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"First, because of the long and celebrated history of the term “marriage” and the widespread understanding that this term describes a union unreservedly approved and favored by the community, there clearly is a considerable and undeniable symbolic importance to this designation. Thus, it is apparent that affording access to this designation exclusively to opposite-sex couples, while providing same-sex couples access to only a novel alternative designation, realistically must be viewed as constituting significantly unequal treatment to same-sex couples"
The key words where are "favored" and "approved." The Supreme Court of California is giving same sex couples access to marriage because marriage is "unreservedly approved and favored by the community" while civil unions are not. If this is the biggest difference between civil unions and marriage, the courts are essentially forcing the community to give favor and approval to same-sex relationships when they do not want to. If that's not judicial activism, I don't know what is.
Follow-up -- found this: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/200710...
I think this is spot on in terms of showing people how discriminatory (therein disgusting) this Prop is & how taking away civil rights should never be tolerated.
I am blown away every time I hear someone is for Prop 8 to "protect the children" when it's been reiterated time & time again that nobody has to fear "they'll be taught about gay marriage in our schools." Seriously... that is the least of your problems - the larger of which is the fact that most schools are unable to responsibly teach sex education period - thanks to Bush's asinine Abstinence only edjucation - and we have more pregnant teens now more than ever and rampant STDs! Those are your STRAIGHT kids not getting taught right, thanks to a bible thumping Republican.
What's more is that there is no harm in being open & honest about the facts of life with your children. Families who wish to celebrate their love & create a sacred union in respect & honor of that love is a beautiful thing. I like how this video points out that it's like fearing two minorities of any kind to get married.
As I wrote on my blog, but I'll post it here again... there is absolutely no reason that anyone in America today should have their civil rights taken away because of their sexual preference. Seriously, it's like saying only people who have all 10 fingers can get married. Or only cat lovers can get married. Or you have to be over 5'8" or something ridiculous. It IS about equality and civil rights. It's 2007 and it's up to us to move forward & not backwards!
Aside from the fact that it's 2008 (not 2007 :) I whole-heartedly agree, Willo. Thanks for your continued support, not only of No On Prop 8, but also of me & AB.
<3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdm5zS14Nok
On a serious note, though -- Larry Lessig asks a good question: If the goal of Prop 8 is to protect and strengthen marriage, then we can play our own game of slippery slope... If divorce is detrimental to the concept of marriage, then the it could be construed that people who have been divorced should not be allowed to re-marry.
Sure to really get under the skin of most of the Prop 8 supporters, but a strong and cogent argument:
http://blip.tv/file/1404208
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.
RON PRENTICE, President
California Family Council
ROSEMARIE "ROSIE" AVILA, Governing Board Member
Santa Ana Unified School District
BISHOP GEORGE McKINNEY, Director
Coalition of African American Pastors
As a side note, Prop. 8 has nothing to do with interracial marriage. It has to do with perserving the rights for all.
Also, just curious if you're for or against Prop 8. Were you just reposting the original text in fairness? I ask because you end your comment with "It has to do with preserving the rights for all." I would agree that a NO vote does exactly that -- but supporting Prop 8 is precisely the opposite.
Thanks for your comment.
if government extends the definition to same-sex couples, it makes marriage genderless-- and it says to children --we don't care if you have a mom and a dad.
that's why i'm voting yes on prop 8.
also, historically gender has ALWAYS mattered in marriage, whereas the interracial marriage movement was an isolated problem in a period of history (not that it didn't happen more than once).
http://prop8discussion.wordpress.com/2008/11/03...
This is a great article & video from a few teens who will tell you themselves:
http://www.proudparenting.com/node/2087
thanks for your comment. and as i've learned time and again when discussing polarizing issues, we're going to have to agree to disagree.