George Clooney Slams Prop 8

George Clooney has spoken out to E!'s Ted Casablancas about the passage of Proposition 8, banning gay marriage in California:

"At some point in our lifetime, gay marriage won't be an issue, and everyone who stood against this civil right will look as outdated as George Wallace standing on the school steps keeping James Hood from entering the University of Alabama because he was black."

Clooney joins a growing list of stars speaking out including Melissa Etheridge, Harvey Fierstein, Ellen Degeneres and more. Drew Barrymore and James Franco also joined a crowd rallying against its passage.

Comments

[cocodee]

As long as one person is denied civil rights, we are all denied civil rights.
Please write to your senators and representatives at local, state, and national levels.
Civil rights must be protected for all!

[pooh2u]

cocod ee....we lost our civil rights when the government started taxing our earnings, food, clothing, automobiles, boats, ect.....an­d we are going to loose even more of those rights, once Obama starts taxing our retirement and savings.
As once the older generation bites the dust, there will be few out their working, the rest will be waiting for handouts from the government. (both white, black, asian, indian, ect...)

[cantcookwontcook]

BOND007 wrote: ‘’I am from Africa and this is just what stinks about America.’’

If you are really from Africa, then you ought to know that same-sex marriage has been legal in South Africa for a few years now. You obviously don’t know enough about your Continent.

[cruisepuppy7452a]

My question to those that oppose gay marriage is this, how is this harming you personally? I am a straight, female and I have watched many people freak out over an issue that is a non issue. Is it really up to us to tell another person whom they can legally marry? I don't see what the problem is. So god forbid they want the same rights as straight married couples. BIG DEAL. Married is married. Would you also say this to a couple married in a hindu service, or other? No. So why does the idea of two gay people so terrifying to people? Its not our business folks how they choose to live. I t really isnt. I am getting more and more sick and tired of this country and its hypocrissy all the time. You do nothing about a govt. that robs you blind, starts illegal wars over drugs, has secret para military corrupting how media is run, yet, you freak over something this trivial. Where does it end? Will you ban fat people from marrying next, elderly, blind people? Get real.

[pooh2u]

It is not the idea of gay/lesbians marrying, I don't think that bothers the majority. It is the idea that first it is an abomonation towards God under Christian beliefs. Second if you concider one act such as this, to become a civil right then you must allow other rights to be allowed that people feel is their civil right, such as, allowing an adult that is 3 to 30 yrs older then a minor (12-17) to marry if they wish, instead of waiting until the child is the age of what is considered an adult in America. You would have to change laws to allow a human being to marry and animal if they so wish......­.etc. They would have to bring back -prayer in public places as that is a civil right of every American, to have freedom of Religion. We would have to shut down all of our prisons and free those imprisoned with in the confines of those walls, as according to our constitution some of their civil rights are being violated. We would have to do away with taxing income tax or other taxes that you are paying for (sales, luxuary,property, etc) as that is double taxation, which is against our constitution and or civil rights.

[pooh2u]

We would also have to take away, being taxed, to pay for illigals in this country, that pay no taxes, social security, ect, receive free health benefits and receive free schooling, making it equal that, every man, woman, child of every religion, race, (including the white race), pay for any and all services in this country that they wish to receive before such services are met, no money, no handouts, no welfare checks, no freebees for anyone. Which would end up making this nation, like most others having no compassion for any kind of human life.

[Jon-Marc]

There are many protest happening across the country on Saturday against Prop 8. There was also one in NYC last night.
Pictures and video here:
http://rooftopscreaming.blogspot.com/

[LeeCalif]

That was really nice to see !!!

But we do need to start a BOYCOTT CALIFORNIA movement.

Unless we do, the powers that be will continue to pander to the screeching, discriminatory religions

Money, or lack of, gets a good deal of attention.

[Mysticalsister]

As a SF lesbian in a 20 year relationship I don't agree. Boycott the funders of Prop Hate -- it didn't pass by much, our governor was against it, and the coastal cities voted it down (LA was an anomaly due to high hispanic population). Boycott Mormon owned businesses -- they funded more than half of Prop Hate -- also, they are funding a campaign to bring state constitutional amendments banning gay marriage to all 50 states.

The Mormon Church needs to lose their tax exempt status since they are operating as a political entity. And whatever you do, don't ski Utah this winter.

[Mysticalsister]

Lee -- you don't know what you're talking about. educate yourself.

