Bloggers have been asked to participate in Write To Marry Day today in order to highlight the campaign to OPPOSE the very discriminatory Proposition 8 ballot initiative that Californians will vote on next Tuesday. I have decided to take this opportunity to write up a post why I believe that Proposition 8 is harmful, not only to California but, to our country as a whole. As a person who would be directly affected by this hateful proposition, I feel incumbent to lend my support to the defeat of Proposition 8 in the State of California:
For me, the matter is a very simple one. It is absolutely wrong to legislate discrimination in this country. If Proposition 8 passes, the Constitution of the California will be amended to specifically deny the right to marry to same-sex couples. Not so long ago, it was the rule of law in this country to separate African Americans from Caucasians in schools, restaurants, buses, water fountains and more. It was legislated that “separate but equal” was fair and that segregation was just. The end of segregation in this country came from the Supreme Court. The highest court in the land ruled that denying the rights of minorities in any legislation was illegal under the terms of our US Constitution. Remember, it was legislatures in some States that drafted and passed laws that discriminated against African Americans. It was the executive branches of those states that enforced those laws. It was only when the high court stepped in to invalidate those laws and INSIST that all citizens of the United States be treated equally that our country was able to move forward towards ending segregation and discrimination against minorities. This Proposition 8 matter is the very much the same thing. We have learned that legislating unequal treatment is wrong. Even if you don’t believe in same-sex marriage, no matter who you are and for whatever reason, you have to agree that discrimination is wrong … it is un-American and it opposes everything that our country stands for. We live in a nation where we promise liberty and justice for all. Does it sound right that some citizens should not be allowed to marry just because other citizens think they should not be allowed to? No, it doesn’t — and that is why laws in some States that outlawed interracial marriage were struck down as illegal. It is the duty of our country to defend the rights of the minority in order to achieve equality for all. Allowing same-sex marriage rights WILL NOT AFFECT the marriage rights of anyone else … and for that reason alone it seems foolish to try and deny those rights to anyone. This would be the first time a Constitution would be amended to take away rights from a group of people. Even Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is voting against Prop 8. It’s just plainly wrong.
It really boils down to a simple matter of fairness. There were many, many people who vehemently opposed granting equal rights to women in this country. Our nation wouldn’t allow women to be discriminated against. There were many, many people who vehemently opposed granting equal rights to African Americans and other racial minorities in this country. Again, our nation wouldn’t allow those injustices to occur. Even tho there are many people out there who oppose granting EQUAL RIGHTS to same-sex couples, I honestly believe that our nation will not allow such discrimination to occur. The United States of America was founded on the fundamental belief that All Men are Created Equal. It’s as simple as that. I am Voting No on Proposition 8 because I want to see my country take the next step in fully realizing the principles it was founded on. Prop 8 is unfair and wrong. I believe that marriage equality should be enjoyed by all.
I know there are many people who would love to support the campaign to DEFEAT Prop 8 but they live outside of California. I would urge those folks to click HERE to donate whatever you can to help us Californians defeat this discriminatory proposition. I have donated a couple of times and I know the No on Prop 8 campaign can use all the money they can muster. It’s a tough time economically, but if you can donate anything I know it’ll help defeat legalized discrimination and uphold marriage equality for all.
I’m pretty sure my marriage will survive if any state, or even the whole country, decides to allow gay people the right to marry. I am totally confused as to why some people feel their vows are somehow less sacred or important just because another couple is also allowed to marry.
Jennifer B., I appreciate you explaining your stance in what is obviously a well thought out and not inflammatory manner, but you could also look at this the other way. If, as you say, people are “choosing” partners that do not fit the definition, what’s to prevent the government from coming along later and further limiting that definition? What if you one day were not allowed to marry someone of another race, religion or political affiliation? Restricting rights in the constitution is never a good idea. Our country is built on preserving freedoms, not taking them away.
Of course not every sexual urge should be acted on. But we’re not talking sexual relationships here. We’re talking love, family and the right to find that happiness in a mature and mutually committed relationship.
I don’t understand how people can use the argument that they are “defending the traditional role of marriage”. In Western civilization marriage was not just a personal matter concerning only husband and wife, but rather a business merging of their two families. Most marriages, therefore, were arranged. Romantic love wasn’t even originally involved!
