Melissa Ethridge Shouldn't Have To Pay Taxes
Filed under: Politik > Melissa Etheridge
With the passing of that stupid Proposition 8 in California, many celebs are speaking out such as Ellen DeGeneres did.
Well, singer Melissa Etheridge is speaking out as well.
Ethridge planned to legally marry her partner Tammy Lynn back in early October. But with the new proposition, the right for gays to marry is gone.
And Ethridge isn't too pleased about that. In fact, she thinks she shouldn't have to pay taxes. What for? She's not being treated like a regular citizen, why pay like one?
Ethridge took the time to write a response to the proposition, and here is some of what she has to say:
"Okay. So Prop 8 passed. Alright, I get it. 51% of you think that I am a second class citizen. Alright then. So my wife, uh I mean, roommate? Girlfriend? Special lady friend? You are gonna have to help me here because I am not sure what to call her now. Anyways, she and I are not allowed the same right under the state constitution as any other citizen. Okay, so I am taking that to mean I do not have to pay my state taxes because I am not a full citizen. I mean that would just be wrong, to make someone pay taxes and not give them the same rights, sounds sort of like that taxation without representation thing from the history books.
Okay, cool I don't mean to get too personal here but there is a lot I can do with the extra half a million dollars that I will be keeping instead of handing it over to the state of California. Oh, and I am sure Ellen will be a little excited to keep her bazillion bucks that she pays in taxes too. Wow, come to think of it, there are quite a few of us fortunate gay folks that will be having some extra cash this year. What recession? We're gay!
Oh and too bad California, I know you were looking forward to the revenue from all of those extra marriages. I guess you will have to find some other way to get out of the budget trouble you are in.
When did it become okay to legislate morality? I try to envision someone reading that legislation "eliminates the right" and then clicking yes. What goes through their mind? Was it the frightening commercial where the little girl comes home and says, "Hi mom, we learned about gays in class today" and then the mother gets that awful worried look and the scary music plays? Do they not know anyone who is gay? If they do, can they look them in the face and say "I believe you do not deserve the same rights as me"? Do they think that their children will never encounter a gay person? Do they think they will never have to explain the 20% of us who are gay and living and working side by side with all the citizens of California?
I got news for them, someday your child is going to come home and ask you what a gay person is. Gay people are born everyday. You will never legislate that away."
CLICK HERE to read the rest of her great thoughts.
[Image via WENN.]
Re: Kilee Lynn –
Because of course GOD is the ultimate authority in this country.
Re: dansergrrl –
As of Wednesday (12 November), you need to move Connecticut to the marriage side, not the union side.
Re: Andy202 – Ok I think everyone needs to understand that my stance on this might be unique and different from everyones. Yes, if you believe you're "gay," you have the same rights as everyone. We all do. I have gay friends and respect their choices even if I don't agree with them. I believe being gay is a choice, because not one study and not one person has given me any proof that you are born that way. I don't think it should be called marriage if two gays do choose to be together, I just think it should be called a civil union, because yes it is redefining the definition of marriage as that's the way it's been since the beginning of time. I believe people have been experimenting with the same sex in all cultures since the beginning of time as well, but if it was supposed to be that way don't you think it would be just something completely normal by now?
Also, I'm not sure what your argument about The Bible and God is…you have no idea if I am religious or not because I was just trying to point out that BESIDES from what is taught in the Bible, two gays can't be together because of the cycle of life. You can love someone, or something, regardless. And I know that not everyone is gay, but if they were then the world would end. It's just scientific fact that man and woman are meant to be together because they create life (and it's the same in animals and plants-they have to reproduce between the opposite sex).
Re: MLD – I'm sorry, but what's your point? I did not bring up God in any of my posts. The people I was having conversations with did. In my argument I completely set religion aside to prove my point because not everyone believes in God and I wanted to be able to relate to them.
Re: Kilee Lynn – The ps part wasn't for you that was a general because people like to say the bible is the word of god but fail to realize it has been edited and changed many times over since it's original transcription.
Ok so I let me make sure i understand exactly what you are saying. You have a problem with the word marriage not so much with people of the same sex asking for the rights provided by government to two people that share a life together. So you wouldn't have an issue with this as long as they took out the word marriage. I can respect that because I think there is a lot of conentations to the word "marriage." How would you feel if the civil rights of marriage were taken away from the it and everyone (straight gay trans) had to get civil union? What ever you did for the marriage part would be seperate but just for the rights, like joint income taxes, you had to go to town hall and file a request. Do you think that would be a good middle ground?
