Diane Feinstein Says No on Prop. 8

As a Californian, I feel pretty strongly about this Prop. 8 that the right wing kooks have placed on our ballot. This is the proposition that would make gay marriage illegal and force all married gay couples to get divorced. So I'd like to make a plea to all of my California readers: Vote NO on Prop. 8.

Let's not beat around the bush -- this is perhaps the most hateful and discriminatory propositions we've ever seen in California. I ask you all to vote against it, because that's the right thing to do both as an equality-loving American and as a moral being.

Prop. 8 does not strengthen straight marriage and it won't improve your life. Instead, it destroys the lives of many loving gay and lesbian couples. Simply because of who they are, this proposition would deny them the basic right to a committed relationship with the legal protections of marriage.

I know that some of you may have religious objections to homosexuality. I understand that. But you won't stop people from being gay with Prop. 8, you are only going to deny them the same civil rights that you enjoy. Imagine if there was a proposition that targeted you as a minority? What if there was a proposition that forced all Mormons to get divorced? Or all Catholics? Or all atheists? People would be horrified by that, as they should be.

Most groups were persecuted at some point in history. It is a sign of progress that our society has moved past such hatred and division. Voting against Prop. 8 is part of that timeless struggle for equality.

It used to be illegal for people of different races to get married, but we have happily done away with such discrimination. It is time for us to stop discriminating against gays and lesbians. They have done nothing wrong to you, so you should do nothing wrong to them.

The ad-makers who tell us to Vote yes on Prop. 8 are a bunch of liars. They are making charges that are simply not true, such as their claims that churches could lose tax-exempt status or that gay marriage will be taught in schools. If you don't believe me, here is a legal analysis by a BYU grad that tears apart these false allegations:

http://mormonsformarriage. com/p=35

The Yes on 8 people should simply tell the truth about this. If they believe that being gay is a sin and should be punished with inequality under the law, then go ahead and say it. Don't lie to us, that's insulting and devious.

If Prop. 8 passes, then Britney Spears can still go get married and divorced on the same weekend, yet a lesbian couple who have been monogamous for thirty years cannot get married. Does that sound fair to you

I know some folks wouldn't mind allowing gay couple to have marriage rights, as long as it is called "civil unions" instead of "marriage". But would you really deny somebody basic civil rights over the choice of words Is it really that important in your daily life

So many Californians were overjoyed when marriage became legal for all this past summer. I have many gay and lesbian friends who felt like they'd just become full citizens under the law. Thousands of couples have gotten married as a result, with their loving families in attendance. If Prop. 8 passes, these people will be forced into divorce, and this entire community will be saddened and distraught.

So please, if you live in California, do the right thing and vote against Proposition 8.

As far as the other propositions, I say vote YES on 1A (high speed trains!) and vote NO on Prop. 4.