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Marriage on the Mind

Gay marriage is on everyone’s mind in the week leading up to the presidential election.
An Advocate.com exclusive posted October 31, 2008
Marriage on the Mind
Supporters of Prop. 8 bring their children to a rally in Los Angeles.

Not surprisingly, the papers are obsessed with the issue. While it’s been expected that Californian publications would lean heavily on the topic, as the state's Proposition 8 hangs in the balance, it’s surprising to see what one newspaper in a conservative area has been writing. 

The Salt Lake Tribune, the paper of record in the Mormon state's capital, weighed in 15 times on the issue. One columnist, Robert Kirby, who is Mormon, said "I Don't Care If Gays Get Married" in a piece meant to satirize against Prop. 8: “Shouldn't it be against the law for stupid people to get married? What's more harmful to society -- two well-dressed men getting married and settling down, or two idiots tying the knot and cranking out any number of additional idiots?”  

The Salt Lake City paper also republished an editorial from the Los Angeles Times in its Opinion section, pointing out that the fear-based ads pushing the idea that teachers would suddenly be required to teach gay marriage in the classroom is an outright lie, and that they are already within their rights to use their judgment in using classroom materials. 

The Times wrote: “It would be naive to say that no California teacher will ever mention homosexuality, or that SB 71 prevents all teachers, elementary or otherwise, from reading 'King and King' or similar books to their students, or telling them about the history -- and existence -- of gay marriage. Schools across the nation have done such things for years, with or without legal recognition of gay marriage.”  

Another Salt Lake Tribune article reported the last-minute withdrawal of Utah-based Mormon volunteers for the California initiative: "The church has since determined that such phone calls are best handled by those who are registered California voters." You think?  

A third Tribune story, “Prop 8: California Gay Marriage Fight Divides LDS Faithful,” noted that members of the church who are against Prop. 8 feel like they are pariahs in their community. One woman, Carol Oldman, even avoids going to services. 

"It has tainted everything for me," Oldham said, who was choking up during her telephone interview with the Tribune. "I am afraid to go there and hear people say mean things about gay people. I am in mourning. I don't know how long I can last.”  

Page: 1 | 2 | 3
Keywords:  2008 Election  California marriage  Prop 8 
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Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

  • Name: Mark
    Date posted: 2008-11-02 3:22 AM
    Hometown: Santa Fe, NM

    Comment:

    Frankly Michele, one has nothing to do with the other. Vote for who you choose but Prop 8 is a separate issue. Regarding the terrorists you are afraid of. Who are they? I'm much more worried about the religious right zealots in this country who are trying to impose their religious beliefs on me. It sounds as though you've bought in to the spin of the election campaign, hook, line and sinker.


  • Name: Michele
    Date posted: 2008-11-01 11:38 AM
    Hometown: Florida

    Comment:

    As a lesbian partnered for several years, of course I would love the opportunity to legally marry her. However, I do also realize that there are other ''legal'' options that are available- power of attorney, beneficiary, etc. To be perfectly honest, in the state that this country is in right now economically and at war, my priority is NOT being able to legally wed or even be recognized as a legally wed couple. Call me a sellout or whatever, but this election- McCain is getting my vote. The issues that are truly at the top of the priority list are those that McCain can tackle. I'd much rather live in a country that possibly does not recognize gay marriage in my lifetime than to live in a country that is run by terrorists.


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