Education Codes

There are many who claimed that there is nothing in the CA education code about teaching marriage, and here is my response.

"I'm sure most of you, myself included, appreciate real, factual sources rather than, "I heard it from Auntie Mae's neighbor's cousin..." or better yet, sources that aren't for or against the issue. (It would be easier for me if there were more of those resources on McCain & Obama...but that's another topic.) Here is the exact text from the education codes that are being referred to with the OFFICIAL source so you can see them yourself.

http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/lr/cl/

Section 51933 (a) 'School districts may provide comprehensive sexual health education, consisting of age-appropriate instruction, in any kindergarten to grade 12, inclusive, using instructors trained in the appropriate courses.'

So sexual health education is taught to all; appropriate to their age group. Here is the code DEFINING health education; (in addition to maintaining reproductive health, preventing diseases & unwanted pregnancy):

51930 (a) 2.) 'To encourage a pupil to develop healthy attitudes concerning adolescent growth and development, body image, gender roles, sexual orientation, dating, marriage, and family.'

So, sexual orientation, gender roles, marriage, and family are included in the state code on health education for ALL ages."

Sunday Night Broadcast Notes: Part 1

I copied & pasted this from a Facebook note . . . also my response to others who oppose Prop 8 about there being no consequences for others. I know that most that oppose Prop 8 say, "Live and let live...their marriage does not make yours any less important...just get over it...etc." This sounds like a nice ideal, and I wish it were true, but unfortunately it isn't. Supporters of Prop 8 have been criticized for hypothetical arguments, as Jake mentioned above. I went to a broadcast that opened my eyes to the fact that lawsuits & such are not hypothetical, they are already happening! The following are not just stories I heard from someone, these people came to the meeting I watched to tell their story in person:

*Elaine Huguenin - New Mexico - declined photographing a lesbian wedding because it is against her beliefs. They seemed understanding. She then received a phone call saying she had an option of apologizing & paying a fee or getting an attorney. She paid almost $7,000 in attorney fees.

*Four firefighters - San Diego - ordered to walk in the gay rights parade. They witnessed nudity, anti-religious comments & many sexually harassing comments directed at them specifically. When they filed a harassment lawsuit, they had 8 votes instead of 9, so they did not prevail.

*Scott Hoffman - Ocean Grove, NJ - Director of Camp Association - beautiful grounds where marriages are often performed. He was asked by a lesbian couple to perform their marriage, but sat them down & explained that he would not do so. They seemed disappointed, but understanding. He then found that he was being investigated on charges of discrimination. His tax-exempt status was removed without a thorough investigation.

Many say that gay people should have the right to marry, but how can we justify that when it infringes on the rights of others? Do we favor the rights of gays because it is a more forward rather than traditional way of thinking?

Prop 8 Thoughts - Why am I supporting this so strongly? Part I

I'm going to get pretty vulnerable and honest here. Supporting this proposition as openly as I have has really stretched me. I am quite a sensitive person and I have opened myself up for all kinds of ridicule and false accusations. I understand that this is the risk I take in blogging, Facebook notes, etc. I am finally working on a post for my blog that it is just a bunch of bullet points of why I support Prop 8 and some of my response to opposers. I wanted to put out this post before I do so.

I know full well I will not convince most to vote yes on Prop 8; especially not with my limited writing ability. My main purpose in writing about it as much as I have is to simply promote UNDERSTANDING. There is a difference between agreeing and understanding. I have communicated with many people that are against Prop 8. Some have made presumptuous or hurtful remarks to respond to my opinions. Again, I understand that this is the risk that I take in opening myself up online, but it does not make it any less hurtful. There have been some, interestingly enough mostly those that actually ARE homosexual, that have been very respectful and understanding as we have shared our views with each other. One gay guy in particular that I have been communicating with online I wish I could just reach through the computer and hug because he has been SO sweet about genuinely asking why I feel the way I do and LISTENING to my answers as I listen to his view. Is he going to vote yes on Prop 8? No! But he now has a more clear view of why some ARE voting yes & I am more understanding of his perspective. Opinions should be formed from carefully weighing different perspectives and then changed ONLY if there is new information that causes he or she that holds the opinion to re-evaluate; not because they are bullied into changing their opinion.

