Thursday, May 10, 2012

Gay marriage right versus rights, period

Obama just announced that he was in favor of gay marriage.  He probably has been all along but politics is a repressive mistress.  And yesterday North Carolina, where I lived 5 years, decided overwhelmingly to include a ban on gay marriage in its constitution.  I do not even have the heart to call my friends there who have been together for more than two decades.

Be the occasion good enough for some worthy considerations.  Even though I have just reached 13 years with the S.O., we have never considered marriage.  It is a non issue for us unless eventually some insurance benefit would be required.  Since I am French, we can consider using the French PACS system if necessary because of course in revolutionary bolibananarian Venezuela there is no provision for gay rights.  But does it matter?

The problem that we face here are of a much more worrisome nature.  Our right to expression is limited.  Our right to information is even more limited now that Internet quality is decaying fast in Venezuela.  Let's not discuss our right to life which could be exerted against  us any time soon, by just going out to buy a loaf of bread.  Our property rights are now limited and even threatened since we cannot rent our property, nor can sell it because there is no use for the money we could get out of such sale.

Our right to free association is limited greatly.  First by insecurity which limits our gathering places.  But our political right of association are also limited.  After all, because of the Tascon list I encountered unexplained delays in some of my legal paperwork.  And the S.O., being a public employee could be fired if it ever were known that he associates with people of my ilk, for chavismo a much worse offense than being gay I suppose.

Our health care is dismal as both of us must resort to private health insurance, even if he is a public employee.  Of course, forget about any form of joint tax declaration for exemptions.  And never mind that if either one of us gets sick, not only the other one will have no power to take decisions, but I am pretty sure that in many circumstances even our families would not be allowed to make medical decisions: if we are sick in a public hospital, well, by the time a decision can be made we may well be dead already......

I can keep going on with more examples on how rights are eroded in Venezuela, from the mere right to go out of the country for a vacation to the ones of buying the type of products I like, which does not mean at all that the restrictions in these rights I used to enjoy has expanded the rights of those that supposedly did not have them before Chavez.  And I do not need to bring here domestic or gender related violence cases or beating up of transexuals which do not even seem to make it into statistics anymore.

The point that I am trying to make here is that when I look at the battle for gay marriage in the US I cannot help but think that it is a luxury battle for a country which has basically everything else taken care of.  Here, in Venezuela, my battle is now for essential, basic, day to day rights.  A sobering perspective, no?

But one thing is certain, be they the conservatives, like Tami Fitzgerald of North Carolina, who used to vote for racist Jesse Helms when I lived there and now attack gay rights, or be the chavistas in charge that even today have no problem emitting homophobic insults that in any civilized country would results in their immediate dismissal, they are one and the same. They are afraid of rights, any rights, because they perceive them as a threat to any power they hold or think they hold.  Be they Gary Bauer or Nicolas Maduro, they are the same creeps.

61 comments:

  1. Jacques1:03 AM

    The Monty Python crew sums it up beautifully in just one minute and 51 seconds:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFBOQzSk14c

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous1:50 AM

    Anonymous 2,

    I have suspected for sometime that you were a homosexual, and now you have opened the door of the closet.

    Do not hide behind the euphemism of the word gay, proudly proclaim that you are a homosexual, and that you enjoy homosexual sexual activity.
    And that it is entirely normal and healthy for men to have anal intercourse with each other.

    The companies that sell diapers enjoy your patronage, as do seedy bars, dumpy motels, and last but not least AIDS clinics.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Charly2:21 AM

      With a comment like this one, there is still a lot of work to be done by people of good will to attain a shadow of civilization.

      Delete
    2. Daniel, please erase the hate comment. There is no reason why you should allow such type of rubbish in your comment section.

      Delete
    3. terrance rogan5:13 AM

      Anonymous lives in a world of darkness. He owns it, with no where to go.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous,
    did I missed something ? I did not read such "opening of the closet door" anywhere.
    I did come across an article about a medical study where such a strong response to homosexuals actually reflects a tendency to homosexuality in the supposed “macho men”. So for someone like you, that sees something wrong in others sexual preferences I recommend that you pay attention to the straw on your eye first, before you try to impose your value system on others.
    Nora

    ReplyDelete
  4. PSF and troll warning! Nora, great response!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous4:12 AM

    Dear Nora,

    I have been reading this blog for several years.

    Daneil has to my knowledge, just admitted to being a homosexual.

