Something extraordinary is happening in California.
When it became clear a few weeks ago that right-wing extremists were pouring millions of dollars into our state to attack our fundamental freedom to marry -- Californians who care about justice started fighting back.
Californians didn't wait for a campaign, or a consultant, or a politician to tell them what to do. Across the state, hundreds of thousands of people started standing up and speaking out against Proposition 8.
We used our own words and spoke from our hearts. We started emailing, writing checks to No on 8, blogging, posting videos, picking up the phone and most of all speaking out at our jobs, to our friends and to our families about how terribly wrong it would be to use our Constitution to eliminate the right to marry for lesbian and gay couples.
This has probably been one of the most powerful flash campaigns in US history. A few weeks ago, the right-wing money machine was winning. Today -0 we are on the verge of overwhelming their money with the combined power of hundreds of thousands of Californians who are doing their part to defeat Proposition 8.
Let's keep it going. We have contributed millions already -- let's do more. We have sent millions of emails. But we can't stop until we have emailed every single person we know and asked for their vote and their support. Let's keep blogging, posting videos, writing letters, calling and talking to everyone we know.
Proposition 8 is a terrible attack on our lesbian and gay friends, neighbors, co-workers and family members. But the response of our community shows the best of California -- hundreds of thousands of regular people across the state joining together almost spontaneously to say "NO" to using our laws to hurt our fellow Californians.
"Yes we can" has a whole new meaning in California today. We are showing that we can stand up to right-wing extremists and protect equal rights for every single Californian.
Let's show that we can every single day until the polls close on November 4th.
Tune into The Gavin Newsom Show next Saturday at 11AM PST on Green 960 AM. I will be hosting a special election broadcast about California's fight for equal rights.
Follow Gavin Newsom on Twitter: www.twitter.com/GavinNewsom
I am a bigot because:...1. Throughout history, marriage has only been between a man and woman...2. The natural law of humanity only allows an egg and sperm to procreate...3. Civil Liberties is not civil rights..4. Civil rights is not conduct...5. We are being indoctrinated by society to accept conduct when it goes against personal ethics..6. Businesses, churches, government and families should have freedom of speech by the foundation that this land was based on and not be tried for discrimination....
Religion is conduct. Do you really want to go down that road?
Gay marriage doesnt affect churches and other religious bodies per se.
BUT what if a gay couple wanting to marry sues the church on grounds of *discrimination*? what if a gay couple requests a school district to include gay marriages in the curriculum and then sues the district for discrimination if they dont comply? Gay marriage per se doesnt make churches and other religious bodies lose tax exempt status: but a lawsuit alleging discrimination may well do that. Didnt a gay couple in MA sue a photographer for not photographing their wedding? Didnt a Catholic adoption agency in MA shut down because of their refusal to let gays adopt from their agency? This refusal stems primarily from religious grounds....why are they being forced to act otherwise. So can I can get sued if I--because of my beliefs or otherwise--refuse to rent out my house to someone who I personally happen to disagree with? Whether you wish it or not, gay marriage DOES threaten other freedoms because it has taken the form of a civil right. THIS is the reason why people are for prop 8, not because everyone is a bigot although that is what the majority here is likely to feel.
I have misstated something here, I would love to be corrected.
Q. What if a gay couple allege discrimination by the church?
A. Did the church discriminate? If so, it's guilty.
Q. What if a gay couple want inclusion in curricula?
A. Are they excluded? If so, guilty.
Q. Did you discriminate against someone in housing?
A. If you did, then guilty.
Anything else?
And again, please understand that we're talking about the CIVIL institution of marriage, not the religious ritual. Don't worry, all the GLBT folk at your church are probably in the closet or else wouldn't be able to stomach it.
Discrimination is not permitted by the constitution under any circumstance; the larger question is what constitues discrimination esp when there is a clash between individual rights (right to provide or withhold services according to one's belief's or preferences) and perceived discrimination . How would we know for sure the doctor is withholding the service because he/she is against abortion (individual beliefs and freedom) as opposed to because the woman is black (discrimination).
I also don’t see how other states cannot recognize these marriages if a couple were to move. There are protections set up that mandate that states recognize legally binding unions. If in Michigan there is a waiting period to be married and I chose to get married in Nevada without waiting, Michigan still has to accept the union. States even have to accept underage marriages that are legally performed in other states. How should this be any different?
The very same protections also govern states when it comes to drivers licenses. A Michigan license makes it legal for me to drive in all 50 states.
This is a perceptive comment.
The culprit, DOMA (The Defense of Marriage Act) passed by none other than Bill Clinton, the bigot.
"No state (or other political subdivision within the United States) need treat a relationship between persons of the same sex as a marriage, even if the relationship is considered a marriage in another state."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_of_Marriage_Act
This is clearly unConstitutional.
Good luck on defeating Prop 8, Cali. This Arizonan is with you and will be voting the same way on our Prop 102 here.
your comment was PERFECT.
thank you for posting.
First of all, we do not live (all evidence to the contrary) in a theocracy. The only document under advisement in this argument is the Constitution - NOT the Bible. All people are guaranteed equal protection under the law. Even civil unions - although appearing as some welcome degree of progress - in fact only represent more discrimination. Either you have equal rights or you don't. There is no middle ground. Everyone has the legal right to be married. You may not like it. You may not allow it in your church. You might not invite them over for dinner. That is your right. But NOBODY has the right to amend the Constitution in order to discriminate against a group of people that they don't like or don't approve of. Be very careful what you start here folks. Some day certain religions may pass out of favor and then we could be looking at a Constitutional amendement to ban Christians from owning property of marrying. If all it takes is a majority of voters to legalize a form of discrimination, then no-one is safe.
We need to be much more protective of our Constitutional freedoms than this. If you start swinging that axe you never know who might end up getting hit.
I have been a Christian 30+ years and regard this nonsense - destructive and defiant of the very WORD they are suppose to know and comprehend and have studied their entire 'religious lives'.
Unfortunately we were caught off guard by the influx of money from out of state contributers (focus on the family, Dobson and his ilk) that wants to pass this proposition. Now that their arguments are being debunked and proven false, I can only pray that the electorate will not be swayed by the closed-mindedness of out-of-staters. I also pray that a so-called 'Bradley effect' is not going on here, saying one thing and doing another.
I urge everyone here that resides in California to vote no on 8 and tell your friends and co-workers to do the same!! Get to the polls early!
If it wasn't for the out-of-state fear peddlers predicting the end of the world over this issue, few would actually care at all.
i am responding to a previous comment made about churches who are against having to marry gay couples.
That is one of the many lies told by the Prop H8 people. That churches will be forced to marry gay people against their will.
What is with the lying by so called Christian People? Hard to tell them from republicans any more. They just lie and lie and lie. No honor, no shame, no dignity, just lie to get their way and then act all pious and pure.