Today In The Gay

[c9]

• Today the Vatican released their new (and unsurprising) policy on allowing gay men to be priests. In short, no more flaming in the sachristy. Deep-seated homosexual tendencies, which the Vatican calls disordered, disqualify one. "Transitory tendencies" would be OK if you've been celibate for three years.
  
  The editor of the Catholic New Times estimates that 30-50% of priests in the Catholic Church are gay. And stated on CBC that 50% of Catholic churches are currently without a priest. Hmmm, good plan Benedict!
  
  
• Today the Canadian election started, and Stephen Harper, almost before the writ had left Martin's hand, was already talking about repealing equal marriage for same-sex couples. For pete's sake, is he stupid? I mean, seriously.

Comments

[nihilicious.livejournal.com]

First, I don't think he said anything about a referendum. I think he said he'd first ask for a motion on whether MPs wanted to re-open the issue, and if he did, he'd introduce legislation. (That's pretty much a redundant process unless you believe there are anti-SSM MPs who will actually vote--not just think, but vote--that the question shouldn't be re-opened.)

Secondly, AAAAAAAAAAAHH!!!!!!! A referendum on this issue would be SO VERY VERY BAD. I have no confidence that the majority of Canadians would vote in favour of SSM in a referendum. I don't really think there are clear polls indicating that. And I don't think it's fair to have the majority decide on the rights of a minority. That's sort of why we have a Charter in the first place (not that Stephen Harper has read it.)

[zedinbed.livejournal.com]

Here's my source on my take on the subject:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20051129.wgaymarriage1129/BNStory/specialDecision2006/?query=stephen+harper+same+sex+marriage

As for the whole polls thing, I don't get why supporters of SSM slam their wins in them in the faces of their opponents and then consider it too risque themselves to trust if and when a real natinal referendum on the topic does arise.

[nihilicious.livejournal.com]

I agree to some extent with your comment on polls. In politics, I guess you make whatever arguments you think will help you win the day. But the focus on polls does somewhat contradict the message that SSM is the right solution under the Charter, regardless of what the majority thinks.

[c9.livejournal.com]

Good point, I shouldn't use polls and then say majority doesn't matter. So I restract my poll points. Human rights are NOT negotiable, and should NEVER be subject to a majority's whim.

[skeezix1000.livejournal.com]

Constitutional rights should never be subject to a show of hands.

[nihilicious.livejournal.com]

I'll vote for that.