    If that isn't opening the closet, tell me what it is?

    by the way, I came across a medical study that says folks that adopt the name of Nora for internet use, are very likely to be mass murderers.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous,

    Haters only hate the people they can't have, or the people they can't be

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous4:35 AM

    Dear firepig,

    Since when has one remarking about obvious facts made the observer of the facts a " hater "?

    There are certain segments of the homosexual community that write disparagingly about heterosexuals as " breeders ".

    Is that not hate?

    ReplyDelete
  8. @ Daniel

    "racist Jesse Helms" wow wow wow...!! no te digo yo..???? To me he is a conservative who had for years helped the cause of the FREEDOM of Cubans from Castro, as well as their Human Rights. But conveniently you forgot that little detail.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In Cuba there are not doing any better or worse since his demise. Which by the way is totally irrelevant to this post while the bigotry I have to endure in NC by Jesse s supporters is relevant. Whether he indeed helped Cubans did not help me, whatsoever.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous5:00 AM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous

    Of course further hate filled comments from you will be erased. You have taken advantage of me being away from Internet to spew infamy. But readers had a great set of replies and they deserve to remain.

    This being said.

    If I you were indeed a long term reader of this blog you would have known for almost a year of my sexual orientation. If it took me so long to come out it is because I write about Venezuela and not my life, unless it is pertinent. That time came last year.

    If your reaction has been so extreme it is because the point of my post has hit bull s eye with you and you cannot admit it. Repression of gay rights is like repression of any other right: a desire for control. Be it homophobes like you or fascists like Chavez, you are the same in that.

    If you reaction is so out of place is also due to your ignorance and/or lack of intellectual integrity, also confirmed by you not even bothering to get a handle for your comments.

    ReplyDelete
  11. TO ALL REAL READERS

    Please, do not fall for trolls like the one we got tonight. With born again homophobes and chavistas I have developed thick skin, fortunately.

    If it happens again wait a little bit before you reply in case I get back on line to erase offensive shit. Of course I do appreciate your support but trolls feed on your outrage and the more replies these morons get, the happier they are. Then again, if I am delayed, go ahead and trounced them.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous6:23 AM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous6:51 AM

    Daniel I have been reading your blog since 2003, having lived in VZ from 2004 thru 2007 I have been amazed and terribly sad watching the the Venezuela story.

    Even today after all these years and despite myself having zero stake in the country other than friends I get angry and resent the lack of outrage for all of the "rights" that are just foregone for the people. I cannot fathom having to live with the acceptance of this oppression like some do. Deep inside people like this responder cannot possibly look themselves in the mirror due to their lack of respect for their fellow man

    This is the single best bit of writing that you have ever posted that nails the situation in Venezuela in a way that hits home personally to you that shows the despair in the venezuela situation

    I applaud your standing up for your rights as a human and your work educating us on the realities everyone faces in your country.

    I deeply respect you and wish you the best

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind words.

      But next time be an angel and put a handle, even anonymous5 will do. I almost erased your comment by accident.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous7:18 AM

    Dear Daniel,

    Sen. Helms was elected by folks that were citizens of N. Carolina, and of the USA.

    I doubt if you qualified.

    By the way, what has the Queen of England done for you lately?

    She hasn't done anything for me either, but, then again I don't bitch about it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe I did not count but I did pay taxes there and henceforth respect was due. And also I had plenty of friends and they did count. Please, try again.

      Delete
  15. framethedebate7:46 AM

    "The point that I am trying to make here is that when I look at the battle for gay marriage in the US I cannot help but think that it is a luxury battle for a country which has basically everything else taken care of."

    What on this green earth are you smoking? A fifty year old man who has served 3 1/2 years as President of the U.S. suddenly has a cathartic revelation and reveals publicly he supports gay marriage. Really? How gullible are you? This is NOTHING more than a political move based on polling data coming from swing states he needs to carry. Another well publicized shift by a candidate that has yet to say in plain English that he has an economic plan (any plan) to assist in a recovery. And you somehow feel it is newsworthy and connect it to the hell that is now Venezuela? I cannot speak for other readers that have followed you for years, but this is one reader that believes you've wasted time, space and energy discussing this obvious political ploy. I can only hope the gay community can muster the courage to ask where the hell this guy has been on this issue since entering public office. Similar to the Armenian community that bought into believing he would keep his word and recognize their holocost, I hope this backfires with the gay electorate.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Clearly you have totally misunderstood this post. And from what you write it useless to try to set you straight, so to speak. Not to mention that your concern is perfectly covered in the text, if you bothered to understand it.