Oh shut up! Push your agenda somewhere else you has been. And by the way, that's an OLD photo, neither you or your wife look like that anymore!
Yikes how small minded some of Perez readers are. I actually agree, if a group does not have equal access to the programs available by the taxing entity they should not pay the same tax rate. This is a proposition based in bigotry I can't believe the number of people that will expose themselves as bigots. Time will have these people judged the same way we judge those racists of the 40s and 50s.
Re: Andy202 – haha oh sorry yeah I guess I read that wrong then. Yes, that's pretty much what I'm saying. I, personally, don't know too much about the rights of marriage or rights of a civil union so I think that might be all I can say on the subject, because I don't want to try to make a point if I haven't completely educated myself on it. I can definitely see what you're saying. I don't think just because you're married to someone you should just automatically get all of those benefits, though. I would, however, have an issue if they took out the word marriage for gays, like I said, as much as I love and completely respect everyone's choices and decisions in this world, it doesn't mean I always agree with them. I know that the word marriage is kind of ruined because of how high the divorce rate is, but I don't think that gay marriage would change that (just my opinion though). But to answer your main question I would still have a problem with it because I believe that in the end gays are not meant to be together, however it doesn't mean that in the meantime I'm going to try and discriminate them, disrespect them, or "take their rights away." I hope I explained things ok, I'm tired haha. And I'm glad I am able to have a respectful conversation with someone on this site finally, I always see people going crazy because they all have different beliefs.
LOL, lets see her try and not pay her taxes. This is such a desperately BAD attempt to get her views across. With California being so strongly democrat, I would think that it would not have been passed. However, it was and if she wants to live there she has to deal with it. Just like all of the other pissed off gay couples out there. It is so annoying to hear people compare this kind of stuff to other IMPORTANT things, like taxes. Why does it matter if they can get married or not? No one is telling them to stop being gay. Marriage is a religious and spiritual union and if those that are religious do not want to see gays get married, they shouldn't have to.
Re: Andy202 – Yes, yes, yes!!!!!! Separation of church and state. The government fucked this all up when they took a "religious" term and attached government benefits and rights to it. Like you said. Everyone should get civil unions, to make them a LEGAL couple… all the benefits should be based on that civil union. Then, if the couple wants to be MARRIED, by a church or whatever, they can go do that. They get no additional benefits for being "married" but they get the title they want and everyone gets equal benfits under the "civil union" title. Makes sense to me!!!
You are not second class citizens. Just can't go the marriage route. you can still have the same rights by civil union and by some legal papers drawn up to protect you and Tammy and your children. You are still a fantastic person but i agree with the vote about gay marriage and think marriage should be between a man and a woman.
Re: QUINCYGIRL – EXACTLY.
Re: Kilee Lynn – Not everyone wants to have kids, staright or Gay and pro-create. that IS NOT the only purpose to life. I personally can't stand them and would rather do more with my life than be stuck raising them. your argument is that of a jr. high school student in Kansas. please go educate yourself.
YES!
I TOTALLY
AGREE
W/
HER!
IF
I
DON'T
HAVE
THE
RIGHT
TO
MARRY
MY
PARTNER
THEN
I
WON'T
PAY
TAXES!!!
thanx god that in massachusetts is legal!
don't take that right away from us!
BITCHES!
Re: K8yKat – sorry to burst your bubble but whether you believe someone is born with a gay tendency or develops one the fact of the matter is you still CHOOSE to engage in gay sexual acts. Blacks, hispanics, and women do not CHOOSE how they look. Comparing this to the 60s civil rights movement, no matter how you feel, is an ill-founded and emotionally charged argument.
