Petrelis Files

St. Obama Candle &

Polish Gay Says No on Prop 8

There are lots of knickknack store along San Francisco's Valencia Street, but one near the north corner at 20th Street is truly unique. It's the only such place with an enormous votive candle of St. Obama in the window. I think St. Francis, the religious figure whose image is being parodied, would heartily approve of remaking Obama's iconography in the spirit of our city's patron saint.

Very unrelated to the candle in any way is the blog of Wojtek Szot, a young gay blogger in Warsaw. He sent me an email the other day about California's Prop 8, which I responded to and our exchange is shared below.

Sure, I was impressed to learn that a gay youth in Poland is not only aware of our state initiative, but also know about the two other states facing anti-gay-marriage propositions.

But what really made me smile, in strong international gay solidarity, was the small banner promoting a no vote on Prop 8 and a link to donate to the campaign! Click here and check out Wojtek's blog and see how from Europe he is playing a part in defeating Prop 8.

Here is our short exchange:

Hi!

I'm one of the most popular Polish gay-blogger, my site: www.abiekt.blogspot.com and I've questions to you, if you answer me can I put it on blog?

Do you think that in a voting in Florida and Arizona we have a chance to win? Because I'm afraid that everybody speaks about California and other voting aren't popular in media. And at least - if we will win at California it will be a historical step for LGBTq rights? Or it's just a small step i process of emancipation?

In Poland sometimes we (I mean - a LGBT organization) think about referendum on our rights to same-sex unions or Common-law marriage, and I thint that will be a great moment to teach people about us and our problems. Do you think that in US it works like that?

I'm sorry for my English :)

Sincerely
Wojtek Szot


Hi Wojtek,

Thanks for writing from Poland. I like your blog and very much like your message to vote no on Prop 8, with a link to make a donation. Thank you for your help to defeat the Prop 8. Here is my reply to your questions.

Yes, you are free to use my remarks on your blog.

I forget about the anti-gay propositions in Florida and Arizona, not just because I live in California, but because the straight and gay press only focus on Prop 8.

If we keep gay marriage equality in California, it will have a widespread beneficial influence for gays and gay marriage across America's states.

I don't know how the voters will vote next week, but I fear Prop 8 will pass and end gay marriage. That would be a terrible thing for the American gay movement.

Human rights for gay people should not decided by voters during an election. The equal rights and civil protections for all persons should be the law. It is undemocratic to put anyone's human rights up for a vote.

The referendums over gay rights in the USA is never a great moment to teach people about gay life. This is because the "official" gay leaders think it is best to ignore the gay aspect of the referendum, and instead focus on vague ideas about civil rights.

Many gays, me too, complain the TV ads to stop Prop 8 don't show gay people! That is just one sign of how the teaching moment is lost.

Your English is better than my Polish.
;-)

Please keep in touch.

Hugs,
Michael