Vote No On Prop 8

Near as I can tell, we are a group of fairly like-minded readers and contributors. Sure, there are a few disagreements now and again, but we seem to do a good job at being responsible, liberal, open-minded people. So, my guess is I don't need to do a whole lot of convincing most people reading this post about the horrendous implications behind Proposition 8 in California. The hate it engenders, the fear it fosters, the rights it erodes...all of it is simply horrendous.

For those among us who get it and live in California, thank you for your upcoming no vote. For those among us who get it but don't live in California, visit No On 8 to donate because it is going to be hard battle in these last weeks against proponents who have an awful lot of money to throw into the mix. A donation will help fight the following misinformation that is being used to win support for Prop8:

Fiction: Teaching children about same-sex marriage will happen here unless we pass Prop 8.

Fact: Not one word in Prop 8 mentions education, and no child can be forced, against the will of their parents, to be taught anything about health and family issues at school. California law prohibits it, and the Yes on 8 campaign knows they are lying. Sacramento Superior Court Judge Timothy Frawley has already ruled that this claim by Prop 8 proponents is “false and misleading.”

Fiction: Churches could lose their tax-exemption status.

Fact: Nothing in Prop 8 would force churches to do anything. In fact, the court decision regarding marriage specifically says “no religion will be required to change its religious policies or practices with regard to same-sex couples, and no religious officiant will be required to solemnize a marriage in contravention of his or her religious beliefs.”

Fiction: A Massachusetts case about a parent's objection to the school curriculum will happen here.

Fact: Unlike Massachusetts, California gives parents an absolute right to remove their kids and opt-out of teaching on health and family instruction they don't agree with. The opponents know that California law already covers this and Prop 8 won't affect it, so they bring up an irrelevant case in Massachusetts.

Fiction: Four Activist Judges in San Francisco…

Fact: Prop 8 is not about courts and judges, it's about eliminating a fundamental right. Judges didn't grant the right, the constitution guarantees the right. Proponents of Prop 8 use an outdated and stale argument that judges aren't supposed to protect rights and freedoms. This campaign is about whether Californians, right now, in 2008 are willing to amend the constitution for the sole purpose of eliminating a fundamental right for one group of citizens.

Fiction: People can be sued over personal beliefs.

Fact: California’s laws already prohibit discrimination against anyone based on race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. This has nothing to do with marriage.

Fiction: Unless Prop 8 passes, CA parents won't have the right to object to what their children are taught in school.

Fact: California law clearly gives parents and guardians broad authority to remove their children from any health instruction if it conflicts with their religious beliefs or moral convictions.

For those among us who don't get it, stop for a moment and really think about it. Prop8 is inequality plain and simple. Surely we are beyond being a nation that supports inequality between its citizens. Consider the following statement found at Proud Parenting:

Kathryn Kendell, executive director of San Francisco’s National Center for Lesbian Rights, says that gays, lesbians and their straight allies need to educate their friends and neighbors about the importance of voting. “There are heterosexuals out there who might love their gay next-door neighbors, but not bat an eye at voting for Prop 8", said Kendell. “You have to engage them in the harm” she said, adding that if the issue isn’t personalized, “it’s easy for them to think the harm doesn’t exist.”

Bottom line, if you are reading this post, living in California, and on the fence about Prop8 please realize that there is ultimate harm in this piece of legislation in the form of extreme hate. Don't be a part of that hate.

If you are reading this post and are still going to vote yes on Prop8, then you probably should not be visiting this blog at all because you aren't going to like what we have to say.