      Delete
  16. framethedebate8:11 AM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous8:16 AM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe not a letter, but as humans,everyone deserves respect and inherently, rights.
      Even assholes,racists and zealots.

      Delete
  18. I knew Daniel was gay when i read somewhere 1 or 2 years ago the "SO" in his post and i didn't know what it stood for,searched it and that's as far as i went into the blogger's sexual orientation. Who gives a fuck,really? Nothing to be proud or ashamed of,it just IS.

    And yes Daniel, it's a luxury they get to discuss such topics. I'm sad because of the hate you've received today for being gay,instead of being an opositor. This is 2012 and humanity has found a way to start going back to the middle ages.

    Cavemen with iPods

    ReplyDelete
  19. By the way,just got this on my Twitter.

    http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/L/LT_ARGENTINA_TRANSGENDER_RIGHTS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

    Better than nothing i guess.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous8:35 AM

    Dear FTB,

    " I hope this back fires with the gay electorate. "

    Priceless!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Island Canuck12:40 PM

    Once I saw this post I knew it would evoke a rabid response from the element in society that abhors differences in people whether it be religion, colour or sexual preference.

    Daniel you have my respect & support. Don't let the pin heads get you down.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I for one am shocked, shocked I tell you to find out the blog owner is gay. That explains the awful Sans Serif font package, no wait, that's from his inner Frog.

    :)
    Enjoy life Daniel, it's to short to mess with trolls.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Island Canuck2:23 PM

    You might be interested in knowing that a poll run by TMZ.com asking if the announcement will help or hurt Obama has received, at this moment, 99,868 votes:
    This will ...
    Help Obama 61%
    Hurt Obama 39%
    Total Votes: 99,868

    ReplyDelete
  24. (sigh) It's telling that homophobes must hide behind "anonymous" or other pseudonyms.

    I think Obama may have been telling the truth when he said he had wavered because he thought civil unions (which North Carolina has just made illegal) might be sufficient. With states now banning even that protection, it's time to kick the table.

    ReplyDelete
  25. It's amazing that so many people/commenters are more focused on Daniel's sexual orientation than what the post is really about. Actually, quite sad.
    C'mon people! What's wrong with you? Venezuelan's basic human rights are being cut off from every corner as Daniel points out and the only thing that comes to your mind is "oh, Daniel is gay". Seriously??
    Sigh...Venezuela has a long way to go.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carolina,

      Hatred is hatred, and our beliefs do not make us a good person.Our actions are what counts.

      The people who hate those who oppose gay marriage or those who defend it or who support or do not support Obama or those who like Chavez or do not like Chavez are not necessary good or bad.But expressing hatred is definitely wrong .Why? Only our intuition can answer that one.

      The fact that gay marriage rights is acceptable to me,does not make me a good person.Not does being an anti Chavez.I do believe however that I am a better person when I do not hate and when I take up for my friends or values without vulgarities or hatred.

      The above commenter was very hateful in his expression and I think it is natural for some of us who care about Daniel to feel compelled to defend him.It is not a matter of focusing attention on sexual orientation( which does not interest me one iota), but rather standing up for principles, which is one of the only reasons I see to keep on existing.

      Delete
    2. FP - there is no need to lecture me. I agree with your first three paragraphs, but this post is not about gay marriage.

      So getting all carried away by one idiotic post is a waste of time. First of all, Daniel doesn't need that. As he very clearly stated: "Please, do not fall for trolls like the one we got tonight. With born again homophobes and chavistas I have developed thick skin, fortunately."

      Let's talk about the rights that all Venezuelans, gay or straight, black or white, men or women, have lost during the last 13 years, shall we?

      Delete
    3. Carolina, Daniel has a right to establish norms for his own blog.

      You ask us to get back to Venezuela, but sometimes Daniel posts on other topics.This post was about several topics.