[weatherwaxx]

If you want to boycott, boycott selectively. I have friends in CA who married last month and are waiting to see if their marriage will continue to be recognized. I have other friends who are waiting to be married. Boycotting everything in the whole state will hurt EVERYONE, including gay businesses -- and there are lots of glbt folk in the hospitality industry.

If you want to boycott, here's the list of PropHate supporters:

http://www.afterellen.com/node/39787

[lorenzo48]

there are about a dozen states that have banned gay marriage, maybe we can start a civil war to get them on the gay marriage bandwagon. Seriously folks you have way to much time on your hands if this issue takes up more than a nanosecond of your life

[HedgeBaby]

BOND007: if you think America stinks, why don't you go back to Africa. We don't need you here. I hope you understand that as a foreigner in America, there are millions of people who would stand up for you so that you could be treated humanely and with rights, even if you aren't a citizen. HOW DARE YOU CRITICIZE OUR DIVERSITY AND OUR QUEST FOR CIVIL RIGHTS FOR ALL REGARDLESS OR RACE, RELIGION, OR SEXUAL IDENTITY????? Again I say, if you don't like the way we do things, you are free to leave, and the sooner the better.

[Bond007]

It is terrible that people can compare gay marriage to civil rights for black people years back. What a crack! It's not the same thing.
Gay people should not be allowed to have the same civil rights as straight marriages. This is just sick America. I am from Africa and this is just what stinks about America.
Tell me America, how does a man rise up and claim another man as his wife? What kinds of crapshoot is that? Think about it. I am not prejudist,,, it just doesn't fit,,, the issue is being forced. The will become a stinker in American culture. What a crapshoot!

[ngannon]

People should have the same and equal rights regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation. Therefore gay partners have the right to form legal unions/marriages as do straight partners. This frankly seems so obvious to me that I do not even know why it is an issue. I believe that you are allowing your own views on homosexuality to color your judgement. No one is trying to change your views just as no one is trying to change homosexuals' views. But consenting adults have the right to decide their own sexual orientation. It is not my business. It is not your business. However denying same sex couples the right to marry after they have made that choice is trying to punish them for that choice. That is wrong and I believe that it is illegal.

[pooh2u]

If that is your thought I guess you can then say that those adults out their are being punished that would like to marry their pets, also. Then they could get those 12,000 benefits that married couples get also!! (health care, food, tax benefits, ect).

[SILVANUS]

Then go back to your country. This is America so screw you, jack.

[ngannon]

Yes- this is America and everyone has the right to express his/her views. I don't agree with
Bondoo7 but he has the right to express his views without being told to leave the country.
The "love it or leave it attitude" has been used for a very long time to suppress individual rights- it does not belong in this argument.

[ellawensmom]

Wow. and to think that we Democrats and Liberals just spent the recent campaign season being called anti-American. ha ha ha

[sisterdebmac]

You know what stinks about Africa? 1000 people in Somalia watching a 13-year-old rape victim get stoned to death because you nutballs blame HER for what happened. Until your CONTINENT figures out how to solve its own most basic human rights issues --- like say stopping genocide --- you really think anyone's going to listen to you here? In other words... S. T. F. U.

[KrisKr]

Go back to Africa Bond007. We don't need or want bigoted people like your self here in the US, but we would still stand up for YOUR rights. If you are so righteous and concerned about these sorts of things than go back and straighten out the mess on your continent and leave our United States to us. How does Somalia look for you? Would you have your rights upheld there? Marriage for gay people is a civil right, just like those black Americans that have for too long been denied theirs. We allowed you into the US, what would you say if we took your ‘right’ to stay here away? There are things that might stink about America, but you are not the one to make that statement. How dare you criticize us, you are here as a guest. Go back to Africa and tell which ever country you are from that something there stinks and see if you’d even be alive the next day.

[quadman]

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

[JohnBisceglia]

It's nice to hear "words" from Clooney, but will he put his money where his mouth is? Will he withhold federal taxes until his friends and loved ones have marriage rights?

Either I am a raving, angry, lunatic activist whom is insane enough to be UN-ashamed and UN-apologetic as I Demand civil marriage equality..­.

- OR -

I am a man who simply KNOWS I deserve equality. I AM equal. You may not think so, but I know it.
Be adults. I cannot hold all of your hands as you grapple with your phobias, fears, and obsessions.

We exist. Deal. Now pay my taxes until I am equal. I stopped in 2005.

