The right to be equal - No on Prop 8

For the first time in my life, I have put the time and effort into understanding this election and the issues that plague our country and state. It is kind of empowering to be able to hold a conversation with others and feel like I am holding my ground on issues that I feel strongly about. I never thought I would feel strongly enough to write about my feelings, because everyone has the right to their own beliefs and who am I to say otherwise, but had I to get this off my chest. Here are my views on Prop 8.

I don't understand how human rights could ever be a question in the United States. It is not really a matter of same sex marriage for me, but rather a matter of equality and discrimination. People should be treated equally, bottom line and if Prop 8 passes that right will be taken away. I also don't understand how one prop can be interpreted as so many different things, yet only deal with on issue, marriage. The lawn signs I've seen say "Yes on Prop 8 - Protect Marriages." No where does it say anything about education. When did it become Prop 8 - Protect our children's education and parental rights???

Prop 8 ELIMINATES THE RIGHT OF SAME-SEX COUPLES TO MARRY. That is it! It will:
- Changes the California Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in California.
- Provides that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.

No where in the prop does it say anything about education and what are children are being taught in school. The California Education Code permits school districts to offer comprehensive sex education, but if they do, they have to "teach respect for marriage and committed relationships." Parents can excuse their child from all or part of the instruction (I remember having to turn in a signed permission slip when I had Sex Ed). The case they show on one of their commercials is of a first grade class that went to their lesbian teacher's wedding. They had to get consent from the parents (which they did - two kids didn't go because of that). Whether or not the wedding is something you would call a "teachable" experience, it was the parents' decision and they will answer any questions their children will have. Also, This was also a charter school. It wasn't a public school. The commercial is lying to you about this.

There is also the issue that Churches could lose their tax-exemption status if Prop 8 isn't passed. The court decision regarding marriage specifically says “no religion will be required to change its religious policies or practices with regard to same-sex couples, and no religious officiant will be required to solemnize a marriage in contravention of his or her religious beliefs." I understand the fear people might have, but they have to understand that Massachusetts is not California and they may have different rules regarding this matter.

I will stop my rant and just say that I am sad to hear all of the things that people are saying about this prop. I am sad to see that in 2008, we are still able to discriminate against a group of people after everything this country has gone through in the past. We have overcome so much as a nation and to be able to sit back and allow our children to live in a country where equality is only given to some, makes me very, very sad. No one can take away your family values and what you teach to your children and it should be our job to say "yes, they have a different family then we do, but that is ok." That is a stronger message to our children them anything. We are all different, have different families, look different, come from different places, but no one should be left out, made fun of or segregated because of their beliefs. That is what our children should be learning in school and that is really what Prop 8 is about!!!