Nearly three weeks after election day a Bangor High School student continues to fight for a cause she believes very deeply in. Antonia Carroll is a junior at Bangor High School and a fierce supporter of marriage equality. So it's no surprise how she was feeling the morning of November 4th. "I was horrified, I had been up the whole the night, I couldn't do my homework, I had been up the whole night monitoring election results. "
Carroll is 16-years-old, not even eligible to vote but this particular question on the ballot struck a chord with her. "It's extremely important to me, I mean there are some issues that I'm extremely motivated for, but when this one came up, it's huge because this one is about equality."
So Carroll decided she wasn't going to take this defeat lying down. "The very next day I emailed the Peace and Justice Center about organizing this event." The rally she organized at Pickering Square in Bangor drew a crowd of around 50 people. The adults on hand say they admire the spirit of this 16-year-old.
Dana Williams lives in Belfast and works with kids in the Bangor and Brewer area. He says it's exciting to see kids taking an interest in politics. "To have young people picking up this torch and carrying it forward is I think absolutely critical," he says.
Many people at the rally who supported gay marriage think the younger generation hold the key to swinging the next vote in favor of gay marriage in future elections. "It is absolutely amazing," says Williams, "we'll be helping out the next time this comes to a vote but it's going to be these young people here who who are going to be spear heading that, and this is just the kind of enthusiasm and positive approach that it's going to take."
As for Antonia Carroll, she vows to keep on fighting this fight and in two years she's looking forward to casting her first ballot. "It's sort of an outreach to anyone who hasn't decided yet or hasn't realized yet, or anyone who is really discouraged about this to give them a hope and to understand that we're not going to give up and this is a really important issue we can't give up on."
Comments
But, I am NOT surprised to hear that those like Williams who favor "Gay Superiority" look to her as a leader. Children leading this self-indulgent movement! How appropriate! What's the matter, can't find any adults to do it?
You can try every pathetic trick in the book, but Mainers have spoken. Now shut up and go away! And take your little puppet kids with you!
Yes, people are people. And some people act irresponsibly. Some even immorally. But hey, they are only people right? And it's only behavior, right? Who are we to judge?
So going on your premise, you have no problem accepting that the majority of Mainers see marrage as being ONLY between one man and one woman. You accept them sticking up for their beliefs, right?
I think not! Your side preaches tolerance as long as it's on your terms. Where is your tolerance for the majority? Or are all who disagree with your twisted thinking homophobes? By the way, I have yet to meet a gay or lesbian worthy of fear! Pity maybe, but not fear. So calling it a phobia is rather stupid.
Saying gay marrage has anything to do with equality proves you, Antonia (and I dare say many others) are not burdened with such.
This issue has nothing to do with equality! That was a catchphrase used by proponents, designed to dupe the naive into voting for their cause. Successful, but a ploy nun the less.
It could be argued that, because of their chosen behavior, one group of people who choose to be different, want the same titles as the mainstream. This is counter-intuitive.
I believe wholeheartedly in equality for people who behave equally. I am not saying Gays are less, just that they choose to act differently from the norm. They should embrace that difference. After all, they make great sacrifices to be different. They work very hard at being out of the mainstream. They flaunt those differences and even celebrate them. (When was the last time you saw a Hetero Rights Parade?) Yet they want the same old titles as the mainstream.
Now before you go getting all worked up, I'm not saying Gays can't have meaningful relationships. Ones with all the legal and cultural advantages (and disadvantages) as the rest of society. We ( the voters of Maine) are only saying that the relationship can't be called "Marriage". Marriage is between one man and one woman!
So I reiterate, Shut up and go away, before you're grounded to your room!
(Condescending enough for you or should I try harder?)
First, my child would never prostrate herself like Miss Carroll is doing. She worked very hard to see that the well informed voters voted to defeat "Gay Marriage". For all her hard work, I'm very proud of her.
As to what i would do if my child (children) came out to me? FAT CHANCE OF THAT! I am pleased to say that all my kids were born completely normal. Their lifestyle choices are also completely normal. Sorry, no chic gay lifestyles here.
But again (since you missed it last time), you are correct about everyone having a right to their own opinions. But Antonia beating this dead horse is akin to Al Gore preaching what we now know to be the BIG LIE of global warming.
Now please excuse me while I get back to something really important.
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