NO on California Prop. 8

This is an email from a friend that I have posted here because it says a lot about why and so many others oppose Prop 8. I have already donated to the campaign and if you feel so inclined, please do so.

Hi everyone – last night, I watched my friends Richard and Dave get married, after 11 years together. To see them dancing cheek to cheek to their chosen first song – Allison Moyet’s version of “What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?” – was pure joy. (Insert happy sniffles, teary eyes and very full hearts here.)

I just got back from two weeks out of the country and ended a self-imposed news blackout, so I was shocked to hear that the California “No on Prop 8” effort is foundering, with supporters of the proposed ban on same-sex marriage gaining steam. WTF, I asked??? (I got a good explanation here and here.)

From what the DailyKos site says, all is not lost – an infusion of new contributions will help bring “No on Prop 8” TV ads to more viewers over the next few weeks. And donations through Sunday night at midnight are going to be matched by philanthropist Steven Bing.

I don’t like to bug friends and family all that often for charitable causes – but I think this one is worth the bother, even if you are straight, or don’t live in California. This is a fundamental civil rights issue that transcends personal and religious beliefs about gay marriage.

When I was the executor of my mother’s estate three years ago, the legal power of a marriage contract was really driven home for me. My parents had been separated for decades, yet the law deferred to the surviving spouse – impacting everything from who could visit a patient in the ICU, who could make decisions about cremation, to inheritance of property, and beneficiaries of pensions and Social Security payments. Since states have created a legal framework that supports marriage, they should not be able to discriminate against people who want to take part in these civil benefits, and enter into a binding legal contract with each other.