[sisterdebmac]

I thought the idea was to withhold STATE taxes, which I think is a great idea. The Feds can't do anything about Prop 8.

[realityczech4u]

I can't wait to see this one play out. "Your honor, my client stopped paying his/her taxes because he/she believes he's/she's not being treated fairly by the State of California­."

[realityczech4u]

LOL. The IRS offers a reward for turning in tax cheats. Better hope a hacker doesn't get your URL and track you down. Sure would hate to see you get busted....­.........

[SinisterK9]

Let me know how that works out for you.

[LeeCalif]

Of course, we can boycott Utah, but really, more to the point, We need to BOYCOTT CALIFORNIA.

That's where the scene of the crime is and we're deluding ourselves by pinpointing Utah without
including our own state.
Visitors and out of state conferences should IMMEDIATELY BE DISCOURAGED from spending their
unbiased money in a BIASED STATE.
Go spend your money in another state, PLEASE.

NO ON 8. NO TO CALIFORNIA !!!!!

[Speakupper]

Sorry, LeeCalif, but this sounds like the circular firing squad to me. Why punish the 48% that did vote no on 8, especially in this tough economy? Like it or not, it was a California mayor that took one of the key steps to support marriage equality.

How about a reverse boycott? Reward those that those that took a stand to actively support marriage equality with your purchasing dollars and positive feedback.

List of the donors for and against is here:

http://www.sfgate.com/webdb/prop8/

[TurnToTheLeft]

I agree completely. I have been looking for a list of Prop 8 supporters to boycott. I would also like to partake i large silent protests at the weddings of the rich and powerful who supported Prop H8. Gays are also a large force in the marriage industry - event planners, caterers, waiters, florists, dress designers. I plea with Gay folk n this industry to boycott people who think you are less than equal.

[Artemis34]

Speakupper said "How about a reverse boycott? Reward those that those that took a stand to actively support marriage equality with your purchasing dollars and positive feedback."

I think that is a good suggestion. You can contribute to campaigns to advance equality like the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). http://www.hrc.org/ And you can contribute to the political campaigns of those who want to advance equality, in California and around the world. And we can start making more ethical and socially responsible investments, in companies that at least say the support equality.

We could do both. Stop giving money to those who do not support human rights, and give more to those who do.

Can anyone else suggest some more resources for ways to "say it with money?"

[DeniseD]

I am a Californian, and I voted No on 8. I would like to know why CA should be singled out. What about all of the others states who don't allow gay marriage either? What about the other states that voted agains gay rights on Nov. 4th too? Why should we talk about boycotting Utah either? It is the Mormons who spent 20 million dollars to get this proposition passed, not the state of Utah. I say that the government should take their tax exempt status away from them, since they are obviously involved in politics now. It is ridiculous that you are laying all the blame on CA.

[sclucie]

I'd love to know where the $20 Million figure came from. I've seen 10 different numbers. I'd also love to know what the figure is for Catholics, Evangelicals and just plain bigots. I'd also love to know what the Prop 9 opponents spent their money on - because it was not a campaign.

But most of all, I'd like to know how any sane or decent person can support the people who put together the Prop 8 Invasion ad. I'm not Mormon, I've supported gay rights my entire life. with my time, my votes, and my money. But I have never in my life seen a slimier political ad. That is what stays with me - and if that ad reflects the level of insularity and decency and tolerance in the gay community - you've lost far more than the right to marry.

[SinisterK9]

Don't forget to boycott 7 out of 10 black voters in California.

[RockandRollGhost]

Oh good. I was starting to worry when George Clooney was going to come out on this matter.

all kidding aside, it's ridiculous that this isn't an American right. It's been said before, but if gay people want to be as miserable as us straighties, let 'em. There's nothing sacred about marriage in this world. Never really has been.

[FarOutFish]

Everyone praises Democracy, let the people decide, they know best. This is what you get. The people have spoken, for those in love with Democracy, remember when the majority rules, the minority gets screwed. Fortunately we line in a Republic not a Democracy.

[DeniseD]

This proposition passed because of the lies told to the voters. The Mormons decided to scare voters by telling them that gay marriage would be taught in the CA schools. I know this scared people because my 66 year old mom was going to vote yes until I talked her into voting No. Unfortunately, most voters are uninformed and just believe what they hear on TV. The majority doesn't always know best.

[SinisterK9]

So if the Mormons didn't spend millions, and didn't "scare" people, and the vote was the same, would you still complain? I bet you would.