if all gays stop paying tax,, they would go to jail and they could have hot sex in prison..lol
Re: TylerDurden – You don't know me, don't tell me to educate myself. I happen to be very intelligent and I did nothing rude to you so don't talk to me like I'm an idiot. If you had read my posts before you would understand that I don't think it's the purpose of life. I said it's the FACTS and SCIENCE of life. I order for our world to continue, gays are not meant to be together. Don't pull something on me like not everyone is gay. I know that. That has nothing to do with it. My argument is of a middle schooler? Geez, can you think of anything better to say? So just because you don't agree with my opinion, I'm stupid? Isn't that why this world is beautiful, because we're all different? Isn't that why you love people that are gay? (Not meant to sound rude, cause I'm sure you'll interpret it that way.) I thought that being open minded and educated meant respecting everyone's opinion. But to you, it means "believing the way I do." See, I can still respect your opinion and your right to say it while disagreeing with you. I can still love my gay friends without agreeing with their choices. It doesn't make you stupid and it makes you stupid and close minded to assume I am just because I have a different opinion.
Re: TylerDurden – And by the way, I NEVER said it was the ONLY purpose of life. I said that in order for life to continue (meaning humans, animals, and plants), the bottom line is, it must be different sexes. That's obviously not the only purpose we're here, but I believe we are here to live. It doesn't matter whether everyone chooses to have kids or not and I don't know why you brought your personal feelings about children into this, because we weren't even talking about it. The purpose for life to continue, whether or not everyone wants kids, is between a man and a woman. It is BASIC fact.
I hope she doesn't pay her taxes so she goes to jail and we won't have to listen to her WHINE anymore!
Melissa Etheridge should take her money an have her face fixed.
Waaaaaaaaah, Waaaaaaaaaaah, WAAAAAAAAAAAAH! My GOSH, all these people do is cry! Wanna start blabbing about rights? Ok, what about unborn babies rights? They are human, the moment the sperm touches the egg God breathes life into this teeny tiny little person, but wait…it's legal to murder them because mommy isn't ready for a baby or she was raped or SOMETHING. But was that the baby's fault? Nope. But baby has to be punished for it. So you say you were born gay? Was that your fault? I guess not, but you have to be punished for it….hmmm, see where I'm going here? I hope that you have the same bullshit whining about abortion too, but I bet not, I bet you voted for Obama and you are very happy he's in office making eeeeeeverything better RIGHT?! What about animals rights? You know, those ones that are tortured alive for their fur. They were born with fur, and they are being punished for it. Whoa. There seems to be this trend going on, it's CRAZY! Imagine that, so many things are deprived of their rights because of how they were born.
Re: Merrra – You don't know the technical stuff so why even comment. The "born gay" theory is a sorry excuse to defend ones sexuality. I am gay but I don't grow round telling people that as soon as I came out of my mother's vag, that I go "HEY MUM, ITS SO FABULOUS TO BE HERE!" I don't talk like that either. Some gay people are stupid man. I agree with everything else she said though and I do not think gays should have to pay taxes if they don't have equal protection under the law, no.
Re: Andy202 – Of course, everyone wants religion out of everything. I don't think so. I'd rather not be married if it came to that. MOST people don't get married for "benefits", but because they love each other and want to share that commitment and union under GOD! People wonder what's wrong with the world today…well you just said it "Take religion out of it" Where do you think marriage got started? Two mayors or judges or senates or something got together and said "THIS is how we can give people benefits if they make promises with each other"? NO. People need to start putting God back in their lives, the world would be SO much better.
hmmm some of you guys definitely need a day job…or a hobby. MAYBE even a life. Why on earth do you spend your time replying to someones comment about how wrong they are? whos to decide either one of you are right? you are not going to change that persons mind obviously. All you are trying to do by this is start a fight. you should find something else and apply your energy to that.
Re: pink4987 – Actually, it is perfectly possible to have a job, hobby, etc. while still liking Perez Hilton. For one, why do you care what other people are doing with their lives? Two, maybe a lot of people are trying to start fights, but the reason I like to have discussions with people is to open my mind and see what others have to say. It's just like having a discussion in real life. I am perfectly able to do the other things my life consists of while maybe 2 or 3 times a day stopping by this site. Don't be so quick to judge because maybe you don't like doing the same things.
I agree that it's unfair that Prop 8 was passed. I have to disagree with one commenter who says that California simply didn't want to redefine marriage. California had already defined legal marriage, and had accepted gays. I'm straight, married, and located in PA, but I celebrated with my gay friends when CA allowed legal marriage for gays. It was SUCH a step forward. Then all the religious fanatics kicked in. Christians (in ALL denominations) are the most hypocritical people on the face of the planet. It's a good thing that Christianity is beginning to fall by the wayside as more and more people fail to teach their children religion. Behold, a new generation of atheists! Thank goodness that when they grow up, everyone will recieve equal treatment.
