Blogcoven

The California legislature has approved a bill to create a holiday hono(u)ring Harvey Milk, “the first openly gay man elected to any substantial political office in the history of the planet.” He was assassinated, presumably because he had the poor manners to work to better his community and also be gay.

The bill passed with comfortable margins, and is now being sent to Gov. Schwarzenegger’s desk to be signed. Considering Schwarzenegger’s refreshing “live and let live” stance on social issues, I don’t expect there to be much kerfuffle. It won’t even be an extra day off work or school, since the date chosen (May 22) falls so close to Memorial Day. It’s a moral victory, and in more liberal communities it will be an opportunity for people to discuss the idea that you shouldn’t kill people because they’re different from you. In less tolerant communities, it will be an opportunity to wring hands and gnash teeth. Everybody wins.

So, obviously, the fundies have their knickers in a twist. Apparently God told them that hono(u)ring an openly gay man will turn their children gay and break up their marriages, so they’re asking everyone to call the Governor’s office and persuade Arnie to veto the legislation.

As I said, I don’t expect this to be even a flicker of a problem. But if you’d like, call the office poll line and vote in favo(u)r of the measure. You can think of it as standing up for a hero and a marginalized community. You can think of it as affirming the democratic process, as expecting a politician to unilaterally veto a measure that passed easily is a bit totalitarian. You can think of it as sticking it to the morons. Heck, you could think of it as getting to vote without being a citizen, though I’m not sure if the votes will be counted if they’re not from a California number.

To vote, call +1 916-445-2841. You’ll go straight to a recording. Press 1 for English. Press 2 to “voice an opinion.” Press 1 for AB 2567 – Harvey Milk Day. Then press 1 again to vote yes.

Have a marvy day.