I have been doing a lot of research & reading from both sides about this topic. I have felt very inadequate to explain myself, mainly because I feel like others wouldn't take the time to listen. I feel like I've been keeping more of an "open mind" than many may think. True, I have not changed my position, but I after reading what some opposers have had to say I find more and more that there are arguments, (only from those that articulate themselves well without getting hateful,) that I say, "Touche" to. Frankly, if I didn't have some of the beliefs that I do I probably would be voting no!

Those that know me personally know that hatred is not even in my language; I don't think I even have it in me to hate. I feel that there are many secular arguments for this proposition, but to be honest, I DO know that many of my reasons for supporting this ARE religious. I completely understand why some people are in opposition to it; particularly those that are homo-sexual. I UNDERSTAND that despite how many times we have are told that their CIVIL RIGHTS do NOT change, that they still feel like they are not being treated equally. While I understand that many will not agree with my personal convictions I hope that I can somehow make my intentions behind my support clear.

To be continued . . .

Same-Sex Marriage - Same as Civil Rights?

The following video features a series of African-American men express their discontent at Prop 8 being compared with the Civil Rights movement.



Harry Jackson - "There is no way to compare the Civil Rights movement and the gay rights movement. We live in a society in which no one wants to be a called a bigot . . . therefore there's been an attempt to hijack the Civil Rights movement & to make it look like this is the same kind of thing (gay marriage) that we are dealing with when the blacks were sitting in the back of the bus. But I am offended by times by that comparison because I had no choice but to be black."

Dwight McKissic - "Homosexuality is a choice and skin color is not a choice and therefore there is no comparison of the two. . . I've met former homo-sexuals but I've never met a former black person."

Wellington Boone - "A person can change their mind about what sexual preference they have out of a conviction and all of a sudden they're heterosexual & they like the opposite sex. Well, I can't change my mind about my race. That's an issue of creation. I'm going to always be black."

IMPORTANT! 5:00 TONIGHT (SUNDAY) BROADCAST FOR PROP 8 SUPPORTERS ALL OVER CA!

I realize most will not get this information in time, but I figured I would try anyway!

BROADCAST at 5:00 TONIGHT

FOR Prop 8 SUPPORTING CONGREGATIONS OF ALL FAITHS

There is BOUND to be a location near you; you can find a list of sites here:

http://www.ccnonline.net/protectmarriage/hostsitelist.htm

SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

*photographer who was sued for refusing to photograph a gay couple's wedding
*father in Massachusetts that was arrested for speaking up about his 5 year old son's education about gay marriage
*leader of a church who lost tax-exemption status for refusing to marry a gay couple
*Chuck Norris :-)

Please spread the word!! Stay strong and keep fighting! Thanks!

~ Mary

National Organization on Marriage

A wonderful, informative article from the National Organization on Marriage: (www.nationformarriage.org)

NOTE: When civil unions, already the law in California (they are
called "domestic partnerships" but offer all the rights and
benefits) are offered as an option, support for same-sex marriage
plummets to less than one-third.

WHAT IS OUR MAIN MESSAGE?

• All Californians have a right to live as they choose; judges don't
have a right to redefine marriage for the rest of us.
• Twenty-seven other states, including Oregon, Wisconsin, and
Michigan have already passed marriage amendments to their state
constitutions
• Marriage is a union of husband and wife. The people of California
do not want the government teaching our children or grandchildren
that our deeply cherished ideas of marriage are just bigotry or like
racism.
• Marriage is about bringing together men and women so children can
have mothers and fathers.

III. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. WHAT DOES THE CALIFORNIA MARRIAGE AMENDMENT DO?

The California Marriage Amendment simply takes the language of Prop
22, passed by 61% of Californians in 2000 ("only marriage between a
man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.") and puts it
in the constitution where activist judges can't overrule the voters.
Same-sex couples already have all the practical rights and benefits
of marriage through civil unions, and this amendment won't change
that. It will protect marriage from activist judges.

