Make it a gay-old time

[cbayer]

Joel Stein, LA Times, 5/30/08

/snip/

C'mon, senior citizens, vote for same-sex marriage -- it's the future.

I'm addressing you specifically for two reasons. First of all, you're the only people who still read the newspaper. Second, this November, your vote on a proposed California constitutional amendment will determine whether the state again bans gay people from getting married. That's because, according to a Field poll released Tuesday, while the majority of Californians under 50 support same-sex marriage, only 36% of senior citizens do. So your vote could very well overturn the wishes of everyone else because, as with newspaper reading, you're the only people who vote. When you guys die, we're going to make all of our political decisions by asking questions of a Magic 8-Ball.

/snip/

The whole article is really hysterical. Enjoy!




http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-stein30-2008may30,0,7603308.column

[JuniperLea]

1. I would think divorce lawyers would lobby for same sex marriages

Every gay relationship I've ever witnessed was exactly like a hetero relationship... I assume there will be the same number of divorces.

[cbayer]

2. Yes, they probably smell money

:rofl:

[Tab]

5. It would increase the wedding industry a good 20%

Everything from bankruptcy lawyers to divorce lawyers to bakeries to wedding planners. Who doesn't want an increase in business?

And I agree - gays and heteros break up just as badly (or as commonly) as each other. There's nothing magical about a gay relationship except that it's legally verboten.

[JuniperLea]

8. I was thinking about that a couple of weeks ago

My home town of Long Beach, CA, had it's 20th anniversary gay pride festival... I was thinking of a full-service chapel with cakes, reception rooms... raucous to traditional... which would also describe that festival:)

[nichomachus]

6. The lawyers already have this

with domestic partnerships in CA, which have to go through the same divorce process as regular marriages.

I can't speak for the numbers in relation to hetero marriages, but many of the ones I've seen -- I worked in divorce court until recently -- tend to be really bitter.

One reason is that a lot of gay people went into the registered partnerships to make a political point or without thinking through the ramifications. They didn't realize that their boyfriend or girlfriend, once partnered, was automatically entitled to half their assets or half their business. Many of the relationships tended to be asymmetrical in terms of financial resources -- one was established and well off and the other was not. Some did it as a lark, and ended up fighting for things they had worked years for.

One factor is that for the domestic partnership, all you had to do was sign a paper and send a check in to the state. So, it seemed like a cool thing to do.

This is why I caution people who want to rush to CA to get married to think things through -- I'm not saying don't do it -- just be aware that breaking the relationship up (and it happens) is 100 times harder than getting into it, even for hetero people. The amount and complexity of the paperwork for even a routine divorce is daunting. Where there are assets or children involved, it can be very time consuming and expensive.

I don't know how many clients I worked with told me the exact same thing: If it was as hard to get married as it is to get divorced, you wouldn't see so many people getting married.

ON EDIT: And "amicable divorces" are like unicorns. They sound beautiful, but I've never seen one. Actually, I've seen a few -- amicable divorced not unicorns -- but they are extremely rare, even when they start out that way.

[TomInTib]

3. That was one of the funniest things I have ever read. KnR

I am going to send that one all over the planet.

The last line made me laugh right out loud.

[cbayer]

4. I know!

I had to read some of the lines over and over because they were so funny. I loved it!

[Zuiderelle]

7. Very funny article. Some stupid comments under it there, but great article.

[cbayer]

9. I hope people actually opened the link and read it.

I had it read out loud to me first thing this morning, then had to go back and re-read it because it was so funny and to the point.

[mitchtv]

10. I didn't think much of the article as a senior

I felt it was patronizing But who gives a fuck I picked out my wedding ring today

[cbayer]

11. Aww, I am sorry.

It was so tongue in cheek and teased both seniors and gay people while making a really important point. My definitely senior husband and my almost senior self both found it funny. I did not post it to offend anyone.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

[mitchtv]

14. Oh don't get me wrong, I don't offend easily

or get upset. I just thought it was a lame attempt to be funny. just fell short IMO

[nichomachus]

16. As a senior, I found it hilarious

[mitchtv]

17. I found it more appropriate to my parents

and not my siblings ( all older)

[Maven]

12. !!!

"I get that gay people make you uncomfortable. You didn't have gay people when you were growing up. Instead, your straight selves and your straight friends enjoyed straight nights out at Gilbert and Sullivan operettas before coming home to put on Liberace albums and watch game shows starring Charles Nelson Reilly and Paul Lynde."

:rofl:

[cbayer]

13. I like this part, too.

I know that picturing gay people having sex skeeves you out. But if that were a test for being married, we'd have a constitutional amendment pulling your marriage license at age 60. In fact, you and the gays have more in common than any other demographic groups. You both like watching old movies, cleaning your house, playing with other people's kids and cutting your hair too short.

[TechBear_Seattle]

15. Honored to give recommendation 5

Now, get thee to the Greatest page so others can :spray: all over their keyboards.