Blog 3: The Heated Debate on Gay Rights
Summary:
Many people in this society have a tough time
accepting gay marriages. In this article by Adam Nagourney he discussed a
situation that happened in California. It started by a simple request when a
gay activist asked the mayor of Porterville to proclaim the month of June.
However when the mayor agreed to sign the proclamation, it was an issue and
seen as a sin from many people’s viewpoint. People begin to cite scriptures
from the bible as a way to halt her decision, and the city council members even
stated that they would not participate in signing the document. This issue
raised so many eyebrows that as of last week, Ms. Virginia Gurrola became
former mayor of Porterville. This happened after an unexpected reorganization
meeting and her council members voted her out. Majority of California is seen
as an increasingly Democratic State; however there are still places in
California with intense conservative regions, such as Porterville.
Mr. Hamilton is the mayor that has replaced Ms.
Gurrola, and he once believed proclamation 8, which came from his religious
stance and banned gay marriage before it appeared in the Supreme Court. He felt
as though the decision to vote out Ms. Gurrola was right because she is
supposed to be an advocate for the Council, and she made that decision on her
own without the support of her council members. Since this was such a popular
topic, in the Council meetings, it even captured the large attendance of
Mormons and members from the Church, which seems to be a powerful source in
California. Of course they were against the homosexual conduct and the preacher
made a sermon about it, and even posted it to the church’s website. Porterville
has been under a lot of intense debate during this season; with many feeling
uncomfortable with homosexuality and viewing it as a sin.
Analysis:
This article sheds light on the issue that not only
Porterville, California are facing, but also other countries are confronting
problems of this category as well. Although it is 2013, many would expect for
homosexuality to be accepted everywhere by now, especially in a place such as
California; which is majority Democratic. However it is just an issue that many
are afraid to confront, rather it is because of religious beliefs or culture
beliefs. I feel as though homosexuality should be accepted because they are
humans just as we are, however I understand the religious and traditional view
points of majority of the world on traditional relationships and marriages. This
is an issue that the world must confront, because we have so many other things
to be focusing on and instead what people want to do with their lives, and what
makes them happy is the only thing that seems to captures everyone’s attention.
It is shocking that the former mayor of Porterville, California got voted out
of her position just because of how strongly the other council members
disagreed with her decision. This debate on gay rights will forever shape the
attitudes of our society, and separate people, just because people are now
agreeing to disagree. The more people are starting to come out and celebrate
about their homosexuality, the more problems it causes; however it is a debate that
will continue until gay people feel as though they are accepted and have rights
just as others.
Courtney Brown
September 27, 2013
4:10 pm
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