2. WHY DO YOU WANT TO TAKE AWAY PEOPLE'S RIGHTS?

All the legal benefits of marriage are already available to same-sex
couples under California's domestic partnership laws, and this
amendment will not change that. This amendment affirms the common
sense wisdom that marriage is the union of husband and wife ; it
will overrule those four activists judges who tried to overrule the
4 million Californians who voted for Proposition 22.

3. ARE YOU A BIGOT? ISN'T IT WRONG TO WRITE DISCRIMINATION INTO THE
CONSTITUTION?

California's marriage amendment is not unusual. Voters in 27 states,
including progressive states such as Wisconsin, Michigan, and Oregon
have supported state constitutional amendments defining marriage as
the union of husband and wife—just as Californians did in 2000.
Marriage is not bigotry; it's common sense.

Do you really believe that people like me who believe mothers and
fathers both matter to kids are like racists? I think that's pretty
offensive don't you? Particularly to the 60% of African-Americans in
California who oppose same-sex marriage. Marriage as the union of
husband and wife isn't new; it's not taking away anyone's rights.
It's common sense."

California's Supreme Court ruling flies in the face of common sense,
and almost every other court in the country. Even courts in blue
states such as New York, Washington, and Maryland recently ruled
that marriage is not bigotry; it's the way we teach young men and
women they need to come together to make and raise the next
generation, so kids have a mom and a dad.

A majority of Americans oppose gay marriage. Marriage isn't a
divisive issue; it unites blacks and whites and Hispanics,
Republicans, Independents and Democrats.

4. ISN'T THE BAN ON GAY MARRIAGE LIKE BANS ON INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE?

Bans on interracial marriage were about keeping two races apart so
that one race could oppress the other. Marriage is about bringing
two sexes together so that children get the love of their own mom
and a dad, and women don't get stuck with the enormous disadvantages
of parenting alone.

Having a parent of two different races is just not the same as being
deprived of your mother—or your father.

5. WHAT'S THE HARM FROM SSM? HOW CAN ADAM AND STEVE HURT YOUR
MARRIAGE?

Who gets harmed? The people of this state who lose our right to
define marriage as the union of husband and wife, that's who. That
is just not right.

If courts rule that orientation is just like race, then people like
you and me who believe children need moms and dads will be treated
like bigots and racists.

Religious groups like Catholic Charities or the Salvation Army may
lose their tax exemptions, or be denied the use of parks and other
public facilities, unless they endorse gay marriage.

Public schools will teach young children that two men being intimate
are just the same as a husband and wife, even when it comes to
raising kids.

One thing is for sure: The people of this state will lose our right
to keep marriage as the union of a husband and wife. That's not right

6. WHY DO YOU WANT TO INTERFERE WITH LOVE?

Love is a great thing. But marriage isn't just any kind of love;
it's the special love of husband and wife for each other and their
children. People have a right to love any way they choose, but
marriage means a union of husband and wife.

7. ISN'T DIVORCE THE REAL THREAT TO MARRIAGE?

High rates of divorce are one more reason we should be strengthening
marriage, not conducting radical social experiments on it.

8. ARE YOU SAYING GAYS CANNOT BE GOOD PARENTS?

Two men might each be a good father, but neither can be a mom. The
ideal for children is the love of their own mom and dad. No same-sex
couple can provide that.

9. WHAT ABOUT OLDER OR INFERTILE COUPLES? IF THEY MARRY WHY NOT SAME-
SEX COUPLES?

Every man and woman who marries is capable of giving any child they
create (or adopt) a mother and a father. No same-sex couple can do
this. It's apples and oranges.

LDS Perspectives: Faith Alone?

I am realizing that this blog will be more frequently updated as I copy and paste my different responses on other blogs, messages, etc. :-) The following represents my personal, religious beliefs on the matter. I wish to separate this from other secular perspectives, because I know these perspectives will not impact most when it comes to voting.

