Yes or No on Proposition 8 in California
According to a poll from the Public Policy Institute of California, Proposition 8, which would ban gay marriage in California, is trailing heading into the final days of the November election. This is a heated topic of debate here in California, with people on both sides of the issue manning the street corners and overpasses today here in San Jose.
Recent commercials from the “Yes on 8″ side have depicted public schools teaching children all about gay people and gay households and attempting to show that the schools are “warping children’s minds”. From what I have seen, California schools have discussed topics such as gay households, homophobia and sexual orientation for years, all well before the California State Supreme Court made same-sex marriage legal earlier this year. Whether you are in favor or against this ballot measure is entirely up to you.
I have two kids and am not afraid of them learning about both straight or gay families in school. I also have friends who are gay who this ballot measure will hurt. I think it’s wrong to discriminate against anyone and personally, I’m voting no this November.
I’m interested to hear people’s thoughts on the issue though.
From the Associated Press:
A girl in pigtails bounds into the kitchen after school and asks her mother to guess what she learned that day. “I learned how a prince married a prince, and I can marry a princess,” she exclaims to her mortified mom.
This television advertisement for a ballot initiative that would ban same-sex marriage in California urges voters to “protect children” by approving the measure.
There’s not a word about education in Proposition 8, but what public schools will be required to teach about same-sex marriage has emerged as the central issue in the campaign.
The measure’s supporters warn that teachers will be forced to tell young children about gay marriage if the measure fails on Nov. 4.
Opponents of the measure say that’s deceptive because schools already are required to teach tolerance of gays and lesbians, and the ballot measure won’t change that.
“I’ve seen the spots on the TV, and (legalized gay marriage) just isn’t going to require any kind of teaching of personal relationships or lifestyle,” said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell, who has joined the state’s largest teacher’s union in opposing the measure. “That’s just not an accurate statement or portrayal.”
Here’s what the Catholic News Agency has to say:
According to the latest poll from California, those fighting for the defense of traditional marriage have a nine point advantage over activists seeking state recognition of same-sex marriage.
The poll released on Tuesday afternoon by the Knights of Columbus, reports that the drive to pass California’s Proposition 8 is leading among likely voters 52 to 43 percent. If Proposition 8 is passed, it will amend the state Constitution to say, “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in the state of California.”
The poll also shows that Proposition 8 leads in every region of California except the San Francisco Bay Area, where 58% are opposed to the measure.
Californians’ opinions on the State Supreme Court ruling that allowed same-sex couples to be recognized as “married” by the state are evenly divided.
Fifty two percent of likely California voters believe the ruling was wrong to have overturned the 2000 referendum in which voters approved reserving marriage for opposite-sex couples, and 72 percent believe the decision should be left to the voters, the poll found.
Tags: Bay Area, Catholic, Constitution, Discrimination, Election, Gay Marriage, Jack O'Connell, Knights of Columbus, Politics, Prop 8, Proposition 8, Same Sex, San Jose, Sexual Preference, Silicon Valley, Supreme Court
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October 23, 2008 at 10:53 am
thanks for this post.
Marriage is our culture’s ultimate expression of equality–it takes one man and one woman to create a family. Even if a marriage can’t have children or choose not to have children the definition of their relationship expresses this equality.
One could see a lesbian union as a marginalization of men, or a homosexual union as a marginalization of women.
I don’t believe government should sanction the marginalization of any parent. And even though some families can’t have children, or choose not to have children, you can’t separate the child-issue from the marriage issue.
there is a great discussion here:
http://prop8discussion.wordpress.com/2008/10/20/separate-but-equal/
yes on prop 8!
October 23, 2008 at 7:42 pm
We’re starting to see Evangelicals question the wisdom of proposition 8.
October 23, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Here’s what more and more Gay Americans are doing; withholding all federal tax until our FAMILIES and CHILDREN have Marriage Equality.
Our society and its laws treat us as SUB-Americans. Yet they expect us to pay taxes.
R-e-a-l-l-y?
I seriously doubt we will EVER have equality in other areas of life (military, adoption, hate crimes) until the US government starts to treat our families and children AS WORTHY AS other families. How do we expect to enlist in the military openly, adopt children without discrimination, or walk safely out and about in the world if our HOMES, our FAMILIES, are viewed as SUB-human in the eyes of the law?! What is more important than FAMILY?
Is SUB-American OK as a tax-payer? R-e-a-l-l-y?
