torn between not okay and maybe kind of cute ([info]kalpurna) wrote,
@ 2009-04-10 15:06:00
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ten miles above the limit and with no seatbelt
I got the Iowa news the day after it happened, and I was rushed and distracted and basically gave a mental cheer and moved on. But today I was walking back from class and Dar Williams's Iowa came on shuffle on my iPod, and I just started crying.

One of my daughters was in the workplace one day, and her particular workplace at that moment in time, there were a whole bunch of conservative, older men. And those guys were talking about gay marriage. They were talking about discussions going on across the country. And my daughter Kate, after listening for about 20 minutes, said to them: 'You guys don't understand. You've already lost. My generation doesn't care.' I think I learned something from my daughter that day, when she said that. And Ive talked with other people about it and that's what I see, Senator McKinley. I see a bunch of people that merely want to profess their love for each other, and want state law to recognize that. Is that so wrong? I don't think that's so wrong. As a matter of fact, last Friday night, I hugged my wife. You know I've been married for 37 years. I hugged my wife. I felt like our love was just a little more meaningful last Friday night because thousands of other Iowa citizens could hug each other and have the state recognize their love for each other. No, Senator McKinley, I will not co-sponsor a leadership bill with you.

- Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal

Jesus fucking Christ, I can't believe it. We are actually going to win.

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[info]impertinence
2009-04-10 08:23 pm UTC (link)
FRIGGIN IOWA WHAT THE FUCK ♥

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[info]kalpurna
2009-04-21 10:23 pm UTC (link)
I always say it's inevitable and yet I was still so shocked! THAT REALLY HAPPENED, IMP!

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]just_katarin
2009-04-10 08:26 pm UTC (link)
When Prop. 8 passed here, the only comfort I could take was in how wildly unpopular it was with youth voters here. I hate the idea that it's going to take time because I feel like GLBT shouldn't have to wait for the state to recognize that they're people and deserve the same rights but at least it's coming.

While in line for out BND date and over breakfast the next morning, [info]ladysorka and I were discussing how Conservatives are marginalizing themselves with regards to the youth vote and the shifting population demographics. I really do think that the Gay Rights Movement is a part of that and equality under the law is sort of inevitable at this point.

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[info]kalpurna
2009-04-21 10:25 pm UTC (link)
I mean, I think the time argument is the one that ultimately wins out, with this as much as with internet piracy. If you cannot successfully guide the beliefs of the >35 population, you cannot successfully guide the future of the country. It JUST WON'T WORK. The inevitability of death is the ultimate progressive force.

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[info]just_katarin
2009-04-22 04:54 am UTC (link)
Exactly! We were talking about how we think the Republican party is in it's twilight. This election has really pointed out the massive culture gap between the youth vote and the older vote. Added to that is the fact that white people won't be the statistical majority within the next 10 or so years. The Republican party has nothing to offer voters of color (unless they completely revamp their entire platform) and they're likewise marginalized from the values and interests of the youth of America.

I definitely think the time argument wins out but it still makes me angry. It makes me angry that citizens are being told they mean less, that their relationships and lives are less important and meaningful to the state. It makes me angry that we have to prove to people that same-sex couples deserve the rights that should be theirs by virtue of it just being the right thing. :/ I guess I'm just still sort of pissed about how much work there still is to do.

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[info]redbrickrose
2009-04-10 08:48 pm UTC (link)
IOWA.

We really are going to win.

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[info]kalpurna
2009-04-21 10:25 pm UTC (link)
I always said it, but oh my god, it's TRUE?!

(Reply to this) (Parent)
Here's to hoping that the remainder of the states follow Iowa's example.
[info]scenesalsa
2009-04-10 08:55 pm UTC (link)
OMGOMGOMG. I got a tear in my eye.

That is WONDERFUL news! It seriously made my day. I don't think I'll be able to keep the grin off my face for the remainder of the day.

(Reply to this) (Thread)
Re: Here's to hoping that the remainder of the states follow Iowa's example.
[info]kalpurna
2009-04-21 10:26 pm UTC (link)
It keeps occurring to me weeks later and I grin in public. Ugh, who would have thought even five years ago that this is what our political landscape would look like now?

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[info]janet_carter
2009-04-10 08:59 pm UTC (link)
Even Massachusetts still hits me like that once in a while. It's going to keep happening. ♥

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[info]kalpurna
2009-04-21 10:28 pm UTC (link)
When Tracey and Liz announced their engagement, it didn't matter how much I intellectually knew that this had been legal for years: it still felt emotionally surprising. We spend so much time struggling, and then sometimes IT FUCKING WORKS.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]emilyray
2009-04-10 09:08 pm UTC (link)
I have that quote open in a tab and I keep flicking over to reread it. It's not even my country and I still - damn, that guy is cool. ♥

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[info]kalpurna
2009-04-21 10:28 pm UTC (link)
I have no idea who he is and ILH. :DDD

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[info]bkm5191
2009-04-11 01:38 am UTC (link)
oh man that was such a beautiful thing to read. God this doesn't threaten marriage, it makes it better.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]kalpurna
2009-04-21 10:28 pm UTC (link)
I've always thought so, but oh my god, SO DO IOWANS. \o/ \o/ \o/

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]entropical87
2009-04-11 05:58 am UTC (link)
I cried when I saw the video of that speech, and I'm tearing up again just reading it. You've already lost, motherfuckers. &IOWA;

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[info]kalpurna
2009-04-21 10:29 pm UTC (link)
:D :D :D :D ♥IOWA♥

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]neverneverfic
2009-04-12 12:16 am UTC (link)
♥Iowa♥

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[info]kalpurna
2009-04-21 10:29 pm UTC (link)
iawt♥I♥

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