The following is a response I wrote to an LDS woman who was feeling torn about Prop 8. She felt like the message to support Prop 8 was being "crammed down her throat" and that this conflicted with the Church's teachings on agency. She wondered if she could personally ask Heavenly Father about the matter, or if she should take it on faith alone.


"I think perhaps what you are feeling is the pressing urgent nature of [the First Presidency's] statements. Because this is a short-term endeavor, that is perhaps why you feel suffocated, but that is why we are being admonished with a sense of urgency.

You don't have to take it on faith alone. However, if you have a testimony that President Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God and the mouthpiece of God, then you can know what the First Presidency says is from Heavenly Father. We don't have to pray about every single thing that we hear in General Conference. All we need to pray about is if these people are prophets & apostles of God. They are not perfect, but in those settings, they are delivering His message. "Whether by my voice or the voice of My servants it is the same."

We will always have agency. God will not withhold from giving commandments through His prophets because He doesn't want our agency taken away. When we are given any sort of commandment whether it's the Ten Commandments or a commandment to support Prop 8, we will always have a choice whether or not we want to follow. Your agency is not being taken away. Someone inviting you to do phone calls is an invitation. No one can force you to do ANYTHING.

Look past the here and now and all of the details of laws, codes, etc. What it comes down to is that Heavenly Father created man and woman as separate and different but equal partners and that anything other than this is not marriage. He also created His plan that we would form family units of a father, a mother, and children, and this is the unit through which we are organized in the eternities. This is an eternal matter. God defined marriage; we as His children do not have any place to define it. He is all knowing, loving and merciful, but He nor His servants will ever ask us to be cruel. By supporting Prop 8, we are in no way persecuting others. We must absolutely love people with all of our hearts but this does not mean embracing lifestyles that clearly go against God's ETERNAL plan for His children. We can love people without loving what they do, and truly loving others mean inviting them, not forcing them, to a better way: His way."

Christian Perspectives: My Response

I received a message on MySpace from someone who is part of a tolerance group. This person asked me to consider the Bible's admonition about judging others, particularly the story of the Good Samaritan which teaches us to love our neighbor, (i.e. everybody), and the story of the adulterous woman who was about to be stoned. Jesus stopped those with the stone by saying, "He is without sin, let him cast the first stone." Everyone left because we all sin at some point. Here was my response:

"I consider myself quite understanding of both sides. I have visited the No on Prop 8 website as well to get the full perspective. What I love about the story of Jesus stoning the woman though, is that He did say that we are not to judge, however He also went to the woman and said, "Go and sin no more" after saying that He did not condemn her. Christ urges us to not condemn or judge others, but that does not mean that we have to be tolerant of sin. God loved sinners, not sin. Truly loving someone is loving them no matter what, but at the same time leading them to be more like God. By legalizing same-sex marriage, we are encouraging more opportunities for same-sex couples to be together rather than encouraging them to live another way. I am not being insensitive to those that struggle with homosexual feelings. I realize that is very real, but just because we have certain feelings or thoughts does not mean we need to act on them.

The Bible is full of examples of how God feels about homosexuality. You are absolutely right that it is not our place to judge; it is God's place to judge. God created Adam and Eve, man and woman, and instituted marriage as between a man and a woman. Those of us voting "yes" on Prop 8 are not calling the shots and defining marriage, we are simply KEEPING marriage the way God defined it a the beginning of time. It is not our job to define marriage; God has already done that. I have seen other Christians struggle with Prop 8 because they feel that Jesus did not legislate His teachings, and I completely agree that government ideally should stay out of it. Prop 22 passed in 2000 and FOUR judges decided that what CA voted on doesn't matter. That is the reason that this issue is even on the ballot again.

I am absolutely against persecution against homosexuals in every way, shape and form. I don't feel that Prop 8 is about equality or persecution. Civil unions will receive all of the same benefits for insurance, property, and hospital visitations. But redefining what God defined as marriage will open the door for marriage no longer having a fundamental place in society as a holy sacrament. As far as inequality goes, I feel that much of the inequality that will result if Prop 8 doesn't pass will be seen in churches that lose tax-exemption status or get sued because they won't marry gay couples, or parents who find out after the fact that gay marriage has been discussed in their child's classroom because the teacher has to teach gay marriage as being equal. If you had to choose to not have a mother or not have a father, would you be able to choose? A mother and a father are the best situation to raise children. I realize this does not happen often, but that does not mean that we need to encourage it from not continuing to happen."

