The following article is what I would write, if I wrote so clearly and eloquently:
Do you remember the day you got married? Of course you do. Or if you're not yet married, it's a day you might look forward to as one of the best days of your life.
Now imagine that the law prevented you from marrying the person you love. That's what would happen to 100,000 California couples if Proposition 8 passes.
Proposition 8 would take away from one group of people one of the fundamental rights in the California Constitution - the right to marry the person of one's choice. That's wrong and unfair. Equal protection under the law is the foundation of American society.
Same-sex couples are our neighbors and coworkers. We are taxpayers and members of the community. We want to get married, care for each other, and be responsible for each other just like any other couples. The law shouldn't treat anyone differently, and the government shouldn't tell people who they can or cannot marry.
Society changes, attitudes change, and traditions change. At one time, the traditional definition of marriage gave all the rights to the husband and none to the wife. At one time, interracial couples could not marry. No one suggests that we should return to those definitions of marriage. But one tradition that I would like to preserve is that the Constitution is for ensuring rights, not for taking them away.
Proposition 8 is about civil marriage. Clergy have always had the right to refuse to perform or recognize marriages that conflict with their beliefs. And the state has never mandated teaching about marriage in schools. Proposition 8 is not needed to protect children or religious freedom. On the contrary, Proposition 8 would eliminate the right of clergy to perform same-sex marriages if they so choose.
Proposition 8 does not "protect" marriage. The institution of marriage is strengthened when all loving couples can enjoy it.
Proposition 8 is also bad for the economy. Spending on same-sex weddings is expected to contribute nearly $700 million to the California economy over the next three years.
Domestic partnership is not the same as marriage. If your loved one is in the hospital and only family can visit, saying you are married means you belong with that person. There is no confusion, no need to explain your relationship.
Domestic partnerships don't provide the same dignity, respect, and legal protections as marriage.
When I married my husband last June, it was a joyous ceremony. Friends traveled from as far as the East Coast and Europe just to be there. When I became a domestic partner, no one took notice.
We shouldn't use the Constitution to eliminate fundamental rights for any Californian. Please vote 'no' on Proposition 8.
Charles Landau lives in Nevada City.
Now imagine that the law prevented you from marrying the person you love. That's what would happen to 100,000 California couples if Proposition 8 passes.
Proposition 8 would take away from one group of people one of the fundamental rights in the California Constitution - the right to marry the person of one's choice. That's wrong and unfair. Equal protection under the law is the foundation of American society.
Same-sex couples are our neighbors and coworkers. We are taxpayers and members of the community. We want to get married, care for each other, and be responsible for each other just like any other couples. The law shouldn't treat anyone differently, and the government shouldn't tell people who they can or cannot marry.
Society changes, attitudes change, and traditions change. At one time, the traditional definition of marriage gave all the rights to the husband and none to the wife. At one time, interracial couples could not marry. No one suggests that we should return to those definitions of marriage. But one tradition that I would like to preserve is that the Constitution is for ensuring rights, not for taking them away.
Proposition 8 is about civil marriage. Clergy have always had the right to refuse to perform or recognize marriages that conflict with their beliefs. And the state has never mandated teaching about marriage in schools. Proposition 8 is not needed to protect children or religious freedom. On the contrary, Proposition 8 would eliminate the right of clergy to perform same-sex marriages if they so choose.
Proposition 8 does not "protect" marriage. The institution of marriage is strengthened when all loving couples can enjoy it.
Proposition 8 is also bad for the economy. Spending on same-sex weddings is expected to contribute nearly $700 million to the California economy over the next three years.
Domestic partnership is not the same as marriage. If your loved one is in the hospital and only family can visit, saying you are married means you belong with that person. There is no confusion, no need to explain your relationship.
Domestic partnerships don't provide the same dignity, respect, and legal protections as marriage.
When I married my husband last June, it was a joyous ceremony. Friends traveled from as far as the East Coast and Europe just to be there. When I became a domestic partner, no one took notice.
We shouldn't use the Constitution to eliminate fundamental rights for any Californian. Please vote 'no' on Proposition 8.
Charles Landau lives in Nevada City.
No comments:
Post a Comment