Most of you already know aboutProposition 8, the ballot initiative Californians will vote on during the General Election this November 4.
But maybe you don’t realize how important it is to all of us that this initiative is defeated.
Thanks to the state Supreme Court, the California constitution now guarantees marriage equality for
same-sex couples. If passed, Proposition 8 will amend the constitution to include a section stating that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. That result could possibly be
challenged under the federal constitution, but it’s not guaranteed
that such a case would be successful. Further, while state Attorney General Jerry Brown has gone on record saying Prop 8would not be retroactive, meaning existing gay marriages in the state would not be nullified, other legal opinions vary on that issue. Supporters of the initiative insist that it will invalidate all gay marriages, past and future, no matter when or where performed.
Needless to say, it’s imperative that Prop 8 is defeated. Not just for Californians but for all of us who support marriage equality. A defeat in this election would be exponentially damaging, setting back decades of progress toward marriage equality — if Prop 8 passes, it will be the first time in the history of the United States that voters have stripped away an existing right to marry.
Alternately, if Prop 8 is defeated, it’s likely to speed up the marriage equality movement nationwide.
And our opponents know it. Anti-gay organizations have poured tens of millions of dollars into this fight, casting it as the decisive battle in the culture wars. As of right now, they have raisedmore money than the opposition, despite high profile donors likeSteven Spiellberg andBrad Pitt, both of whom have recently donated $100,000 to defeat the initiative.
Recent polling indicates there is a good chance that the initiative will be defeated, in part due to the hoped-for record numbers of youth voters turning out to support Obama. Of course these polls have also energized the supporters of the initiative to redouble their already well-organized efforts.
How can you help? Here’s a couple of ways:
- Our good friendLesbian Dad has been running afund raiser via Act Blue, with a goal of $5,000. She’s so very, very close, it won’t take but a few donations to put her over the top.
- Learn more about hownon-Californians can help defeat Proposition 8.