State Senator Sean Kean (R), who lives in what he calls “the gayest district in New Jersey” voted “No” on gay marriage.  I guess, voting in a way that represents the people of your district isn’t important in his and others eyes in the Senate.

I just want to make sure I have it on record, the 20 people that voted no, the 20 people that think that being bigoted is OK, that think “all men are created equal… except those faggots.”  This way, when election time rolls around again, and they say they want to represent the people of New Jersey, we can return the favor and say “NO” to them.

The Republicans that Voted NO:

Bateman, Branchburg
Beck, Red Bank
Bucco, Denville
Cardinale, Demarest
Connors, Surf City
Doherty, Washington Township, Warren County
Haines, Springfield
S. Kean, Wall
T. Kean, Westfield
Kyrillos, Middletown
Oroho, Franklin Borough
O’Toole, Cedar Grove
Pennacchio, Montville
Singer, Lakewood.

The Democrats that added to the embarrasement by voting no

Girgenti, Hawthorne
Madden, Washington Township, Gloucester County
Rice, Newark
Sacco, North Bergen
Turner, Trenton
Van Drew, Dennis

Why? Well, heterosexual marriage doesn’t need to be “legalized,” interracial marriages, which was like the last generation’s version of this issue doesn’t (and didn’t) need to be “legalized.” And along that same lines, I don’t see why “Gay” marriage needs to be legalized.

Now, for all you religious freaks that are quick to judge others (despite supposedly following the teachings of a book that says, “Judge Not, Lest you be judged.” Nobody says your faith MUST recognize or perform ceremonies that you do not believe in. My guess would be that any homosexual couple that wanted to get married would rather not be associated with a bunch of closed minded bigots like yourselves anyway.

So why is it that you can’t just let it go? Nobody is asking you to “like” or even “approve” of something you do not. I know several Jewish people that have been considered the “black sheep” of the family for marrying outside of their faith. I have a cousin that endures a lot of flack from people because she married an African-American man. Some people are tolerant, and others continue to have their beliefs of what is right and “wrong” but there is nothing that actually prevents them from doing this.

So why are people struggling so hard to make it “illegal” for two people who love each other to show their commitment, simply becuase they are the same gender? It is just so wrong… or as the homophobes would say… It is so gay.

OK, awkward segue, I admit, but while I am on this topic, I love the new PSA commercials from ThinkB4youspeak.com. I remember (but can’t find) a story recently where a student was suspended for saying somebody was “so gay” because she (and her parents) couldn’t understand what was so wrong with what she said. Unfortunately if you look at some of the “replies” and “comments” on YouTube to the campaign, and it seems that the only people (so far) who “get it” are the people that already know it is wrong. Others continue their homophobic tirades, or just show their ignorance is supporting “free speech.” Still, I am hopeful that maybe it will reach at least some people that picked up the phrase without actually understanding what they are saying.

Finally, I missed this initially, but apparently identifying yourself as a Lesbian gets you banned from Xbox Live, because others find it “offensive.” I realize Microsoft is a big corporation and that within their ranks there are some people that are probably not the brightest bulbs on the planet within their employ… but I am completely confounded by a corporation founded by what could be considered the original “nerd squad” (see not funny if you are a nerd) allowing a policy of intolerance. I don’t own an Xbox, thus I don’t participate in Xbox Live. But until this policy changes, Microsoft can be damn sure, they will not get a dollar from me until that changes.

It just continues to boggle my mind.  I keep hoping that someday soon, this whole silliness can be put to bed, so we can all have a a yabbadabba-doo time,  A dabba-doo time, We’ll have a gay old time.

Imagine my surprise, when Whit provided me with the opportunity to do it as part of a project on a much grander scale.  Anyway, due to some slip ups, I am only getting started, but I will be joining a band of most excellent bloggers (check out the About Us page for the list of stars I will be trying to live up to) , writing at UpTake.com.

Yesterday was actually the official launch, and you can check out the official launch of their Travel Network Blog.  For those that like read such things, there is even an official press release of the launch event (that I missed), for everybody else, just go and check out everything they have to offer, because with real reviews and blogs written by real people and not, say… imaginary gnomes, UpTake is … Your first Step to a Great Trip.