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Isobel Whites post is really excellent and should be, in my opinion, required reading!  There is at one time, two ideas in there: one may seem counter-intuitive, but the other is well worth the trouble of sorting the first out.

I admit, if asked to decide between, 2010 or 2012, I’m on the 2010 side of things.This is based on a number of things:

• I think a big win in California would give a boost to all GLBTQ struggles across the country.
• While the issue is still so fresh, I think it has more chance of passing.
• I’m not sure I trust those suggesting to wait, since many of them are the folks who wewre unsuccessful in the last fight against Prop 8

So I headed into the post expecting to disagree with her at every turn. But clearly, if I feel the post should be required reading, I feel differently after finishing it. I think each of her eight points can all be discussed, but for me, there are three, that are the really big deal for me.

4. It’s incredibly expensive- I’m not sure that this will change over time, but because the price tag is/ was/ will be so big, it makes sense to make sure it will be a definite win before proceeding. If we can’t say definite, then we should have a pretty good idea that a win is likely.

6) Return to the ballot box too soon, and it’s easy for the opposition to argue that we’re subverting the will of the people and the Courts.- The second worst thing that could happen would be for Marriage Equality to win the next round, only to be challenged again in the next election. This back and forth will grow very old very quickly, and we are the ones likely to lose out.

5. Other states need more help.- This is the point that makes the most sense to me overall. We can’t afford to lose in Maine. I’ve written about that before. And while Marriage Equality is a fight worth fighting, it does not in any way help the whole of the GLBTQ communities. Marriage Equality is but one side of a multi-faceted demand for full equality for all GLBTQ’s. While regional and state-wide change will be a critical part of a broader strategy, thinking in a bigger way means, we need to keep making grounds on multiple fronts across multiple states.

What do you think? Does White’s ideas shift your thinking?

Isobel White: Same Sex Marriage in CA: 8 Reasons Why We Should Lay Off the Debate over 2010 v. 2012.

An opposing viewpoint is presented here:

http://lezgetreal.com/?p=16408