[RT4]

CLOONEY'S SUPPORT IS NO SURPRISE!! MARRIAGE AS DEFINED, IS A MAN AND WOMAN !! MOST STATES WILL RECOGNIZE CIVIL UNIONS, WHY DOES THAT NOT SUFFICE ?? WHY CLAMOR FOR MORE ?? THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE !!

[Americano]

A civil union is not surfice b/c they want to bring down, destroy "the institution of marriage under God's Blessings!" They want to bring it down the same way Christmas in today's time. Today Christmas is just a buying frenzie, a none-religous event, a 4 day holiday, the term Merry Christmas just means happy holidays! And a lot of people want to permanently change the name of Chrstimas to Happy Holidays. Let the gay community give their civil union a name. Marriage is taken! How about; "Yoke?" The intitute of Yoke! They are getting yoked! They are yoked. They are unyoked. They are engaged to be yoked. Sounds okay! Lets push it. Yoked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[miles120]

Americano,

I can assure you that no one cares about your feelings in this matter, because this isn't a personal crusade against you. No one wants to destroy your life. When all is said and done, you will be free to marry in the manner you choose, and celebrate Christmas without toys and Santa.

Maybe you can only be happy by denying others the same rights that you enjoy without question; in that case I pity you and the lonely life that you will lead.

[sisterdebmac]

You. Are. A. Joke.

[miles120]

Who defines marriage as being between a man and a woman? Would that be your god? What about people who don't believe in your god? Can they not get married?

Why have we not learned the lessons of our past? We denied women the right to vote, passed Jim Crowe laws to segregate minority races, and yet we still shamelessly argue for "separate but equal" marriage laws. People who are comfortable with those attitudes should be ashamed of themselves, and society has a duty to treat them as pariahs.

[pooh2u]

Seems most people who say they do't believe in God are always asking for his forgiveness and have total belief in him when they are about to die!!!


History will show you that money and material things on this earth have no meaning when it comes to the equality, happiness and eternal glory for eternity for those who know God and abide by his word. even Jesus christ his self was a poor man on this earth, and the persicution he went through never stopped him from showing us how we were to live our lives.

Besides that the christian churches of this world are not worried about loosing income from the government as the government does not support them the believers of God support the churches. Even the poorest of poor who have not a cent to their name give what they can to the churches they attend. I have never heard of any non believer supportting any christian church. So you won't be hurting any church that you already boycott because how can you boycott something you have never supported in the first place?>

[pooh2u]

You know miles120 your barking up the wrong tree, apparantly marriage has been defined as being between a man and a woman, since the beginning of time, all over the world. If it wasn't then we would not be fighting over this issue, now would we? Anyone of any gender human or animal would be married and this issue would never of been up for a vote!!! Especially, since none of us would be even be in existence, being that those of the same gender can not create life.

[amantell]

The banning of gay marriage seems very un-American to me. Aside from the breach of privacy rights to which all Americans are entitled, much of the opposition to gay marriage is religiously based, which, when it promotes opposing legislation, violates the separation of church and state that's one of our country's founding principles. There are other social considerations, including legal rights and financial rights to which married couples are entitled. Because of said rights, which are secular in nature, marriage should, as it has historically been, be considered a secular entity. Since it is a secular entity, it would be morally wrong to deny marriage to a portion of our citizenry, essentially making them second-class. The correct answer by government is to allow and uphold gay marriage without qualification. Should a clergy member or religious organization wish to not recognize gay marriage, then it has the right to do so, but without legal standing.

[realityczech4u]

I keep seeing this theory that oppostiion is 'religiously based'. And I grant you it is a shrewd strategy as it brings the First Amendment into play. Unfortunately, it sells the non-religious way short. Morality is not the exclusive province of the religious nor are the non-religious all amoral.

[SBrooksB]

I know what you're getting at, realityczech.

I have to say that I don't think sexual orientation is moral or immoral. It's the neutral fact of how we're constructed. Are you "moral" because you're heterosexual? Morality doesn't even apply.

While it's easy to pick on the churches because they've been big, ugly players in the Prop 8 mess, I realize the church has no patent on intolerance.

I'm angry with the churches, natch -- it's hard not to be -- but I haven't slammed them as part of a "shrewd strategy." It's just that they've given us so much fodder. They're an easy and deserving target.

[williamlucaswalker]

I'm thrilled all these celebs are in our corner... now.