Kilee ,you are too much of a moron and a bigoted cunt to pontificate on why some people deserve rights and others dont. First of all,like all the disgusting bigots on here you say my gay friends. If you have gay friends they must not know what a skanky homophobe you are ,and you are. Not one gay person I know has chosen to be gay,they are born gay and they dont deserve the hate you spew or the dehumanazation you throw at them like a gorilla throwing its fecal matter. Oh and you keep repeating that they can have civil rights,well they dont have civil rights in most of this country,are you aware of that evil bitch. are you? So will the republicans,mormons and their black slaves now fight to give gays all the same rights,if we dont call it marriage.like benefits of federal taxes.etc. Is that what you are saying cnt.
Re: cmd08 – No one is saying you can't be married in front of god, and recognize that but as for the rights, civil rights that have been attached to this word, those would be obtained elsewhere. No one is taking about the significance of marriage if you truly believe marriage is between you and god then I don't understand why you would have a problem with this. The problem with the idea that people need to start taking god back into their lives is extremely flawed in that we don't live in homogeneous society at all. And what god do you refer to? America is based on ideals of freedom of religion thus injecting one god into everything is wrong because there are many religion no matter what you think is the best one and that has to be respected. Also most people i know, straight urban couples, get married in non-religious cermonies, in many so that state will recognize them for the rights. As for validating their relationship with a ring, they don't need it, they know they are commited to one another and their friends and family know. Marriage is a formality.
Re: cmd08 – "because mommy got raped or SOMETHING" I find that really offensive having had family members who were raped and became pregnant with a child. Don't think for a second that it was an easy choice to make for them whether to keep the child or abort. You talk about having babies like its nothing, thats nine months of remember every time you look in the mirror what happened to you and how someone violated your very being. For those who keep they are exceptionally strong people but for those who abort have some compassion. I really can't believe you said some so calous
F*CK YEAH - Mama Ethridge!!
Re: Andy202 – From my own personal experience with gay people, mostly men, I think that the majority of gay people are so because of a traumatic experience in their lives ie. molestation. Also, I sleep with my man every night, but I am not at the capital screaming about it. I love him and will never leave him, but I do not want to marry him. It is none of the governments business if I am married. He is in my will, so that is taken care of. I am amazed at the "liberal" faction of our country wanting the government to coddle and care for them. This is not how it was 10 years ago, when the government was big and they were intrusive on our lives…now the left is inviting them in door with an open arms????? How did that happen?
Re: Shastamagic – yes but you take for granted the fact that even if he wasn't in your will he would have rights and people would rarely question that. You don't have to go to the capital screaming about it, not that I feel we are screaming about who we sleep because we want everyone knowing per say, what you do is protected. Why should you scream about it? you have nothing to worry about. We are not asking the government to come anymore into our lives than that of male female couples. We want equal invasion, equal rights. So that we can have the luxary of saying I sleep by my "insert gender here" every night they are in my will and we don't have to worry about it. As of now people like myself do.
Re: Miss_Mila – Wow. It's so obvious you're a housewife. Dumb you're so damn stupid!
why is it always one dog and one hotty. why cant it be two dogs, or two hottys ?
I LOVE MELISSA. SHE SANG WITH HER BALD HAIR WHEN SHE HAD CANCER AND SHE ROK=D. I ALSO LUV HER COZ SHE'S GAY.
BALANCE THE BUDGET. NO MORE TAX FREE RIDE FOR THE MORMONS. REMOVE THE TAX FREE RIDE OF THE MORMONS WE PAY TAXES…THEY SHOULD TOO. www.mormonsstoleourrights.com
Re: LVlove –
No one is taking marriage away from you, and saying so makes you sound like a selfish child. All it would mean is that not only can you get married to whomever you choose, but so can a gay person. I can see that you are afraid of what you don't understand, but don't put that in the way of other people's rights.
Re: Genesis –
You are disgusting. Are you really that stupid and evil? I can't imagine so. Who are you to talk about marriage being a club for single, straight people? It's too bad you missed your chance to be a Nazi.