Out of Pod Experience

So tomorrow the Supreme Court Of The United States will decide if me and my Partner of three years will have full and equal rights under US law. I truly envy countries like Canada and other like minded Countries that already granted these protections and freedoms the most recent being France.

I'm not getting my hopes up on this. The night Proposition 8 was passed (Prop 8 was the California law passed by voters to outlaw same sex marriage after it was already granted by State Courts.) I was devastated as were many other people. I've marched, protested, donated, and campaigned over the past five years in hopes one day this would be struck down.

Yeah I'm a forum warrior at times and I mostly joke or make sarcastic remarks or gloat in space pixels going poof. But there's an element to everyone that I rather enjoy seeing in people whom I fly with.

Anyways. In seven hours, 48 minutes we'll know the decision. With the courts ruling on the Voting Rights Act earlier today I'm very skeptical at how broad this ruling with go on Prop 8 and DOMA. It's a coin toss really. There are so many variables and outcomes it's anyone's guess.

What's truly sad is the level of discrimination I've observed at people over the years not just LGBT folks. But those of other minorities from the elderly, to the disabled, to those of different color skin or beliefs it's shocking just how deep seated the roots of prejudice go here.

If anyone's rights are up for a vote what about them? What about you? What if the majority of people deemed it fit that African Americans could no longer vote in California? Or that those of different skin color couldn't marry? Interracial marriages were only granted nationally 13 years ago finally with Alabama voting to overturn it's outdated ban on people of different skin colors marrying.

I guess we'll see tomorrow. I'm spinning my wheels here waiting. Kinda curious is anyone else here as anxious as I am or directly effected? Anyways... if I do have the ability to marry tomorrow you better believe I'll be as miserable as the rest of you

Since I'm a raging bigot according to the left, all I'm going to say is that is a very divisive subject.

And, the right is only a speed bump to the left, so you'll get what you want eventually.

I feel human rights have no political affiliation. As a Veteran I swore to defend the Constitution and our legally binding documents that state All men are equal and endowed with inalienable rights. It doesn't matter what your political view ALL men are equal.

I also feel bitter with what you stated as merely "getting what I want." As if I'm robbing someone else of their Freedoms and Protections. Far from it. You have no clue what it's like rushing your loved one to the ER only to find out your insurance doesn't cover them because you both aren't legally married.

I'm still paying the seven thousand dollar hospital bill because of it...

Obama is actually more Centrist and an opportunist at times when it comes to issues. The LGBT people have been thrown under the bus by Democrats recently just in the Immigration Reform Amendments and it seems that Politicians only give a **** about their constituents when it's "convenient."

My Partner was doubled over in pain one night and ended up vomiting from the pain. we thought it could be Pancreatic issues or something worse. So I rushed him to the ER. When we got there I presented my Insurance card (I have full coverage through my work) in which I was denied extending care to him.

Regardless we had to get him treated. It was sickening. Here we were sitting trying to barter for coverage as he was doubled over. Turns out it was a massive Kidney Stone. The ran him through a scanning machine (three times and we were never told the cost) which cost a thousand dollars a scan....

Then the bill came which totaled 7,000 dollars for them telling us he had a Kidney Stone...

Had he been covered under my insurance we would have to pay a paltry 20 dollar co pay...

Being well educated has the side benefit of knowing how to word things and make the right arguments to those that are not. They probably don't care either way on a personal level, but they know what does get them elected to deal with the things that they do personally care about.

Also we don't care about gay rights here because we don't really care that much about peoples sexuality from what I've experienced, the arguments here are about semantics with regards to use of the word marriage due to civil partnerships covering all tax bases already.

And no offence, but the US health system sounds third world. No seriously, the only single nation in the developed world not to have a national healthcare system.

Isn't Medicaid supposed to take a big chunk of the tab of these expensive operations anyway in a critical scenario like your partners?

I am aware that well educated doesn't nescessarily mean intelligent, but when looking at what causes hate and prejudices it is often lack of knowledge about the other part.

Yet the majority don't accept equal rights?

I was going to pop in and express my support for the thread, but unfortunately this thread devolved quickly from discussing the issues at hand, like just what exactly happened with Prop 8 to get us here.

Instead we have political bickering.....just like Washington DC.


Discourse Is Dead.

This, a thousand times this.

In the US, politicians always pander to what turns out to be the largest and most vocal population in the country: Fundamentalist Christians. Abortion, euthanasia, gay rights, stemcell research - We could have been decades ahead if that group didn't thwart their development at every turn :/

That verdict should be coming soon and i hope progress is made sooner rather than later. With the US claiming to be 'an example for the Western world' it's ridiculous that they insist on lagging behind everyone else on such issues.