I then thanked them and agreed that we need to get the beam out of our own eyes before we look at the motes in others eyes. I hope to receive a response from that person soon.

Proposition 8 in Plain English

I found this video to be very simple, easy to follow, but very informative! Enjoy!

~ Mary

Official Argument Against Prop 8 with Rebuttal

ARGUMENT AGAINST PROPOSITION 8

OUR CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION—the law of our land—SHOULD GUARANTEE THE SAME FREEDOMS AND RIGHTS TO EVERYONE—NO ONE group SHOULD be singled out to BE TREATED DIFFERENTLY.

In fact, our nation was founded on the principle that all people should be treated equally. EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW IS THE FOUNDATION OF AMERICAN SOCIETY.

That’s what this election is about—equality, freedom, and fairness, for all.

Marriage is the institution that conveys dignity and respect to the lifetime commitment of any couple. PROPOSITION 8 WOULD DENY LESBIAN AND GAY COUPLES that same DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

That’s why Proposition 8 is wrong for California.

Regardless of how you feel about this issue, the freedom to marry is fundamental to our society, just like the freedoms of religion and speech.

PROPOSITION 8 MANDATES ONE SET OF RULES FOR GAY AND LESBIAN COUPLES AND ANOTHER SET FOR EVERYONE ELSE. That’s just not fair. OUR LAWS SHOULD TREAT EVERYONE EQUALLY.

In fact, the government has no business telling people who can and cannot get married. Just like government has no business telling us what to read, watch on TV, or do in our private lives. We don’t need Prop. 8; WE DON’T NEED MORE GOVERNMENT IN OUR LIVES.

REGARDLESS OF HOW ANYONE FEELS ABOUT MARRIAGE FOR GAY AND LESBIAN COUPLES, PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE SINGLED OUT FOR UNFAIR TREATMENT UNDER THE LAWS OF OUR STATE. Those committed and loving couples who want to accept the responsibility that comes with marriage should be treated like everyone else.

DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS ARE NOT MARRIAGE.

When you’re married and your spouse is sick or hurt, there is no confusion: you get into the ambulance or hospital room with no questions asked. IN EVERYDAY LIFE, AND ESPECIALLY IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS ARE SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH. Only marriage provides the certainty and the security that people know they can count on in their times of greatest need.

EQUALITY UNDER THE LAW IS A FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEE. Prop. 8 separates one group of Californians from another and excludes them from enjoying the same rights as other loving couples.

Forty-six years ago I married my college sweetheart, Julia. We raised three children—two boys and one girl. The boys are married, with children of their own. Our daughter, Liz, a lesbian, can now also be married—if she so chooses.

All we have ever wanted for our daughter is that she be treated with the same dignity and respect as her brothers—with the same freedoms and responsibilities as every other Californian.

My wife and I never treated our children differently, we never loved them any differently, and now the law doesn’t treat them differently, either.

Each of our children now has the same rights as the others, to choose the person to love, commit to, and to marry.

Don’t take away the equality, freedom, and fairness that everyone in California—straight, gay, or lesbian—deserves.

Please join us in voting NO on Prop. 8.


REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT AGAINST PROPOSITION 8

Proposition 8 is about traditional marriage; it is not an attack on gay relationships. Under California law gay and lesbian domestic partnerships are treated equally; they already have the same rights as married couples. Proposition 8 does not change that.

What Proposition 8 does is restore the meaning of marriage to what human history has understood it to be and over 61% of California voters approved just a few years ago.

Your YES vote ensures that the will of the people is respected. It overturns the flawed legal reasoning of four judges in San Francisco who wrongly disregarded the people’s vote, and ensures that gay marriage can be legalized only through a vote of the people.

