What's Happening With Prop 8?
Today, Matt over at SFist confirms that some poll numbers have, indeed, changed since the inception of this ad. The CBS5 poll he cites shows the ballot measure passing now by a five-point margin.
In the interest of full disclosure, I'm not neutral on this subject. I've suggested in previous posts where I stand as a citizen on Proposition 8 -- which is, against it.
Whatever your stance on gay marriage, Prop 8 is about more than same-sex marriage. It's a dramatic and fundamental change to the California Constitution -- and a denial of certain rights for certain citizens.
These are rights affirmed by the California Supreme Court this year when it ruled that same-sex couples could marry in our state. The Yes on 8 literature refers to this ruling as "the outrageous decision of four activist Supreme Court judges who ignored the will of the people." Those "activist" judges are confirmed in a California general election. And, this is a tenuous argument in the face of discrimination upheld by voters historically. [i.e. Perez v. Lippold (1948) which overturned anti-miscegenation law in California].
I personally do not believe discrimination should be entrenched in a document that ostensibly protects us all equally, under the law.
Matt of SFist has compiled some compelling reasons to vote against Prop 8.
No on Prop 8 is the official opposition to the ballot measure. Yes on 8 is the coalition behind Prop 8.
Related articles:
- Official Voter Guide Information on California Ballot Issues
- 10 Really Bad Arguments Against Same-Sex Marriage (About.com: Civil Liberties)
Comments
I just have to say that if Prop 8 doesn’t pass then several of my unalienable rights that are stated in the Bill of Rights that this Nation was partly founded upon will be alienated. Freedom to allow my kids to be born into and live in a home where Traditional love abounds, that is to say between a Man and a Woman. I would like to make myself clear, I am not anti-homosexuals. They have their rights as much as I do. They can fully exercise those rights RIGHT NOW. If this Proposition doesn’t pass, we allow homosexual marriage, it will allow Homosexual behavior to be taught in PUBLIC schools and become common place. Marriage has been and forevermore should be known as between a Man and a Woman. Allow me to illustrate my point.
The definition of marriage for eons of time has been defined as only between a man and a woman; just the same way that a Peanut Butter and Jelly (PB and J) sandwich(marriage) has to have both PB and J(man and woman) to be a PB and J sandwich(marriage). It can not have just Peanut Butter or Jelly (man and man or woman and woman) and be a PB and J sandwich (marriage) it is still a sandwich (i.e. civil union or domestic partnerships) just not a PB and J sandwich(marriage).
“We Fight Not For Glory, Not For Riches, Not For Honor; We Fight Only And Alone For Freedom, Which No Good Man Surrenders, Save With His Life.” ~ Winston Churchill ~
It’s a common claim that Prop 8 will “protect” kids from learning about gay marriage in school. But that’s a myth — or, if you like, a lie. Kids aren’t learning about it now, and even if they were, Prop 8 wouldn’t change that. It doesn’t won’t change anything that kids learn in schools. It just won’t. Anyone who says otherwise simply doesn’t have the facts.
And the sandwich metaphor is simply gibberish. Or are you suggesting that it should be illegal for your neighbors like to eat a sandwich that has only jelly and no peanuts. Eat and marry however you like, and let your friends and family do the same.
In response to “YesonProp8″ –
First, the Bill of Rights does not stipulate freedom that your children “live in a home where Traditional love abounds.” This is a personal and philosophical belief.
Second, as mattymatt writes, to suggest that “homosexual behavior” will be “taught in PUBLIC schools” is inaccurate and inflammatory.
Third, to delve into the roots of marriage is to open a theoretical discussion that would, in fact, refute the idea of “traditional love” as the basis of the marriage agreement. Historically, marriage has taken on a variety of contexts, including economic contracts. Across history and across cultures, marriage has not been singularly defined by this value system.
i think that in the constitution it states separation of church and state if prop 8 passes the government can and will order churches to not only marry them but they will force a entire generation of Californians my future children to believe that it is okay for a king to marry a king a few weeks ago a Elementary school class went on a feild trip to see there teacher marry her female partner. i personally have never herd of a class going to see a man and a woman be married where was i?
Jon’s comment is a barely-comprehensible attack. And a lie.
Churches will never be forced to marry anyone they don’t want to. Ever. Anyone who says otherwise is simply not telling the truth — it’s a fabrication designed to scare people and manipulate them.
In fact, Prop 8 creates an “excessive entanglement” that could bring MORE regulation to churches.
Churches have complete religious freedom already. Prop 8 doesn’t solve any problems — it creates them. CA’s Constitution is just fine the way it is.
This is what’s most disturbing about the pro-8 advertisements and arguments. The ones, such as those suggested by Jon, are not based in fact. They tend to pander to unfounded fears. The thing people should be genuinely afraid of is what this portends in the way of Constitutional changes — that our state document will, essentially, be amended to eliminate rights. That should be an unacceptable reality for all Californians, irrespective of their personal feelings toward gay marriage — although I personally wish that weren’t a factor, either.
YesonProp 8 says: “blah blah blah”
PB and J? are you serious? That’s the example you can give? That is probably the most and pathetic response to anti prop 8. Where do you go off thinking your rights are better than other people’s rights.
So what if the traditional definition of marriage is man and a woman. Who cares? Definitions of words can be changed; new words can be invented. Marriage is not sacred nor sanctified AT ALL!
you trying to tell me that a drunken couple who just met and got married at Vegas is more sanctified than 2 people who actually love each other? PB and J… ppssh
You think kids will be taught about gay marriage at school? Where in the prop states that? Or are you like every mindless person out there believe every propaganda they hear. If I told you that the civil war is still going on will you not call me a liar and look it up yourself?
Also, what makes you think kids don’t already know about same sex marriages. In the late 1900s they invented this magical thing called the internet that allows people to surf and look up important information. You should look that up.
Chew on that PB and J
1ST IF U LOVE SOMEONE ENOUGH I THINK YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXPRESS THAT BUT TO TEACH CHILDREN ITS OK IS WRONG. 2ND WHO ARE WE TO SAY SHE CANT MARRY HER OR HE CANT MARRY HIM AS HUMAN BEINGS WE CANT BUT DONT PUT IT OUT THERE IN FRONT OF EVERONE TO SEE. EVEN MAN AND WOMAN SHOULDNT DO THAT. REGARDLESS OF THE SEX ITS NASTY GET A ROOM. YOU CANT REFUSE THE RIGHT OF MARRIAGE TO ANYONE BUT IT SHOULDNT HAVE TO CHANGE ANYTHING JUST LET THEM BE HAPPY AND BE ABLE TO WED WITH OUT INFLUENCING SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES
you guys are a bunch of idiots!!!!!!! I have a fag friend and he deserves to be happy!!!!
Churches have rules about who they will marry. They may preclude people from outside their religion to be part of the ceremony. They may require classes or other steps. The bottom line is that the government cannot force them to marry couples that they choose not to whatever the reason.
I agree with Sanfancisco’s comments. “homosexual behavior” is NOT being taught in schools. neither is “heterosexual behavior.” our schools simple teach tolerance. this is being misconstrued by many ignorant people who claim that they are “not homophobic, that they simply dont want gay marriage to be legal.” these closed-minded people need to understand that every single individual in the United States of America is entitled to “Justice, Freedom, and thePursuit of Happiness.” Prop was created by people who were weak and afraid. they claim they have a relationship with god, but god doesnt condemn people to hell for loving another human being. Who are are we to judge?