What does "Vote No" mean?

In a few days, Minnesotans will vote to amend the state constitution to limit marriage to one man and one woman. I have had at least six conversations with people who think that this amendment is about the legalization of same-sex marriages. Which in a way it is, but this particular vote will not…. I repeat… WILL NOT directly legalize same sex marriage.

This topic has been the center of many debates across the country for years, and many are calling for change. One could easily say “VOTE NO!” and think that you are making a HUGE difference for the LGBT community. I myself have been talking to friends and family, and even posted a few Facebook status’ urging my friends to vote no. Well myself, and many others across the country are drastically deceiving ourselves. I think it is really important that voters have a full understanding of what voting no, or if you so choose to vote yes, will mean.

Minnesota’s constitution currently states that marriage is a civil contract between a man and a woman. In reality, if this amendment passes, literally all that will change is two words. “A man, and a woman” will become “one man and one woman.” How does this really change LGBT rights? Well to be frank… it doesn’t. Same-sex couples in Minnesota will still be refused the rights that married heterosexual couples receive.

What voting no WILL do is show support for marriage equality. The fact that this amendment has even been brought to the table is insulting. The fact that religious zealots are so threatened by the LGBT community that they would push something like this to stall for time is crazy to me. “One man and one woman”? Seriously? Is bigamy really that much of a problem in Minnesota?! Doubtful. The only reason this has been brought up for a vote is to stall any pro-equality legislation.  

Federal law grants more than 1,000 rights to married couples. These rights include things like claims to a deceased spouse’s social security, work leave to care for a sick spouse or a spouse’s family member, granting citizenship to a spouse of a U.S. citizen, hospital visitation and parental rights.

So the question we should be concerned with is not the wishy-washy wording of Minnesota's constitution, but rather what we are going to do to about the issue of inequality.

As I sit here, thinking about the supporting arguments for marriage equality, I find myself spitting out the same arguments we have all heard a thousand times. I thought about sparing any potential readers the boredom of reading the argument about the first amendment for the 10 kabillionth time, but I feel that this is a valid argument which is not being taken seriously. So I’m gonna make like Selena Gomez and repeat-peat-peat-peat-peat.

The first amendment to the US constitution states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”. The reasons same-sex couples are denied these civil rights are due to the religious beliefs of many political leaders. I believe this is unconstitutional. No… THIS IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL!

The second portion of the religion clause in the first amendment states that Congress cannot prohibit the free exercise of religion. Legalizing same-sex marriage will not prevent the free exercise of religion.  Two men signing a legal document will not prevent someone from going to their religious service.

Pause for ridiculous fantasy.... By some miraculous turn of events I meet, fall in love with and get married to Tom Daley tomorrow afternoon.

Damn, back to reality.

Let's be completely honest, if that scenario were true, Sara Palin would still go shoot an elk for Sunday dinner with her pastor. Given the obvious fact that Sara Palin has no idea who I am, she would not be phased my hypothetical marriage to a man.

As the great Margaret Cho once said, “ People who hate gay marriage would never even know if gay people got married… Because they don’t know any gay people!! Let’s just not tell them.”

Unfortunately the inventions of radio, television, the internet and social media make that an impossibility. 

Now, I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t add a touch of pessimism to this post. I am an incredibly impatient person and am ready for a BIG move to be made for the LGBT community. I just don’t feel like this vote is that move. The realist in me realizes that vetoing this amendment is a very minor step for the community. As with any vote, you must make the best decision for you. I believe this vote will not make or break same-sex civil rights movement in the state of Minnesota. If the amendment passes, we have to fight against it. If the amendment does not pass, we have to fight against the current constitution.

Vote Yes or Vote No…. just know this fight is far from over. 

Oktoberfest: the final demise of my iPhone4

To a young adult, a cellphone is in all reality an additional limb. We are constantly talking or texting on them. This concept is even more apparent now that smartphones are increasing in popularity. Instead of just calling and texting, we are now able to tweet, Facebook stalk, email, play games, take pictures, record videos and watch movies on our cellphones. This has created a culture in which we constantly have our phones in hand. They go with us to work, school, on family vacations, to concerts and everything in between.

My phone was no exception. I got my iPhone4 shortly after it became available with Verizon Wireless. Like many young adults, I put that phone through hell and back. In addition to the normal tossing onto the kitchen table, that phone went everywhere with me. It had traveled with me through five states, attended four Van’s Warped Tour dates, more than 10 other rock concerts and it even survived my 21st birthday.

The traveling bit is no big deal, but the second two are impressive achievements. My friends and I like to go all out at concerts. We like to dance and mosh the hardest, often to the dismay of out fellow concertgoers – Sorry guys!

I think the reason we go hard at concerts is because we are poor college students who never fully left the whole teen angst thing in high school.

Anyway, back to the point. At said concerts it is not uncommon for myself, or one of my friends, to pass out from the heat, get body jewelry ripped out, or even a concussion.  We always tend to wake up the next morning with a strange assortment of scrapes and bruises. In the midst of all this I always managed to get amazing picture on my phone. Although I literally had to dive into mosh pits after that phone on multiple occasions –believe me, that is no easy task.

As far as my 21st birthday goes, well we all know how people get on the first night on the town…

By this point you may have noticed that I have been talking about my phone in past tense. That is due to a charming experience known as Oktoberfest.

I grew up in La Crosse, Wis. and for as long as I can remember I have attended it’s annual Oktoberfest activities. Now that I am of age, it means I get to join the big kids at the beer tent.

This past weekend I went home to partake in such activities.  On Saturday morning I woke up early to get ready for my day. I put on my freshly laundered skinny jeans, and went to put my phone in my pocket. As is the case with freshly laundered skinny jeans, my phone did not fit. So being the bright young man that I am, I took off the protective case and my phone slid right into my pocket.

The day’s events began with brunch at a friend’s. This consisted of some food, but mostly Bloody Mary’s and mimosas.

Fast forward about 12 hours to when we are all nice and festive at our favorite bar. We are singing Nicki Minaj’s Super Bass at the top of our lungs, and I am sitting at a table with some of my friends. My phone is sitting dangerously close to the edge of the table. Sure enough a friend bumped into the table and my phone took the long journey of two feet to the ground. And as fate would have it, the screen shattered.

After everything we had been through, my phone decided to go skydiving and forget to pull the shoot. Seriously.

Luckily for me I have an upgrade coming up on my cellphone plan, and should be able to afford to pay for a new phone with my next paycheck.

Moral of the story, keep your cellphone cover on while being a stupid college student. Or is the issue the skinny jeans?  

HAPPY FESTING!!!!