Your YES vote ensures that parents can teach their children about marriage according to their own values and beliefs without conflicting messages being forced on young children in public schools that gay marriage is okay.

Your YES vote on Proposition 8 means that only marriage between a man and a woman will be valid or recognized in California, regardless of when or where performed. But Prop. 8 will NOT take away any other rights or benefits of gay couples.

Gays and lesbians have the right to live the lifestyle they choose, but they do not have the right to redefine marriage for everyone else. Proposition 8 respects the rights of gays while still reaffirming traditional marriage.

Please vote YES on Proposition 8 to RESTORE the definition of marriage that the voters already approved.

Official Argument in Favor of Prop 8 with Rebuttal

http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/argu-rebut/argu-rebutt8.htm

Proposition 8 is simple and straightforward. It contains the same 14 words that were previously approved in 2000 by over 61% of California voters: “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”

Because four activist judges in San Francisco wrongly overturned the people’s vote, we need to pass this measure as a constitutional amendment to RESTORE THE DEFINITION OF MARRIAGE as a man and a woman.

Proposition 8 is about preserving marriage; it’s not an attack on the gay lifestyle. Proposition 8 doesn’t take away any rights or benefits of gay or lesbian domestic partnerships. Under California law, “domestic partners shall have the same rights, protections, and benefits” as married spouses. (Family Code § 297.5.) There are NO exceptions. Proposition 8 WILL NOT change this.

YES on Proposition 8 does three simple things:

It restores the definition of marriage to what the vast majority of California voters already approved and human history has understood marriage to be.

It overturns the outrageous decision of four activist Supreme Court judges who ignored the will of the people.

It protects our children from being taught in public schools that “same-sex marriage” is the same as traditional marriage.

Proposition 8 protects marriage as an essential institution of society. While death, divorce, or other circumstances may prevent the ideal, the best situation for a child is to be raised by a married mother and father.

The narrow decision of the California Supreme Court isn’t just about “live and let live.” State law may require teachers to instruct children as young as kindergarteners about marriage. (Education Code § 51890.) If the gay marriage ruling is not overturned, TEACHERS COULD BE REQUIRED to teach young children there is no difference between gay marriage and traditional marriage.

We should not accept a court decision that may result in public schools teaching our kids that gay marriage is okay. That is an issue for parents to discuss with their children according to their own values and beliefs. It shouldn’t be forced on us against our will.

Some will try to tell you that Proposition 8 takes away legal rights of gay domestic partnerships. That is false. Proposition 8 DOES NOT take away any of those rights and does not interfere with gays living the lifestyle they choose.

However, while gays have the right to their private lives, they do not have the right to redefine marriage for everyone else.

CALIFORNIANS HAVE NEVER VOTED FOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE. If gay activists want to legalize gay marriage, they should put it on the ballot. Instead, they have gone behind the backs of voters and convinced four activist judges in San Francisco to redefine marriage for the rest of society. That is the wrong approach.

Voting YES on Proposition 8 RESTORES the definition of marriage that was approved by over 61% of voters. Voting YES overturns the decision of four activist judges. Voting YES protects our children.

Please vote YES on Proposition 8 to RESTORE the meaning of marriage.


REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF PROPOSITION 8

Don’t be tricked by scare tactics.

PROP. 8 DOESN’T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH SCHOOLS
There’s NOT ONE WORD IN 8 ABOUT EDUCATION. In fact, local school districts and parents—not the state—develop health education programs for their schools.

NO CHILD CAN BE FORCED, AGAINST THE WILL OF THEIR PARENTS, TO BE TAUGHT ANYTHING about health and family issues. CALIFORNIA LAW PROHIBITS IT.

And NOTHING IN STATE LAW REQUIRES THE MENTION OF MARRIAGE IN KINDERGARTEN!

It’s a smokescreen.

DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS and MARRIAGE AREN’T THE SAME.
CALIFORNIA STATUTES CLEARLY IDENTIFY NINE REAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MARRIAGE AND DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS. Only marriage provides the security that spouses provide one another—it’s why people get married in the first place!