      Firepigette

      Delete
  26. @ Daniel;
    I would ask; what have Obama done for You lately? But more important, some of the people who read this blog have no interest in Venezuela really, Like me for example, I give a S….t about what happen to that country, I care about Cuba because I was born there, but just like 90% of Venezuelans before Chavez didn’t even know about Cuba or what we were going thru, so they just didn’t care. Your reference to Helms is wrong in so many ways that I’m surprised coming from you, it looks like someone else wrote that portion, or maybe you where overwhelmed in joy by Obama’s sudden change in position. In any case to refer to someone like Helms as a RACIST? You have to admit is wrong, especially if your position is that we should respect others for what they believe.
    Therefore based on your conclusion, If Chavez has done nothing bad to me why should I be against Him..??? This goes right to my point of other posts with you, and some of my friends, you are anti Chavez because “Te apreto el Zapato??” and that is the Only reason??. There is no Ideological bases for it??, and I think that is why Venezuela is in so deep Sh..t at this point, because many Oppo to Chavez, think just like a friend of mine who HATES Chavez, but her two sons are named Lenin & Fidel, go figure..!.
    By the way I would like to know how you where Paying Taxes without being legally in the country? If that is the case you were violating the law, If not and you where legally here, I would like to know how you felt attacked based on Race???? I don’t get it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beto

      As we say in Venezuela "necesitas coger minimo".

      Again, all has been taken care in the post, if you cared to read it instead of blocking at the O word.

      As for taxes: you are an idiot for assuming that all foreigners gotta be wetbacks. Geeeez.........

      Delete
  27. @ Island Canuck

    TMZ Polls, are very scientific, indeed...!!!

    So elections in California of all places have no impact on your analysis, but a Poll from TMZ does..??

    ReplyDelete
  28. Island Canuck4:05 PM

    @Beto
    The putting of a TMX poll was not intended as scientific or anything else - just an example of how people who visit this particular site, & the fact that it was 100,000+ votes, see Obama's announcement.

    This will ...
    Help Obama61%
    Hurt Obama39%
    Total Votes: 105,523

    ReplyDelete
  29. Dr. Faustus4:26 PM

    This silly comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ;)

    I applaud Daniel for another excellent post. I find the discussion here refreshing as well. By the way, I find it interesting that no one has commented on how Fidel Castro handles his gay population in Cuba.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Off topic :-)

      But he surely sends pointers Caracas' way

      Delete
  30. ToAll:

    One of the many reasons that I dislike politics, and essentially find it boring as all get out( I am only reading Venezuelan blogs for my personal interest in Venezuela),is that normal politics are based on lies, distortions, hatreds, egotism, manipulations, etc.There is not one single politician whom I trust , because even if a particular one is 'relatively' well intended, his or her ability to "DO" is greatly modified by the power of those whose interests are below board, only if this below board just means self interest.

    As I see it, we are stuck with the hope of ending up with the least horrible, and with our own personal dedication to strive for understanding and do the best in our tiny and ultimately insignificant lives rather than expecting politicians to make our worlds more bearable.If each of us does our part, maybe someday the world can work.

    Firepigette

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please delete me from your "all" list, FP. I don't need a cosmic interpretation of Daniel's post. Thank you.

      Delete
    2. Syd,

      no need to worry, I deleted you a long time ago :),as I said many times before we have nothing to discuss, yet you don't seem to catch the drift

      Delete
    3. Your drift gets lost in the flotsam and jetsom of your mind, FP. But at least, you're no longer lecturing us on the psychology you learnt in adult-ed classes. Talk about boredom! And you've toned down the claims of your 1,000 family members in Venezuela, mostly living in barrios. Talk about distortions! :-))

      Delete
  31. framethedebate4:52 PM

    You delete my post because I point out that you began this piece with the news that after 3 1/2 years, Obama now supports gay marriage? What happened to that thick skin? To be clear, I understand the point of your article. I simply struggle to understand why a political ploy from a U.S. President who has done nothing for the gay community should be sited in the first sentence.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Because the post is NOT about Obama and his declarations, the post is about how a country like the US can afford such a debate whereas in Venezuela we are reduced to debate fundamental everyday right to remain alive and well.

      In how many more ways must I spell this? Or are you like Beto, blocking at the O word, unable to see the large text that goes after that and that has nothing to do anymore with the O word?

      Delete
  32. Anonymous4:56 PM

    Dear jsb,

    Knowing as I do now ( thanks to your critic ) that hiding behind a pseudonym is bad, why do you use a pseudonym?

    Or did your parents just decide that jsb was a nice name?

    Peace

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. a pseudonym is a courteous manner to make debates in comment section easier to follow. i used to have a lot of comments like yours in the halcyon days when rabid chavistas were haunting this blog as anonymous forcing the previous strict moderation policy existing then. looks like i am going to have to go back to that moderation policy if rabid anti O folks start harassing us.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous: JSB are my initials, and clicking through to my profile should reveal who I am. I don't hide behind mysterious pseudonyms or "anonymous."

