By Straight Talk

Nothing irritates me more than a news article spouting facts that deceive the uneducated reader. Except perhaps a journalist who writes the article.  Recently, Cathleen Decker had an article in the Los Angeles Times saying:

“…Overall, the poll showed a majority of voters in Los Angeles support the right of same-sex couples to legally marry, with 56% in favor and 37% opposed. That finding closely tracked results of November’s election, when Proposition 8, which limited marriage to a man and a woman, won statewide but lost in Los Angeles. 

 

But the poll also showed that within the city, views on the issue differed widely among racial and ethnic groups. 

 

White voters were most emphatic in supporting same-sex marriage, with 68% approving of it and 27% opposing. African American voters were almost the opposite, with 54% opposing same-sex unions and 37% supporting them. Opposition to gay marriage by African Americans was widely seen as a major factor contributing to the passage of Proposition 8…”

The last sentence here is not only absurd it’s ridiculous. According to the recent government poll African Americans make up 6.3% of the California population. That means (and we’re talking grade school math here…) 6.3% = African Americans in California Population and 54% of THEM opposed same-sex marriage. This means that African Americans that opposed Same-Sex Marriage = 3.4% of the population of California.

To say that the opposition to gay marriage by African American voters (3.4% of the population) is a “major factor” in the passage of Prop 8 is bordering on stupid. In fact, if Blacks voted the same as Whites you would only reduce the spread by 2%. Since according to state totals the voting results had a spread of 4.5% this means that Blacks voting identically to Whites in California would NOT have changed the results.

It makes me wonder what is the motivation behind Cathleen Decker’s articles? Is she just trying to stir up conflict between the Black community and the Gay community? Is she being paid by the Right Wing groups to divert the blame from them to the small group of Black people. I don’t know her or her motivations but she is clearly NOT able to convey the truth.

Useful Links:
Los Angeles Times article by Cathleen Decker

We are deeply saddened by the CA Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Prop 8, however we are delighted that the 18,000 same-sex couples who were married in California in 2008 will remain legally married.

Loving and committed relationships cannot be stopped by passing a law against them! Now more than ever, MyQueerWedding.com continues to be committed to providing resources to same-sex couples for their wedding celebration as the fight continues, to achieve marriage equality for all in the state of California and beyond!

The waiting is almost over for the California Supreme Court to make their ruling about Proposition 8, which will be announced on Tuesday, May 26.

Same-sex couples who were married last year when marriage was legal for all loving couples are anxious to find out if their marriage will continue to be legally recognized. Whatever the California Supreme Court’s decision, it will impact not only the lives of same-sex couples, but also their families, children, friends and everyone fighting for equal rights.

Whether it will be time to celebrate or protest, organizations around the country who support marriage equality will be ready. To find the closest community gathering near you, visit The Day of Decision or Marriage Equality USA.

San Francisco Gay Wedding Video in association with Mental-Rev Productions have a new video “Spouse and Spouse” from outside the March 5, CA Supreme Court hearing.

While the son of a Lesbian couple high fives an African American man raising signatures for the Repeal Prop 8 campaign, 7 California Supreme Court Justices sit in judgment on the constitutionality of Proposition 8 and ultimately the futures of California’s same-sex couples.