Somah's Blog

Gay Marriage is Legal in California

Finally, same-sex couples that choose to tie the knot are now able to do so in the great State of California. Of course, gay marriage opponents (or homophobes) have succeeded in adding a measure to the November ballot that would amend the State's constitution to define marriage to be strictly between a man and a woman. Now it's up to the voters to decide whether or not their compatriots have a right to pursue their happiness, which is one of the unalienable rights granted to them by the Constitution.

The last survey I read suggested that a bit over half of all Californians rejected a constitution amendment that bans gay marriage. That's great news and shows how far the State has come in the tolerance department. Having said that, I believe we cannot put the fate of others in the hands of voters and call that Democracy. If we had put the fate of African-Americans in the hands of the voters back in the 60's, Black folks would still be treated as second-class citizens today.

The judges have spoken and they law is on the gays' side. Voters cannot decide the fate of a minority because the mob mentality will take over and almost always the minority ends up getting victimized .. again.

Let the gays get married and let's move on to more important, rather urgent, issues like the devalued dollar and the crumbling economy. Now those are issues that the American voters have a chance to correct come November and I pray to God that we collectively make the right choice since we failed to do so back in 2004 and 2000. With a vote track record like this, the only thing I can trust the voters with is American Idol.

Outfest 2008 is on July 9-21

It's this time of year again when Los Angeles sparkles with LGBT stars and fans celebrating the LGBT achievement in film. Outfest, The Los Angeles Gay and LEsbian Film Festival, is a definite highlight of the summer and I can hardly wait for the opening night!

I certainly hope to see some Middle Eastern LGBT films represented this year. Israel does a good job in producing several of these a year, but I'm hoping to see some films from Egypt, Lebanon or Morocco this year. I do understand the difficulties, which oftentimes have mortal consequences, to produce such films in those countries, but I have high hopes for the incredible talents that are yearning to have their voices heard and visions seen to overcome those obstacles and blow us away with one masterpiece after another.