Californians are in an uproar this week over Proposition 8, the ballot measure that passed with 52% of the popular vote in November.
Demonstrators on both sides have engaged in shouting matches. Typically, those opposing Proposition 8 are friendly to gays. Those supporting Proposition 8, which bans gay marriage, are usually religious right types who are at best unsympathetic to gays.
I do not have great confidence that the California Supreme Court will overturn Proposition 8 as being unconstitutional.
Regardless of the merits of the case, however, Proposition 8 is just plain wrong. It amounts to a coalition of well-funded religious groups imposing their will on the rest of us. It is irresponsible to deny marriage to gays.
Gay marriage is also a civil rights issue. The alternative to marriage, civil unions, amounts to a separate but equal doctrine. This doctrine was dismissed years ago in Brown v. Board of Education. It should not be resurrected in California.
Even if, as I fear, the court will decide to uphold Proposition 8, the fight for civil liberties will go on. Homosexuals have made astounding gains in the past few years, and California will continue to lead the nation by eventually overturning Proposition 8 and replacing it with legislation the hold’s fast to this nation’s founding principles of life and liberty.
GOOGLE “Omnibus Equality Bill”. We Need This Now.
If more people KNEW of the horror stories, like Tim Coco’s or Laurel Hester’s experiences, they’d REVOLT. The suffering is cruel and heart-breaking, since it always involves one’s CLOSEST FAMILY.
Many more now refuse to “protest” – WE REVOLT. Tax revolt is the non-violent answer, and offers myself and others a modicum of justice and fairness in light of this homophobic, bigoted, discriminating government that THINKS it can tax us unfairly without repercussions. [equality tax revolt]
GOOGLE "Omnibus Equality Bill". We Need This Now.
If more people KNEW of the horror stories, like Tim Coco's or Laurel Hester's experiences, they'd REVOLT. The suffering is cruel and heart-breaking, since it always involves one's CLOSEST FAMILY.
Many more now refuse to "protest" – WE REVOLT. Tax revolt is the non-violent answer, and offers myself and others a modicum of justice and fairness in light of this homophobic, bigoted, discriminating government that THINKS it can tax us unfairly without repercussions. [equality tax revolt];…