James Magreeveys opinion do you agree?

http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid38621.asp

I agree 100%... I think history has proven that "separate but equal" isn't equal at all. It is a breeding ground for hate, segregated discrimination, and lingering sentiment (following legal rectification) which has a negative impact on an unknown number of future generations. If you don't believe me ask yourself this question: Is racism still an issue in the USA? The answer is yes. Things may be getting better but that is a slow, slow process. In South Carolina where I live the average Caucasian man makes 1.9 times more than the average African American man. And it isn't just white versus black, there is a trickle down effect that flows over into "brown" cultures. People of Hispanic decent also rank at 1.0 to the Caucasian 1.9, but they also have an average income level of 2,000 more a year. And every other segmented race falls in between. My source is the SC Budge and Control Board's annual report on the AIDS Epidemic, Chapter 1: Epidemiological Profiles, Education and Earnings. I have been in a long battle for years between the sponsors of our local HIV/AIDS non profit organization and the community of need. 80% of our private funding comes from the GLBT community. However 62% of the clients are Heterosexual African American Women. So there is always a fight about where the money goes. The GLBT community donates heavily and they want to see a good portion of that money go back into the GLBT community. However that isn't where the big need is in our area. In any case I can obviously see both sides of the issue. It is hard for me because as we can see with this marriage issue, no one is taking care of the GLBT community so we have to take care of ourselves. But equally the government ignores the poor and in this country the statistics show a disproportionate number of "the poor" are African American. It makes you ponder the question... Why? Why in a country where every person is supposed to be equal is that the case? Why are 29% of South Carolinians African American (as opposed to 68% being Caucasian) yet 26% of African American's are below the poverty level when only 8% of Caucasians are. Why? That brings us back to the Marriage issue above... Because discrimination is a slippery slope that, even when legally rectified by banning it has a long arm that reaches further into the future than we can see. It has been almost 40 years since segregation was outlawed and we can't see the end in sight to the negative impact discrimination has had/will have on the African American community. South Carolina is in the south and I am sure the numbers aren't quite as bad in the north but does it matter? I guess my point to this mini novel is this: If you don't think this cause is that important, think again. If you think you can settle for domestic partner registries and MOST of the rights of marriage, think again. And most of all if you think just because the democrats took the house and senate we can sit on our laurels think again. A good percentage of those democrats are moderates and not actively supportive of GLBT issues. We are still on the uphill climb, the tides could easily turn on a dime in 2008. Ok, I will return the soap box now, lol... Have a great day! Cam

Personally I'm at a point where a large portion me says, Yes continue to fight till we are at an equal point in the marriage issue. Sufferage wouldn't have been a thing of the past if the movement had just settled for the consolation prize. Yes, We deserve equal rights as human beings , families, and individuals. (as I write this I think I'm convincing my self of what I already know but....) But currently we have glbt famillies that not only desire equal marriage rights, but depend on them for medical issues, guardianship issues, insurance issues...... would it not benifit these families to at least get part way for now? or do we refuse the consolation prize and continue to fight for what is ultimatley our right?????