thoughts on proposition 8?

[Ben Varkentine]

Proposition 8 and similar measures in other states were obviously a step back. But there's reason to think that taken as a whole, this country is becoming more and more supportive of gay rights:

http://tinyurl.com/57pddo

[maudmac]

That's very good news. Pretty significant increases in just the last 4 years. Four more years of increases like that and we got this thing in the bag.

[Dorothy]

Nice percentage for hospital visitation rights

I don't think that should be an issue anyway. I think that when you are ill (more than just a broken leg or whatever, I mean seriously hospital-comitted) you should be able to point out a couple of people with visitation rights anyway, even if they are not family.

I would desperately want my three best friends instead of my blood kin at my bed anytime they desire, though I do not consider marying either of them But they are way more family to me than anyone else.

[Millerchip77]

Let's all move to Sweden - or at least pay them their due respect. Sweden is as close to perfect as I've seen in terms of gender equality and now it seems sexual equality - rock on!

http://www.thelocal.se/17050/20090121/

[amazon]

Or come to Norway I will welcome you with open arms. I would be glad to marry a fellow kitten

[Millerchip77]

Or come to Norway I will welcome you with open arms. I would be glad to marry a fellow kitten

LOL - you're on I've always fancied Norway...

[Dorothy]

holland has now as much equality as possible only adopting children from countries that refuse adoption to gay couples is impossible because we cant ammend other counties laws and Amsterdam rocksss.

more lesbians always a good thing too

[HC]

Back last year when Prop 8 got voted in I thought I'd send an email to the office of California's own governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, making my own small contribution to help our Californian friends overturn it.

Dear Sir,
I feel the need to voice my opposition to the recent results from the vote on Proposition 8, and express my wish to see it overturned by California's Supreme Court. I applaud the support given by the governor in this matter to the opponents of the proposition and continuing hope that civil rights may move forwards again.
As a straight Englishman, I have nothing personally invested in the outcome; however I was still deeply disappointed upon reading the result. The American dream can still inspire the world and California, one of the most forward looking states in the Union, holds a special place in the global psyche. To those people living in less progressive parts of the US and overseas, California sets an example for them to never give up and always strive for something better.
It was Thomas Jefferson who once said that "error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it."
I implore you to be an such an agent of reason in this matter and continue to show your support for proposition 8 being overturned.
Thank you for your time and warm regards.

Well lookie what I found in my email inbox today:

Thank you for writing to share your thoughts about Proposition 8. I appreciate
hearing from fellow Californians about the important issues facing our state.

In 2000, voters approved Proposition 22 - also known as the California Defense of
Marriage Act. Lawsuits contesting the constitutionality of the measure were filed,
and on May 15, 2008, the California Supreme Court determined that Proposition 22 was
unconstitutional. Then, through the initiative process, Proposition 8 was placed on
the ballot as a constitutional amendment to eliminate the right of same-sex couples
to marry in California.

Proposition 8 now appears to have passed, pending certification by the Secretary of
State. Some people, however, have filed lawsuits challenging the amendment's
legality. Both the official proponents of Proposition 8 and opponents of
Proposition 8 urged the California Supreme Court to hear the lawsuits directly,
bypassing the lower courts, and I am pleased that the court has agreed to hear the
cases in order to provide the people of California with finality regarding
Proposition 8. Whether the Court rules in favor of or against Proposition 8, I will
uphold its decision.

Again, thank you for taking time to write and share your comments.

Sincerely,


Arnold Schwarzenegger

OK I known it's only a generic message sent to however many thousand of people who send something in and doesn't say anything particularly new or groundbreaking, but still kinda cool to get an email back.

[Millerchip77]

Watch this video, sign the petition...

http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/divorce

And whatever happens re: Prop 8, we will fight on, and on, and on....

[Dorothy]

We'll fight until all love is equal.
No one should have to explain love, you can't, love is love.

[Karzia]

I was never so disapointed in my fellow Nebraskans as when they passed LB421 that banned any kind of same sex union. I had hoped we were above all that, I was wrong. My heart goes out to all of you that were married only to have your state tell you "oh now you arn't". When will folks realise that my 20 plus year relasionship is not the end of famliy values but the begining of new ones.