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Current mood:  energetic Category: News and Politics
Hey Everyone --
I've kept my blog mostly free of political ranting and raving this campaign season ... no big loss, as I'm sure you're getting enough of this crap from every conceivable source this year. But, on the eve of Election Day, I have to break my silence and weigh in on an issue that's absolutely critical to all of us. I'm urging you to join me in voting "No" on California State Ballot Proposition 8, which seeks to eliminate the rights of gay and lesbian couple to marry. If you read no further, that's fine -- just take this simple message away with you: If you live in California, VOTE NO ON 8.
Now, some of you might be -- are almost certainly -- thinking, "I live in California. My vote really won't matter at all." Not so! While some of the national races may be polling well beyond the ability of a single voter to influence, there are a number of local elections and statewide ballot initiatives / propositions that are polling VERY closely and will actually impact your life (or the life of someone close to you) in a very real way. Proposition 8 is one of those issues.
Background
Proposition 8 will amend the California State Constitution to eliminate the rights of gays and lesbians to marry. Currently, there are over 16,000 legally married gay and lesbian couples in California, thanks to a landmark California Supreme Court decision this past May. That decision declared any law that would seek to discriminate against citizens based on their sexual preference unconstitutional. And really, this was just the Calif. Supreme Court weighing in on something that all of us normally take for granted: no matter how we (as individuals) feel about homosexuality or marriage, it's wrong to take away peoples' fundamental rights. It's wrong to write discrimination into our state Constitution. It's right to say no to hate. It's right to champion the cause of equality. It's right not to put limits on loving, stable relationships between consenting adults. Prop 8 would actually make an end-run around the Supreme Court by amending the state constitution to legalize discrimination.
There is a TON of misinformation and confusion out there right now about this issue and, as a result, polling on the issue is very tight. It's going to come down to the wire. Everyone who believes it's not the government's job to tell us who we can and can not love should be out in force voting NO on this mothereffer.
You can get more info. by visiting the EQ CA Website at http://www.eqca.org/
This Time, It's Personal
Look, everyone reading this blog entry knows -- is friends with, is related to -- someone who is gay. My own mother is gay. She told me recently that she was actually terrified to put up a "No on 8" sign in her yard because she was afraid of how her neighbors -- many of whom are flying the "Yes on 8" flag -- might react. She might be alienated. She might find her house vandalized. She might be threatened. And I've heard similar stories from other No on 8 supporters; their houses have been egged. Their yard signs have been slashed. They have been personally confronted.
And ultimately, that's what this is about: it's not about "defending marriage" or "protecting our kids" or tradition or religion or anything else like that. It's about the rights of people to live their lives free of discrimination and intimidation. And the people who stand against that -- who stand up for discrimination -- are using this proposition as an excuse to bully, intimidate and threaten. Well, I'll tell you what: we're not going to let that happen without a fight. The days of meekly hiding from the light are over. We're taking it to the barricades this year, and we're going to vote down Prop 8 and send the bullies packing. I'm even taking the day off work to volunteer as a "No on 8" polling place captain here in Orange County to make sure everyone who wants to raise their voice against Prop 8 can do so -- and know they have a friend watching their backs.
Let's Vote!
So get out and vote. Do it for your friends. Do it for your families. Do it for me, and for my mom -- who deserves lifelong companionship and a bully-free life just like everyone else. Just get out and vote NO on Prop 8.
And do one more thing for me: watch the video below, and send it to some friends who might still be on the fence. Heck, send it to friends who are on the other side of the fence, and at least hold them accountable for the decision they're about to make. Thanks for your time ... I'll see you at the polls!
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5:13 AM
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