An image blogger Perez Hilton Photoshopped showing just how discriminatory viewers think Prop 8 is.
As Election Day approaches we can’t help but wonder which propositions to vote for when the media is bombarding us with advertisements.
One proposition in particular deserves attention because of the divide it is causing amongst the public. Proposition 8, also known as the “California Marriage Protection Act,” is causing endorsements, protest and even hate crimes. Prop 8 is an amendment to the California Constitution defining marriage as between a man and a woman. In 2000, a similar proposition passed, proposition 22.
A May 2008 Field Poll indicated 51% Californians supported same-sex marriage, while 42% of Californians opposed it: this number has changed today though because of the aggressive marketing used by “Yes on 8” campaign.
Business (Google, Apple), presidential hopefuls (Barack Obama), educators (California Teachers Union), politicians (Pelosi, Feinstein), mayors (Mayor Newsom, Mayor Villairagosa), celebrities (Steven Spielberg) religious leaders (all six Episcopal diocesan bishops in California) and even Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger oppose Proposition 8.
Senator Feinstein, who drew criticism from the LGBT community for her views on marriage, made public remarks on the matter, stating,
So if the public, the media, big business, and even educators stand against proposition 8, isn’t it in the best interest of Californians to vote against it?
It is in California’s best interest to vote against Proposition 8 to protect rights given by the state constitution’s equal protection clause, to eliminate discrimination and to bolster the economy.
Despite personal beliefs, the public should respect the court’s decisions. If the court rules that same-sex marriage is legal, it is our job as citizens to understand the court ruling is in our best interest.
Federal and state law indicate that a person cannot be denied rights because the equal protection clause, a provision of the U.S. Constitution 14th Amendment, ensuring citizens cannot be denied “equal protection under the law.” This means that a class or group of people cannot be discriminated against by the law.
California’s LGBT population is one of the largest in the country. Same-sex couples in California are given a significant number of rights compared to other states, benefiting from domestic partnership laws. Same-sex marriage rights were granted in 2004, and then taken away soon after. This might possibly happen again in 2008 if Proposition 8 passes. If any of these rights were to be taken away after initially in place, it would be unconstitutional. The public needs to realize that it is not only discrimination but constitutionality they need to be concerned about.
To protect the culture and traditional values of Californians it is important to leave the Constitution as is. Changing the California Constitution divides communities and opens up a debate over the “traditional.”
Just like an interracial or interfaith marriage, a same-sex marriage while not traditional can still be considered of importance to communities.
Another reason that voters must oppose Proposition 8 is to follow the example of many other successful states and countries by overturning marriage bans, granting same-sex marriages/civil unions, and seeing positive economic and public feedback. If same sex-marriage is legal in other countries, clearly people realize there are benefits to it.Same-sex couples can get married in the U.S. and abroad. In Massachusetts and Connecticut, same-sex couples can get married, and in Vermont and New Jersey couples they can take part in “civil unions.”
Marriage is also a private matter that affects only the parties involved, families, and those providing economic and health benefits (like companies) to the couple. Therefore it is not the responsibility of the general public to know or care about your marriage.
A “Yes on Proposition 8″ advertisement taking advantage of “No on Prop 8″ supporters.
One of the primary “No on Prop 8″ commercials being shown on television.
Ads supporting Proposition 8 claim same-sex marriage is “forced” on children who are “indoctrinated. In fact it is the opposite: There are a number of court cases and controversies in which teachers are reprimanded for bringing religion (or bringing a Bible) into the classroom, an example being when a teacher in Ohio was forced to remove the Bible from their classroom desk. It isn’t necessarily then the non-traditional that raises controversy in the classroom today, but rather the traditional that causes more controversy.
We separate church and state in the U.S. educational system for the benefit of the public. If same-sex marriage is to remain legal, nothing would change for children in the classroom. If a child had a teacher who was gay, and married to their partner, it would be the teacher’s obligation to not discuss their beliefs or personal life in the classroom.
Probably one of the biggest benefits of not passing Proposition 8 would be the economic benefits. Considering the number of state economies in fiscal trouble, same-sex marriage, would generate revenue in the state budget to bolster the economy.
Same-sex marriage is a significant and unexpected source of revenue. The state Attorney General, in his description of proposition 8 said passing Prop 8; it would cause the state and local governments to lose “tens of millions of dollars in sales taxes.” Just planning any marriage, including a same-sex marriage will generate millions in revenue from marriage planners, the state (for marriage licenses), businesses, decorators, venue owners, entertainers, giving California a solution to the economic turmoil If Californians were to pass Proposition 8, they would be denying themselves an economic solution to the state’s budget crisis.
A report from Sonoma County detailed how same-sex marriage would help create jobs and generate revenue:
The report concludes 430 to 865 new jobs would be created between 2009 and 2011 from same-sex weddings in Sonoma County and new wages for new and existing workers will total $13.7-$27.6 million.
So think twice before letting voters rewrite the California Constitution—not passing Proposition 8 benefits the state legally, economically and still protects equal rights.
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