If you're not in California, you can skip this!

I know many people believe that their votes don't matter. But no matter what you believe about the candidates, or about votes for elected officials, a vote against Proposition 8 DOES matter.

In an unbelievable "wtf where they thinking" moment, the drafters of the California constitution allowed the constitution to be amended by a simple majority of voters. That's 50% + 1 person casting votes.

Once something is in the constitution, it can't be removed or changed without a 2/3 majority of voters.

Proposition 8 would amend the constitution to remove rights from a group of people. No matter what you think about same-sex marriage, you have to ask yourself if amending the constitution to add discrimination against people is the right thing to do.

A huge disinformation campaign is now being waged, bankrolled mostly by out-of-state religious groups, including almost $10 million from the Mormon church. You have probably seen the ads. If you are tempted to believe them, don't. I can provide references if anyone asks.

I met my partner Ron in November, 1984. I can still remember the moment like it was yesterday. Last week, after nearly 24 years, we were legally married. I know it's a cliché but it was without a doubt one of the happiest and most emotional events of my life. We had wanted to have our marriage be on the anniversary of the day we met, but we were afraid that Proposition 8 might pass and we might not be able to.

If you are married and have kids, or are thinking of having kids, would you want to deprive them of the joy of getting married? If Proposition 8 passes, they might never have that opportunity. Do you think it right to prevent your gay or lesbian friends from getting married?

I'm not just asking you not to vote yes. I'm asking you to go out and vote NO. Don't let those who would add discrimination to our constitution to win.

I'm not too proud to beg. Please do this. Pick a reason. Do it for me. Do it for your friends. Do it for your potential children. Do it because legislating discrimination diminishes us all.

Just DO it. Vote NO on Proposition 8.

Thanks for reading.

Above all LOVE.

It saddens my heart that anyone would deny another person equal rights and thats what this is about.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."


You have my no vote Coasterbear.

I feel for you, but you had better get married before election day, or you may be out of luck. Due to how the law is construed, if you do it before then, you're "in" even if Prop 8 passes, probably.

That said, I am not getting in on this argument, since it is so politically charged, but I do believe there are ramifications to both a yes or a no vote that I don't like. There is no perfect solution to this on the table that satisifies all traditionally married couples (man and woman) and new-interpretation married couples (man and man, or woman and woman). However this goes, it will not be the end to this issue, here or nationally. People should explore all the issues before voting.

California, a state that is supposedly among the bluest of the blue states, is having a tough time defeating this one? In the end, I do believe the Proposition will lose, but the fact that it is even a close race is a sad commentary.

Congrats Paul on the wedding.

If I were in California, I would be voting No with all of the other people who believe in basic human rights.

congratulations on getting married cb. My boyfriend Ryan and I met just over two years ago, and like you, I can recall every moment like it was yesterday. We talk about getting married and having children every day, and I couldn't imagine how my life would be if i hadn't met him.

We are lucky to live in MA where getting married is legal for us still, but we face the same difficulties as all other states because of bizarre radical beliefs that two men or two women can't fall in love with one another. Every year something comes up that tries to knock the law off of the books.

And you are right. It doesnt matter if you like same sex marriage or not, it's denying people basic human rights. This week it could be this issue, next week it could be something that affects you or your family.

I'm pushing for you folks..I really hope the people of California come through on this one.

Add another gay board member plee...
Think of your fellow board members, family members, and friends.

Please vote NO...there are no "ramifications", and this does not effect traditional marriage in any way.

::sarcasm alert::
Can we vote on YOUR marriage?

Already cast my vote. It's sad how many "Yes on 8" signs I've been seeing around my neighborhood. The polls show a close race, this is definitely worth your even if you don't care about anything else on the ballot.

Thank you for the congratulations and warm thoughts!

As I said in my first posting, there is much disinformation flying around. The fact is that there is nothing in Prop 8 or in the Supreme Court decision that it would overturn that affects traditional mixed-sex married couples in any way.