October 24, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Marriage has always been defined as that union between a man and a woman who on being being married become husband and wife and on the birth of their first child become father and mother. Their Marriage Certificate like countless millions of marriage certificates before them reflect their marital status as Mr and Mrs Jo Public. Regrettably pressure groups are twisting the arms of officials that sit on the bench to redefine marriage .May the judges be firm and resolute and not be like reeds blowing in the wind. They should not bow down in the temple of sacrilege and offer slaughter legal precedents on the altars of perversion.
That is like taking a sledge hammer to a Rolls Royce and smashing it like a maniac that escaped from some nightmare induced rage, or a graffitti artist practicing new style writing using the original Mona Lisa to practice graffitti .Talk about putting lipstick on a pig! Talk about a tone deaf orchestra trying to play one of Beethoven or Mozart’s composition. Madness. Total madness. A bull in a china shop is more polite.
Some people just want to destroy every vestige of respectability in the face of so called modernism.Enough is enough . Away with all this foolishness! Marriage is between a man and a woman. Marriage Certificates have always attested to that. Case law and Statutes recognize the proud institution of marriage. Grandmother’s and grandmother’s, father’s and mother’s proudly show their grandchildren and children their marriaged certificates. Errol Smythe.
October 25, 2008 at 1:44 am
I’m glad you want to hear peoples thoughts on the issue. I recently just submitted my absentee ballot and voted yes on prop 8. The reason is cultural. The bedrock of our society is the family unit and marriage is the public legal bond to recognize that truth.
I post more on my blog
http://mikefarinha.wordpress.com/2008/10/24/why-i-voted-yes-on-prop-8/
Also you can see what is happening in Mass since they made it legal back in 2003
http://www.massresistance.org/docs/marriage/effects_of_ssm.html
October 27, 2008 at 6:53 am
As a newly married same-sex couple, we fully understand that these are changing times that are difficult for those that feel left out or may fear social change – particularly when they feel strongly about joining an argument that doesn’t affect them.
But, just as America eventually recognized that slavery, and even as recent at 1964 bans on inter-racial marriage were wrong, our societal depiction of Native Americans was demeaning, and sanctioned social inequity for women needed to be addressed for the sake of equality; so must society address the inequality of government that provide benefits to one group of taxpaying citizens and deny those same benefits to others in virtually the same situation.
Same-sex couples are not criminals. They represent loving relationships with the same desires to build families (with or without children), share dreams and goals and help each other as they age and grow. They pay taxes, participate in their local communities, and have extended families just like their parents did. Many attend church. Most believe in God. Virtually none expect traditional religion to recognize their marriage any time soon.
And let’s be clear. Proposition 8 is about equality in government, not about forcing religions to condone Gay marriage. Religion is protected in its own right and will remain free to define marriage in any way it sees fit – no matter how discriminatory.
By November 4th, California will have performed approximately 2,000 same-sex marriages. Fait Accompli will protect those of us should Proposition 8 prevail. The turmoil in the California legal system will likely lead to the US Supreme Court – a path that we have been working toward for a long time. And remember; just like the repealing of all state sodomy laws in 2003 based on a single case in Texas, even under a conservative Supreme Court, the US Constitution upholds the right of the “individual” not the majority. How ironic would it be if Prop 8 passes and it ends up expediting legalizing same-sex marriage across America.
It’s an exciting time. Thanks for reading. We’ve got to get back to writing all of our thank you cards. Scott Painter & Andrew Pitts
October 27, 2008 at 2:29 pm
This Prophecy came to me on 23rd October 2008
The Lord said, “ My people must take the bread and the wine as a ordinance daily, for I have commanded them to take it in remembrance of me, the one and only Saviour Jesus Christ.” Where two or three are gathered there am I in the midst, to strengthen and renew, saith the Lord.”
“If you are alone then you must seek and pray for me to send someone to you, so that you can take the Holy Communion together. It is very important for you to do this with someone, this command must be fulfilled in these troublesome days, and it is my command that you take the Holy Communion every day. Not every week, or every month, or every year, but daily.”
“For by doing this every day with a brother or sister, it will bring my strength and victory into your lives, renewing and strengthening you.”
“For my sacrifice on that cross, the emblem of suffering and shame has been changed into victory and everlasting life, through my resurrection body. The Lord saith that you do not need a Pastor, or a Priest, just a brother or a sister in the Lord, this is my command saith the Lord God Almighty.” http://cornishevangelist.wordpress.com
December 29, 2008 at 9:42 am
oapwryjycnsgzujmwell, hi admin adn people nice forum indeed. how’s life? hope it’s introduce branch