How has your life changed since June 17th?
On the down side, if you're like me, you've probably lost a good chunk of your 401K or IRA. But, on the up side, perhaps you had a week or two off for summer vacation you spent with your family ... maybe traveled to the mountains or the beach. Certainly, you are a bit older, and perhaps a bit wiser. But it's likely that as you look back at it, probably things are pretty much the same now as they were four months ago.
Which is understandable, even though on June 17, 2008, the first same-sex marriages took place in California. Since then, according to The Sacramento Bee, an estimated 11,000 same sex couples have legally wed.
Now, you might remember, after the Supreme Court ruled in May that same-sex weddings were legal in California, opponents predictably cried fouled. They expressed concerns that churches opposed to gay marriage would lose their tax exempt status, that second and third graders would be taught that it's perfectly OK for two boys to get married, and they argued that it would erode the sanctity of traditional marriage between a man and a woman. These are pretty much the same arguments being used now in the $27-million dollar "Yes on 8" campaign, funded almost exclusively by out of state religious organizations (the Mormon Church and Knights of Columbus are the leading contributors).
The reality is, since the first "Adam & Steve" and "Sarah & Eve" said "I do," none of those threats has materialized. No church has been threatened, second and third grade boys are not being encouraged to walk hand in hand toward the alter, and no heterosexual marriage has been devalued or dissolved (at least not as a result of 11,000 same sex couples tying the knot).
Which gets us to where we are now.
I really had no intention of writing this blog until last week when I talked to someone who is extremely close to me, someone who I have known all my life, who told me he is voting "Yes" on Proposition 8. I was disappointed that someone who knows me and knows my partner, Kurt, as well as he does would want to go so far as to change the California constitution to deny equal rights to us. It is clear to me that in the eyes of this person, I am not equal. And to me that is very sad and troubling on a personal level.
Those of you who have known me (and Kurt) over the years know that we are law abiding upstanding caring people, good neighbors, close to our families, conscientious co-workers, good friends, and contributors to the community. Those who know us very well know that we share an exceptional relationship. As one of my former co-workers at News10 told me, "You guys have a better relationship than most of the married couples I know."
We also respect others including those with divergent views. As a reporter for more than 30 years, I regularly sought out those with opposing views. And I truly respect the freedoms that this great country provides its citizens in voicing those views ... as long as they don't hurt others or infringe upon the rights of others.
And when it comes down to it, that's pretty much what Proposition 8 does. It takes away the rights of a group of Americans. It legalizes discrimination in the constitution of California.
My friends, (now I sound like John McCain), I certainly respect your right to voice your opinion, to vote your conscience, not just on Proposition 8 but on all the issues facing us. But when it comes time for you to cast your vote on Proposition 8, think of Kurt & me and think of the type of people we are ... what we have meant to you over the years ... how we have contributed. And if you agree that we deserve to have the same rights that most other Americans have, I would request that you vote "No" on Proposition 8.
As always, I welcome your responses.