And if you go through world history, there have been various incarnations of “Marriage”, some devoid of romantic love, some arranged, some with patriarchal family structure, some with matriarchal, some polygamist, etc, etc…
Marriage has NOT always been tied with religion.
I don’t know, I just don’t see how anyone can claim the a man/wife structure is “”traditional” unless they discount hundreds of years of world/cultural history.
Of course, I guess that isn’t much of a stretch for the same people who don’t believe in Dinosaurs.
No to Prop 8!!!
I live in Northern California–San Jose to be specific. We’re a pretty liberal area when all is said and done. I went for a walk in my neighborhood yesterday (taking new baby out for a spin) and was shocked to see a number of Vote Yes on Prop 8 signs dotting the lawns just around the corner from my house. I mean seriously, are these people for real?! I’m generally pretty protective of people’s right to believe whatever the hell suits them as long as it doesn’t harm anyone. But this is a friggin joke. It was the first time I’ve EVER considered sneaking out at night and removing political lawn signs.
To me, giving all folks the right to marry is a no-brainer. And it pisses me off when I see so many people getting worked into a frenzy about this issue when there are SO many bigger things at stake — the faltering economy, the war in Iraq, etc. You mean to tell me giving gays the right to marry is more troublesome to people than the fact that our country is going down the toilet? Ugh.
Had to rant…I already voted by mail and if you didn’t already guess, voted “no” on Prop 8.
Thanks so much for this! I wish I lived in California so badly so I could Vote NO!!!
I’ve been trying to say this to people that it’s like women’s rights and african americans rights in the early 1900′s. People tell me I’m ridiculous – you hit it right on the nose Trent. I really don’t understand how one would vote YES! Those people are disgusting.
Jennifer B.- You wouldn’t be a bigot if you have reliable evidence to support your argument. Yes, you shouldn’t be able to marry your close relatives, there is scientific proof that marrying your close relatives causes genetic deformities- hemophilia (lack of clotting agents in your blood) being one of the many. Yes, there should be age limits, because children don’t have the mental capacities that adults have and cannot understand at the same level. I’m not saying that to sound like an ass, but in modern psychology with the modern technology we have, we are understanding the intricacies of the brain throughout years of development.
Kristen- The bible also says “Judge not, lest ye be judged.”
Don’t forget that it was not that long ago when WOMEN didn’t even have rights, that we were just property to be sold and traded as slaves. (And some still are!) We got the right to vote in 1920, which was 144 YEARS after America was founded. We STILL don’t have equality to men, so who are we to be denying any shred of equality to someone else?
Liz The Second,
I did not use religion as a reason for anything; in fact if you read my post it doesn’t voice my opinion either way. It simply states that it wasn’t respectful to call others nutjobs due to their opinion. And no you did not clarify which right-wingers you were calling nutjobs such as those who say gays are going hell. Regardless of my opionion I would never tell someone they were damned to hell especially for thinking different than me! I absolutely appreciate your views and think it is great we see a lot of things the same way. It is very hard to feel one way politically and another socially; it is something I struggle with everyday. That being said, I feel blessed to live in a country that let’s me vote and converse with others that feel different.
Have a great weekend!
Bubblegum, you made an excellent point. Despite the romanticized stories that we have all heard as children, marriage for love is a relatively recent concept. Marriage, in a historical sense, was simply a stratigical arrangment to secure property and/or money and/or security for their family. Now, i am not trying belittle the idea of marriage, i believe marriage has evolved into a wonderful expression of two people’s love for eachother. Why should two men/women be denied the right to express their love the way a man and woman can? Do they not love eachother in the same way?
I find it ridiculous that the government feels it has the power to intervene in people’s lives like this. I feel very fortunate to live in country where this issue has been addressed and people are free to marry who they love.(Canada:)) If i could i would definitely vote NO on Prop 8.
Amen, Trent, Amen!
THANKS!!! VOTE NO TO 8!!!
IT IS WRONG! I WILL BE PERSONALLY EFFECTED BY THIS AND I WAS PLANING TO GET MARRIED IN 1YR 1/2..NOW HOW DO WE CHANGE PLANS?? EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO MARRY WHO THEY LOVE WEATHER MAN-MAN OR WOMAN-WOMAN…WE ALL HAVE THAT RIGHT!