I Just felt compelled to post since I am a straight women living in California who’s best friend/sister has been in a lesbian relationship for over 10 years and (thank God) is still considered married to this wonderful woman (whom I have known since the 10th grade). I want to remind everyone looking in from the outside that things ARE getting better. In our fight against Prop 22 (a proposition similar to Prop 8, but without the reality of having taking away and ACTUAL right provided by the Courts) we lost 61.4% to 38.6%. In last years election Prop 8 passed by 52.24% – a small majority really and mostly among older voters. In the interim much more conservative states, like Iowa, have adjudicated the matter and deemed gay marriage legal.

Being as I am int eh legal field I understand how the same judges that overturned Prop 22 could not overturn Prop 8. The argument was legally sound. However, if you read the argument you see the out. The judges indicate that there is nothing THEY can do about the way the California Constitution has been written – but there IS something WE can do. We can put another measure on the next ballot or we can find a way to bring it the U.S. Supreme Court. One way or another the fight is certainly not over and more people see our side every time its brought up.

BTW – I volunteered for the “No on 8″ campaign and will do so again. You are right that we all need to better explain ourselves – whether straight or gay. One thing that I think needs to be done is to reduce any rhetoric that may be deemed a snub to people who follow any type of religion. We need to emphasize that this is not a religious argument but an argument about rights. As a religious person you may not agree with homosexuality or gay marriage – fine. That’s your right. You can feel any way you want. however, as an AMERICAN you have to question inequality.

There are so many issues where I often just haven’t the guts to be clear about… keep avoiding arguments… not liking that part of my current self, though – words like yours remind me to think about more of the things that are important in life, so – thanks!

All the best for your trip!

I would like to link to this on my blog.

I’ve yet to figure out how my partner and I – a couple of homebody twinks – are more destructive to the sanctity of marriage than Britney Spears, The Bachelor, or a Flava Flav show, but as long as the religious zealots out there keep saying that we are, they’re winning votes.

For that matter, I can’t figure out why their religious interpretation trumps all other religious views. I’m Jewish; our temple has a giant sign in front that says “Civil marriage is a civil right.” Clearly gay marriage isn’t diametrically opposed to religious institutions. But again – we let them define the terms and we never fight back because we assume that everyone’s willing to see reason.

I’m so very sad to hear the news about Cali today, and only just found out after my knit night tonight, so I’m sorry for the delay in responding to this.
We’ll get there, Amy. It WILL happen!!