      Delete
  33. Daniel, I liked your next-to-last paragraph the best. Succinct is the word that comes to mind. As for homophobic insults, please keep in mind my mom's advice on any type of discrimmination, be it racial, religious, sexual, or whatever: Don't blame the people; blame the system. It will take a very, very long time, especially in an immature society that is Venezuela, where nothing works, to fully reverse centuries-worth of a very narrow mindset, educationally and culturally imposed.

    Now, can we get onto a dissection of the Velazquez Alvaray interview?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 1) amen

      2) well, i did not see it yet though on tweeter i got echoes. another one for the anthology books.....

      Delete
    2. http://www.el-nacional.com/noticia/34329/16/Luis-Velazquez-Alvaray-Chavez-deberia-saber-que-entre-sus-generales-favoritos-hay-narcotraficantes.html

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYL_774sNdY&list=UUV22r8HQzm95XG3lR4MJTQg&index=1&feature=plcp

      http://www.noticierodigital.com/2012/05/velasquez-alvaray-la-banda-de-los-enanos-es-la-que-decide-en-el-sistema-judicial/

      Delete
  34. I still don't understand why people who "don't five a fuck about Venezuela" and other hateful individuals read this blog. Theres a reason why i don't read Aporrea.

    ReplyDelete
  35. A different anon5:29 PM

    I have several problems with the concept of "gay rights" that have surprisingly little to do with homosexuality. Essentially, the mere concept highlights most of what is wrong with humanity. To begin with, it is so unbelievably hypocritical it's beyond words.

    EVERYONE has a very defined idea of what marriage and sex should and shouldn't be. From sexual positions, to possible partners, to fetishes, everyone thinks that some forms of sex are extremely wrong for no other reason than "it feels wrong." NOBODY thinks that "everyone should be allowed to marry anyone/anything they wants." NOBODY. But by doing so, you're invariably restricting marriage to what YOU feel is right and everyone who disagrees with your own narrow definition of marriage can go to hell for all you care.

    To prove it, I just need two words: incest and pedophilia. The one and only reason anyone thinks incest is wrong is because it creeps the hell out of you to think about a brother and sister having sex. You might try to claim that it's because the increased probability of genetic disorders on their offspring but that's just a rationalization. If they promised not to have children, would it be OK to allow siblings to marry each other?

    And pedophilia? How many people here (event the adamant pro-gay-rights crowd) automatically assumed pedophilia is the same as child molestation? Pedophilia is a desire, child molestation is an action. Two very different things; one of which is perfectly legal. Claiming that all pedophiles are child molesters is akin to claiming that all straight men are rapist because they become sexually aroused when they see a porn scene involving rape.

    Would it be OK for you if your neighbor was a pedophile, but he never touched a child, he only "relieved" himself with adult dwarf prostitutes dressed as little girls and by plastering pictures of babies' faces on top of pictures of musclebound guys? Would you be OK if someone created a videogame that allowed players to have virtual sex with children? Would you be OK if someone created a RealDoll (as in a sex doll) with the shape of a 10-year-old girl? No? Why? Would any of that hurt any actual children in any way?

    And don't get me talking or I'll bring zoophilia and necrophilia into play as well. Then I'll get really creepy...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 1) this is completely off topic

      2) this is COMPLETELY off topic

      Delete
    2. Daniel,

      I recommend you close the comments section on this post.A lot of obscure characters here.They belong on "The Deep Web" if you know what that is.

      Delete
  36. Anonymous5:50 PM

    Idiots like the "Anonymous Hater" are no better than Nazis, or any other type of extremist. If someone else is gay what is that of your business dude. It's ironic; folk point fingers at extremist Islam for wanting to convert folk to their believes when they want exactly the same.

    Being gay, or straight for that matter is no one else business. Anonymous Hater Live & Let Live pinche pendejo.

    I strongly believe that the US is the best place to live; but we are not perfect; in some respects we are a sad example for a developed country.

    Vote Libertarian, and stop the extremes.

    Alejo, Vzla Paraiso Perdido

    ReplyDelete
  37. @ Daniel
    OK, So now I’m an Idiot??? And Helms is a Racist..?? Just because we all have different views and opinions? Wow what a way to show compassion and understanding.
    By the way I didn’t say you were a wetback, or anything like it, I assume that you paid taxes therefore you were here Legally, and that is perfectly ok, I just want to understand how Mr. Helms made you feel racially discriminated..?? I still don’t get it.. can you explain? You have a very fluent verb.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Are you dense or what? Don't you recall the positions of Jesse Helms against gay rights?

      OK, this thread is over.

      Delete

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