On a personal note, at this point Prop 8 is not just denying people rights. It is FORCIBLY removing rights from certain people.
My new husband and I just got married last weekend in Santa Monica. The ceremony was beautiful, perfect and magical in every way. It was also legally recognized by the State of California, which made it even more beautiful, perfect and magical.
This wedding is legal because some Judges did their jobs and interpreted the California Constitution as having no room for "separate but equal." Turns out, in their estimation, "separate but equal" is another way of saying "discrimination" and on these grounds, they struck down a citizen-generated proposal recognizing only heterosexual marriage that was passed 8 years ago.
Now, the same people who passed the original unconstitutional proposition are angling to change the constitution, thus circumventing a judicial process that has taken 8 years to finally come to a close. A huge amount of money for this is coming from out of state (with the membership of the Mormon Church being directly responsible for anywhere from 30-40% of the funding) because there are people in America who fear a domino-effect tipped off by Massachusetts and gaining momentum with California.
So I am asking that people from both in state and out of state donate to say NO to Prop 8. Don't think that just because it is happening across the country, it won't happen to you. Also, remember that on some level, EVERYONE is a minority. How would you feel if your best friend was deported because he was a Muslim? Or how would you feel if you were denied the right to visit your children after a bunch of people WHO HAVE NEVER EVEN MET YOU decided that you do not deserve these rights because you aren't married to the right person, or have the right job?
Stephen and I are married legally and hopefully will continue to be here in California. If Prop 8 does pass, the Attorney General has stated that he will work to keep legal recognition for all unions that were legal at inception. In that case, on a certain level Prop 8 doesn't matter. Stephen and I and numerous others will still be married and the religious right will have (and all ready has) failed.
But what happens if the Attorney General is replaced by someone who does not feel that certain minority rights should be defended? Will they revoke our marriage license? And will you stand idly by as your brothers, sisters, sons, daughter, friends, co-workers, neighbors lose the protections that legal marriage grants them?
I hope not.
Ethan
----- Original Message ----
Subject: help
I'm sending this to everyone I can think of who might just take a moment to read it and pass it on. It is deeply personal to me and I'm asking for your help.
California has taken the step to allow someone like me and my partner Davy, whom I love more than anything, to share in the same civil marriage rights as anyone else.
In the coming election there will be a proposition introduced to California voters, Prop 8. If passed it would amend the California constitution to disallow someone like me from ever getting married there.
I don't understand why this issue even exists or why I have to fight and beg to be allowed the same rights as anybody else.
There are three very lovely, very short ads linked below which I'm hoping you'll take a look at and consider sharing with anyone and everyone you know. Perhaps post them on your webpage, myspace, facebook, etc.?
Perhaps you don't live in CA, perhaps you don't know anyone who does, but I believe in the power of a network of people. Through friends of friends, family and associates, I'm sure this argument might just find it's way into the inbox of enough people who can vote against Prop 8. Folks who might not even know to look for it. Please forward indiscriminately.
And as a resident of a state that will acknowledge a legal same sex marriage even if it won't perform it (New York), it is as relevant to me that California will perform that marriage as it would be if I lived there.
Davy and I need your help. Look at the links below. Get out the word.
Love,
Michael
PERMISSION:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
GARDEN WEDDING:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
PSA No to Proposition 8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
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