we will have to agree to disagree.  The voters I worry about most are the undecided ones who still haven't decided between Obama and McCain.  Voters who are disgusted by the Bush Administration but not ready to vote for a liberal democrat.  Voters who have been scared shitless by terrorism and buy into the claim that we are safer because of George W. Bush and that by extension, only McCain can keep us safe.  And worst of all--lifelong white democrats who would never call themselves racist but just can't stomach putting a black man in the White House.

I can see why a politician like John McCain might appeal to those voters, and since I've been let down by the last two elections, I have no confidence that I won't be let down again.  But I shouldn't say "let down," because American voters were exercising their right to vote as they see fit.  It just saddens me that what they see seems to be so different from what I see. 

A couple of years ago, when I was training for a marathon, every couple of weeks I was updating my running playlist.  One of the songs I ran to for weeks was by Morrissey, called Irish Blood, English Heart: 

I've been dreaming of time when to be English is not to be baneful, to be standing by the flag not feeling shameful, racist or partial.

Substitute American for English, of course, but these lines resonated with me.  I have never been someone who has bought into flag-waving patriotism, but I realized for the first time in my life I was actually ashamed to be an American.  My version:

I am desperate for a time when being American is not to be painful, to be standing by the flag not feeling shameful, racist, or fearful.

I hope that time comes in November.  In the meantime, I will be hording my bejesus so I'll have some in reserve.

Change is in the Air

Ah!  It's fall, my favorite time of year.  Actually, I'm not sure if it's actually fall yet, but let's pretend it is for the sake of this post.

You may have noticed that I haven't been posting lately.  I haven't been doing much of anything lately.  All right, that's not strictly true, but I certainly haven't been writing about or taking pictures of anything I've been doing, so no blog posts.

But I'm thinking that has to change, because if there's one thing I hate, it's a blog that's never updated.  I've been feeling constrained by my blog a little bit though because I've tried really hard to keep it about my creative endeavors and not much about personal matters or opinions.  It's not that I want to get all poltical or touchy-feely on you, but hey, these are troubled times, and sometimes the girl has thoughts that don't have much to do with gemstones or yarn or lipgloss.

So with change in mind, I've updated my blog "theme," and I plan on expanding, at least slightly, the topics I blog about in the hope that I may be a little more prolific.  Lest you think this is blogging for the sake of blogging, it's actually an attempt to write something, anything, on a regular basis, because this is a habit I simply must get into if I'm ever going to get that freakin' novel written.

Let's begin, shall we, with 5 things you may or may not know about me, but that inform many of my choices and attitudes about life:

1)  I don't work for a living, which is a really cool thing.  However, just like everyone else, I struggle with identity and finding a "role" for myself, which is why I'm constantly doing new things.  Sometimes people use their jobs to define themselves--it's so easy to say I'm a "doctor" or "lawyer" or "teacher," but I can't do that and honestly, it makes me feel awkward.

2)  I am registered as a Green Party member, but I mostly vote democratic.  I considered registering as a democrat for this election, but decided against it because I still find the democratic party and many of it's politicians way too conservative for my liking.  I guess I would define myself as Green, with some vague Libertarian tendencies, 'cause basically, I don't want to be fucked with by the government.

3)  I am an atheist.  I don't believe in God or any other "magical thinking."  What I should probably say though is that there is no [scientific] evidence to support the existence of God, and so I don't believe.  Since I come from a religious (Catholic) background, it might be easy to assume that I am atheist out of anger or resentment but this is simply not the case.  My personal quest for truth led me to this place and I do not regret it, nor do I apologize for it.

4)  I struggle with my weight and self-image.  Over the last three years I have lost over 25 pounds and more or less successfully maintained the loss.  For the first time since childhood I actually have a positive image of my body and in general, myself.  It would've been nice if this had come about through something other than weight loss (like simply accepting myself for who I am and disregarding societal pressure to become thinner) but ultimately, I don't really care.  I am proud of this accomplishment and am thankful to finally have the weight off my body and more importantly, off my mind.  Which isn't to say that I don't think about it, because in order to maintain my weight I've obviously got to think about what I eat.  It's just not anywhere near as punitive as it once was.

5)  I am not really a feminist, except when it comes to reproductive choice issues.  I am a woman who has chosen not to procreate and I believe passionately in women having easy and affordable (like free) birth control on demand.  Someone told me once "If men were the ones who had children, there would be abortion on demand."  Methinks this might be true.  That said, I believe in pregnancy prevention, not necessarily in pregnancy termination, and folks, if you think your reproductive choice isn't at risk, you're wrong.  My last doctor actually refused to prescribe me birth control on the grounds of her religious beliefs.  I left the office in tears, and then felt a sort of terror.

If you have a blog it would be cool if you wrote 5 things about yourself--but dig deep--at least deeper than "my favorite color is blue."  Put the link in my comments because I'd love to read them!