That is something that we can agree on.

As I mentioned elsewhere I'm horrified this is even an issue and here in California of all places!

But on a happy note Congrates Paul & Ron!!!!!!!!!
Hope you got the package I sent?!

And Yes Michele and I will be voting NO on 8!!!

As a Human Resources Manager my job is to protect the rights of any and all employee's as well as the company. That said, I find it truly disgusting that with all the other problems this country faces, they find it necessary focus on (in my mind) such a small thing that affects noone other than those who decide to enter into a same sex marriage. As an American what do I care if your married to Robin or Rob unless I'm just a nosey person who feels the need to involve myself in another individuals personal affairs. Does it affect my ability to live, have happiness or be free?....NO. I truly believe in equallity for all regardless of my personal opinion of any matter. I feel its every Americans right (by our own constitution) to marry whom ever they please without the state or country becoming involved. To take this right away is a slap in the face to our citizens and forefathers who wrote this document to protect Americans from just this type of railroading.
Truly a disgusting matter and people who vote YES should be ashamed of yourselves!!!

Floridians should vote NO on Constitutional Amendment 2, which closely mirrors California's Proposition 8 with regards to the removal of state domestic partnership rights.

http://www.sayno2.com/

Seeing yard signs asking to "vote yes on 2" in my neighborhood sickens me.

congrats coasterbear

Last week my own brother said that the supreme court (hah) took away states' rights to choose on the abortion issue, as in the states' rights to deny choice to others.
This Prop8 crap is more of the same double-think repressive garbage we've been falling under the sway of since Nixon got the boot.
I live in Minnesota, which used to be liberal, and work in an urban area. Most of us want choice for everybody on darn near everything. I hope this trend of retro stupidity gets stomped hard this year.
Do any of you older folks remember when the abortion, sexuality and evolution fearing types were all written off as loonies, illiterates and inbreds? What happened?
Will always vote for individual choice and the separation of church and state...G'luck coasterbear and CA!

sorry not really commenting on the subject but sort of..I saw a nice bumper sticker (though I despise bumper stickers for the most part) which said I'm Straight but Not Narrow and it has a rainbow in the background. Just thought it was cool.

Congratulations on your nuptials Paul!

And yeah, Californians, please vote NO on Prop 8.

CONGRATS!!!
i hope it stays legal long enough for when I move back to CA!



I saw a couple people with similar shirts and pins at gay days disneyland...that was fun times. Imagine all us happy homo's no longer being able to marry in CA.

Thats brilliant

Congrats Paul!

I will be voting NO on 8.

What would a marriage license do for you that you can't already do?

More and more hetro sexual couples are living together and say a marriage license is just a piece of paper.

Thanks

Ike

voted no on prop 8

Control over end of life issues, ICU visits, power of attorney, tax breaks, equal standing in the community etc. Hetero couples are CHOOSING to to live to together and not get married. Gay couples want the choice.

Congrats Coasterbear!

I will be voting no.

i know someone who i would have thought would also vote no, but the pastor at their church (who claims that they do not involve politics in church, but will make an exception to this issue) is urging his church-goers to vote yes because he is worried about a lawsuit against the church in the instance that he will want to refuse to wed a same-sex couple because it is against religion.

I'm sorry, but how does one couples marriage affect another couples marriage? I just don't see how Gay Couple A being married could have any sort of ramification on Hetero Couple B's marriage.
This is stupid. It's not a political issue.

There is obviously a huge amount of support here in Long Beach. But, I still get an uneasy feeling that this is going to be tight... Seeing tons of :: Vote Yes :: around the schools and other areas that get a lot of traffic... Regardless, a lot of us have our NO signs in the windows down this way. And let's face it, this issue is far more important than its face value. It's a narrow-minded minority wanting to take away everyone's rights to choose piece by piece. That's how they getcha... chipping away little by little

Paul, will you be coming down to West Hollywood or Palm Springs this weekend?

Voting NO on Prop H8!