Think about it. Married couples depend on spouses when they’re sick, hurt, or aging. They accompany them into ambulances or hospital rooms, and help make life-and-death decisions, with no questions asked. ONLY MARRIAGE ENDS THE CONFUSION AND GUARANTEES THE CERTAINTY COUPLES CAN COUNT ON IN TIMES OF GREATEST NEED.

Regardless of how you feel about this issue, we should guarantee the same fundamental freedoms to every Californian.

PROP. 8 TAKES AWAY THE RIGHTS OF GAY AND LESBIAN COUPLES AND TREATS THEM DIFFERENTLY UNDER THE LAW.
Equality under the law is one of the basic foundations of our society.

Prop. 8 means one class of citizens can enjoy the dignity and responsibility of marriage, and another cannot. That’s unfair.

Official Voter Background on Prop 8

To get some more factual & unbiased information before I give my own opinions, here is the text from the OFFICIAL voter's guide on Proposition 8. You can find information about all of the propositions here: http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/

BACKGROUND
In March 2000, California voters passed Proposition 22 to specify in state law that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. In May 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled that the statute enacted by Proposition 22 and other statutes that limit marriage to a relationship between a man and a woman violated the equal protection clause of the California Constitution. It also held that individuals of the same sex have the right to marry under the California Constitution. As a result of the ruling, marriage between individuals of the same sex is currently valid or recognized in the state.

PROPOSAL
This measure amends the California Constitution to specify that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. As a result, notwithstanding the California Supreme Court ruling of May 2008, marriage would be limited to individuals of the opposite sex, and individuals of the same sex would not have the right to marry in California.

FISCAL EFFECTS
Because marriage between individuals of the same sex is currently valid in California, there would likely be an increase in spending on weddings by same-sex couples in California over the next few years. This would result in increased revenue, primarily sales tax revenue, to state and local governments.

By specifying that marriage between individuals of the same sex is not valid or recognized, this measure could result in revenue loss, mainly from sales taxes, to state and local governments. Over the next few years, this loss could potentially total in the several tens of millions of dollars. Over the long run, this measure would likely have little fiscal impact on state and local governments.

How will you be voting and why?

Good morning voters!

I am pleased to see from the poll that there are just about an equal number of readers from both sides of this issue. Before I start posting my own specific views on this subject, I would like readers to see a variety of arguments on both sides. If you would like to contribute to this, please post a comment on this blog with the following:

1) "Yes", "No", or "Undecided" indicating how you are voting on the proposition.

2) 3) & 4) Your three main reasons for your position

5) Links or sources behind your information

Thank you!

Introduction

My main purpose for this blog is to educate those that are undecided on Prop 8. I support Prop 8 and will present my case for the proposition, but I will also post counter arguments along with my response to those arguments. In fact, I would encourage everyone to visit websites against Prop 8 as long as you also visit sites for Prop 8 to get the whole picture.

I want to make it clear that I do not hate or discriminate anyone. Those that know me will realize this. We can love and tolerate PEOPLE without tolerating what they DO. I will be posting both my secular and religious views on this topic. I will post my religious views separately because I realize that for many, they will not provide a solid impact on their view of Prop 8. I will still share these views for readers to take as they will because they have brought such real, lasting joy to my life.

I encourage anyone who reads what I write over the next few weeks to invite others to read these blogs and to write comments. If you do so, please be respectful and aware that those that support as well as those that oppose Prop 8 will be reading this blog. If you post a comment to counter a previous comment, do so to give other readers your perspective. You are probably not going to change the mind of the person you are writing a counter argument against.

Ultimately, I believe that many of our desires are very similar. We desire love and respect for others, and we want what'ss best for society, we just have different opinions as to how this is to be done. We can debate and disagree with maturity and respect. I hope that we will ALL vote no matter what our position is. Let us celebrate our freedom to MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD without fear of punishment. I used to "not want to be involved" in politics until I realized that I'm involved no matter what! If I don't vote, I fell I'm doing a great disservice to those who gave their lives for US to have that right. I vote to show my gratitude to those people. I vote because I CAN!