Can't help but wonder where they were when it counted, before the vote. Brad Pitt and Steven Spielberg gave big $$, but would have been nice if they'd backed it up by appearing in a No on 8 ad. Schwarzennegger ditto. Keith Olbermann, George Clooney, Drew Barrymore -- sincerely, I thank you, my husband thanks you, my children thank you. But where was the outrage when it was still possible to sway voters? We were all asleep at the switch. Never underestimate the power of hate, no matter how they clothe themselves.

Lessons learned.

[speeddeeps]

I totally agree, but you have to admit that the no on 8 campaign campaign was weak compared to the mormon yes on 8 campaign. I believe if the no on 8 didnt look at the polls and campaigned as if they were behind( just like the obama campaign) no on 8 would have won

[LeeCalif]

I agree.

[sclucie]

They had over $35 Million dollars. What in the world was that money spent on? I'm a donor. I want to see some accounts.

[lorenzo48]

yeah how come they didn't show up at our rally's and parades, those damn hollywood types write us a check but how dare they not come to our insane little rally 's. Whats the world coming to when you can't bullie everyone into sharing your beliefs

[ngannon]

An issue such as this, the right to marry, should not be left up to the whims of the voters. It should be a fundamental right, such as the right to vote, the right of free speech etc. I think that all unions- gay or straight should be civil unions. If people want to then have religious ceremonies in addition to a legal union/marriage so be it. That way, under the law everyone is treated equally. Churches would have the right to make their own choices and people would have the right to join another church that supports individual freedom.

[wiserat70]

That is one of the most practical, sensible and fair solutions I have heard. Congratulations on your clear thinking.

[miles120]

Actually, that is what already happens now. You don't get married in a church without a civil marriage license. The religious ceremony is in addition to the legal document which is issued by the state. What confuses people is that leaders of the church are sanctioned (like a ship's captain) to witness the civil marriage. Otherwise, the church ceremony is only an affirmation of the participant's belief.

This battle is part prejudice and part political maneuvering to make America a "christian nation." The more public sanction that is given to religious life (school prayer, "Under God", religious marriage, etc.) the harder it will be to maintain the separation of church and state.

Welcome to the culture war front line...

[ngannon]

This is true- however I think that there should be both civil and if desired, religious. I think giving religious people the right to perform the civil ceremony is a problem. What is wrong with having couples go through a legal union, followed by one in their church if they wish.
I don't see he church around to witness divorce.

[Twopennygal]

I keep seeing the yes-on-8 people on the news crying that their religion should be "respected­." My reply is, "what about their respecting my religion?" My religion supports gay marriage. So what makes their religion more valuable than mine? We have religious freedom in this country. Not religious persecution, not just one religion that gets to say how people should live their lives. And religious "laws" are not the law of the land and shouldn't be.

In this country, everybody has the right to their own beliefs. But no one has the right to force their beliefs on others. And that's what those religions are trying to do when they take our civil rights away. This is NOT a christian country. This is not a budhist country. This is not a muslim country. And this is not an atheist country. This is a secular country. But these religious zealots want to change that.

And also, they try to say that this country was created on "christian" principles by christians. No... the majority of our founding fathers were theists. That means they did not necessarily believe in god and Jesus, just that there was one (or more than one).

And one last thing and I'm done: The "author" of prop 8 wants to replace the Constitution of our great country with the bible!

[realityczech4u]

It was only a matter of time before I reached a post citing the founding fathers. When considering the founders views of homosexuals marrying one another and whether they would consider it a right, I envision the following scenario:

While assembled to craft the Bill of Rights, one of the founders stands to be heard. He proceeds to ask the others whether they should specify a "right" to marry and if so, should they spell out that two men or two woment have the right to marry one another. After, perhaps, a limited amount of debate, is it decided that the BIll need not contain that level of specificity, or is that founder immediately jeered and laughed out of the room? You took us back to the founders so there we are. Which would it be?

[prog]

That's a valid point! What if my religion doesn't persecute people? Is it less valid?

What if I belonged to a religion that only allowed gay folks to join, and one of the tenets was that they must marry if they are to live together?

Maybe I'll start that religion, just to give some Mormons an aneurism.

Oh, wait, I'm not gay. I wouldn't be allowed to belong ;)

[sclucie]

That's tolerance? Amazing. I'm not Mormon - I don't go for the planet idea - among other things - but the hatred and intolerance and outright lies I've heard coming from the Prop 8 opponents is unbelievble to me. I've supported gay rights my entire life - and I am stunned. You've lost a lot more than a battle over a proposition.