Prop 8 is a Civil Rights issue
from Facebook: Brandon joined the groups 1,000,000 Strong to Overturn Prop 8 11:10pm
Should we sign a petition every time the will of the people speak? Time to move on.
Labels: Christianity, homosexuality, justice, marriage, polis
| posted by Unknown @ 11/06/2008 11:28:00 AM
No on 8
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Doris Bittar
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Date: Mon, 3 Nov 2008 10:25:29 -0800
Subject: Letter to Arab Community Regarding Proposition 8
Dear Friends,
I wanted to share with you a letter I wrote that the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee of San Diego sent to the San Diego Arab American community regarding Proposition 8. Prop. 8 is the initiative that takes the right to get married away from those who want to enjoy the benefits and dignity of marriage, because they are of the same sex. If you would like to share this with other Californians or other interested parties, please do so.
Best,
Doris
No on Proposition 8
Dear Fellow Arab Americans,
Proposition 8 is an initiative proposed to the California state constitution. It would eliminate the fundamental right of marriage for same-sex couples in California. Equal treatment under the law is a basic American value and is at the heart of what Arab Americans value, too. As Arab Americans, we understand the deceptive fog of ignorance. The real possibility of our civil rights leaders being arrested immediately following 9-11 almost occurred. At that time many Californians stood with us, among them were brothers and sisters in the gay community. Our culture tends not to discuss these issues openly. Yet, within our own families, men and women suffer, often silently from lack of love and understanding because of our discomfort.
Never before in the State of California has the ballot been used to single out a group of tax-paying, law-abiding Americans and exclude them from their constitutionally-provided basic rights. The constitution guarantees every Californian equal treatment and equal rights. This proposition treats long-term, committed, same-sex couples differently, and that is wrong because we personally know how that eats at the fabric of communities who are misunderstood.
Regardless of how you personally feel about marriage for same-sex couples, most believe that government has no business telling people who can and cannot get married, and people should not be singled out for unfair treatment under the laws of our state. Those committed and loving couples who want to accept the responsibility of with marriage should be treated like everyone else.
Please join us, the governor, and the mayors of San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego and VOTE NO ON PROPOSITION 8 in November. We are all interconnected and Arab Americans understand that valuing each person is how we keep our families strong and insures that all of our children are nurtured toward meaningful lives where they can reach their highest aspirations.
Doris Bittar
San Diego
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Visit Doris Bittar's Web Site
www.DorisBittar.com
Labels: civilrights, homosexuality, marriage, polis, vote
| posted by Unknown @ 11/04/2008 08:49:00 AM
On Marriage and Justice
from a good friend of mine who knows whereof she speaks
Hello all,
I have to add my voice to the No on 8 campaign in this election. Please consider this - especially if you are heterosexual:
How would it feel if you were married, your church community and family celebrated that marriage, but two months later the state sent you a letter annulling your marriage?
How would you feel if your spouse of twenty three years died and, in front of you, the hospital staff turned to her parents as the next of kin to ask about burial plans?
How would you feel if, after her death, you called the insurance company and were told you were not considered an eligible beneficiary to your spouse's/partner's insurance policy?
How would you feel if you found out that you are not eligible for the pension your spouse created through years of hard work - because of a state or federal law?
How would you feel if you received NO social security benefits from the feds when your spouse died?
All of these things happened to me. Even though Mary and I were registered domestic partners! Separate is not equal.
Luckily, the union Mary worked for had sense of justice enough to CHANGE their by-laws to retroactively give me spousal benefits. The State Teacher's Retirement System did not do the same.
No on Proposition 8 is about equality under the law. It is not about religion. It is not about education. It is about justice.
The campaign is very close - all it takes is 50% plus one vote to change the constitution of our state - and the rest of the nation is looking at what we do here. Regardless of what happens in Tuesday's vote, I will not be eligible for Mary's social security benefits because that falls under federal law...but defeating this proposition is the biggest single step we can take toward the day when federal law also changes and equality is reality for same-sex couples.
I've never given to a political campaign before - and I am giving a second time this year (or is it third?). I hate that we have to spend so much money to assure equal rights - but that is the reality of politics in the 21st century.
If you have the wherewithal to give - the link is below. If you don't - please do what you can to urge others to vote NO ON 8. If you have already voted - good for you. Go to Equality California to donate:
http://www.eqca.org/site/pp.
I'm attaching (link below -ed.) one item. It is a detailed refutation of the lies being spread by the Yes on 8 campaign - written by a Mormon lawyer who is unhappy with his church's involvement in the lies. Food for thought. http://www.noonprop8.com/downloads/Thurston-Memo.pdf
I'm sending this email to most of my current email list - in and outside of California - because what's happening here affects us all. If you got this far - thanks for reading!
love and peace,
Judy
PS - feel free to send my message on to others - esp. California voters
Labels: justice, marriage, polis, society, vote
| posted by Unknown @ 10/31/2008 10:08:00 AM
When I say time to move on I mean:
In 2000, voters passed with 61% of the vote, Proposition 22, which added a section to the California Family Code to formally define marriage in California as a union between a man and a woman. In order to qualify for the ballot, Proposition 8 needed ... Read More694,354 valid petition signatures. The initiative proponents submitted 1,120,801 signatures.
Tuesday voters passed with 52.5% of the vote, Prop 8, which amended the California constitution to eliminate the 4-3 Supreme Court ruling that Prop 22 violated equal protection.
When a free and fair election determines my elected officials I may not like the results, but I respect the will of the people. I don't always get everything I want, even if I deem it to be of the utmost importance. California needs to get its shit sorted out. For such progressive state, it can't seem to reconcile the will of the majority with the will of a vocal minority.