Okay, so for those of my readers who are in California, you know all about Prop. 8. For those of you who are out of state, out of the country, or out of your minds like me, Prop. 8 is on the ballot to reestablish the legal definition of marriage as a union between only a man and a woman. So the leaders of our church have asked us to donate financially and of our time to help this proposition pass. We did this in 2000 with Prop. 22, but it was sadly overturned not too long ago by some liberal judges. Anyway, I didn't really understand what all the fuss was. Because of my religious beliefs I agree that same-sex marriage is not part of God's plan and should not be allowed. As we've gotten more involved, however, I've learned a few things. Apparently, adoption agencies would be forced to adopt children out to same-sex couples, or have to close their doors, as happened in Massachusetts. Same-sex history and propaganda would be taught in our schools. Clergymen would be forced to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies, whether it was against their beliefs or not. In short, people would be forced to turn their back on their own beliefs and values in order to support someone else's lifestyle choices. The problem there, if not obvious, is our freedom to choose is taken away. We do not force our beliefs on anyone, and they should not be able to force them on us. I know the issue can be confusing, and it seems logical to live and let live, but the negative ramifications will be huge and probably even beyond anything we can imagine. Please vote yes on Prop 8.
6 years ago
9 comments:
Bless your heart, Jaime.
Love you. MOM
I agree!!
Jaime -
You have a beautiful family! And I'm glad you are thus blessed.
I also appreciate your wanting to get involved politically -- we need mroe people involved in our democracy.
However, it's important that you realize that much of what you have been told about Proposition 8 (or at least what you note here) is wrong.
For example: "adoption agencies would be forced to adopt children out to same-sex couples, or have to close their doors, as happened in Massachusetts."
Proposition 8 has nothing to do with adoption rights. Gay couples can already adopt in California if they prove their fitness as parents. The adoption agency in Massachusetts to which you refer decided to stop all adoptions not because of the approval of same-sex marriage there, but because of Massachusetts's anti-discrimination laws. Passing prop 8 will do nothing to stop gay people from adopting.
By the way, gay people adopt special needs kids at a far higher rate than heterosexual couples. Older kids, kids who have languished in foster care, disabled children, Down syndrome children -- these are the kids most straight couples don't want, so it's more likely that gay couples will be allowed to bring them into their homes and love them.
"Same-sex history and propaganda would be taught in our schools."
I'm not sure where you are getting this from, but Prop 8 has nothing to do with California school curriculum.
"Clergymen would be forced to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies, whether it was against their beliefs or not."
ABSOLUTELY NOT! This is a COMPLETE FALSEHOOD. All you have to do is read the May 15th Supreme Court decision that overturned Proposition 22 and instituted marriage equality in the state. In that decision, those four "liberal judges" (as you call them, though three of them are Republicans) said this: "[A]ffording same-sex couples the opportunity to obtain the designation of marriage will not impinge upon the religious freedom of any religious organization, official, or any other person; no religion will be required to change its religious policies or practices with regard to same-sex couples, and no religious officiant will be required to solemnize a marriage in contravention of his or her religious beliefs."
You can still believe any way you wish -- Prop 8 will change nothing about that. You can teach your children exactly what you like about homosexuality. But if you want to fight Prop 8, at least do it using the truth.
And the truth is, Prop 8 is about equality and fairness for ALL Californians.
Thanks for reading, and thanks for allowing comments on your blog.
My best wishes to you and your family.
That was perfectly said. Can I just copy and past it onto my blog? Oh, I hope we can get enough Yes voters!!
And I just read what Tom wrote (I don't know who he is), but sadly enough he must not know the truth about Prop 8 either. My husband works for an adoption agency and yes, they may have to close their doors because they refuse to let gay couples adopt from them. And YES, it most certainly WILL be taught in our schools. He is right that we as parents still have our rights to teach whatever we want in our homes. But, maybe some of us parents do not want things being taught by teachers that are morally wrong to us. And don't think for a second Teachers will not teach it. I have videos of other states to prove that they already do and on top of that as from a perspective from an aunt that is a teacher she knows many teachers will. Not all, but many. This is a scary time in my mind. I really hope people will vote YES on Prop 8!
Tasha -
Simply because YOU think something is morally wrong, doesn't mean it isn't true. Many people felt it was morally wrong for people of different races to intermarry. Many still do. And they are welcome to teach their children the same. But when those children go to school, I don't see any reason why they shouldn't learn that it is legal for two people of different races to marry. I don't see any reason why a storybook couldn't include an interracial couple -- kids need to learn that we live in a very diverse, complex world.
As far as adoption goes, you do realize there are MANY children languishing in foster care and orphanages today, don't you? And that's WITH gay people being able to adopt. So you would rather those children languish in an orphanage or be shuttled from foster home to foster home, rather than being adopted by two loving gay men or women?
I know you will likely counter that you'd prefer they go to a more traditional home, but the hard truth is that traditional couples aren't adopting all the orphaned children. Especially the special needs kids. Since your husband's adoption agency won't adopt to gay parents, he may not know that traditional couples are put at the head of the line for healthy, white infants. Many traditional couples won't adopt any other kind of child. But gay people will. And isn't it better that those kids have a real home, even if it's not your ideal? Isn't a stable home with two women who are married to each other a better environment for a child to grow up in than an orphanage or a series of foster homes?
I have to side with Tom here! All anyone is asking for is the same LEGAL RIGHTS. Nobody is asking you to decide or judge who is right or wrong. Same sex couples want to be able to own homes together, they want to be able to claim taxes together and they want to be able to visit each other in the hosipital!!! Remember, if you are not "family" you cannot go and visit someone who is sick and possibly DYING in the hosipital, best friend, partner, whoever. Nobody will be "forced" to beleive anything, you can choose whatever you want. Our schools will not be teaching anything but tolerance, which they are currently doing and NO church or clergy can be forced to do anything that is out of line with what they beleive! (ex. Catholic churches do not perform Jewish ceremonies!) This is a tough topic for many, but really, all anyone is talking about is LEGAL rights, not spiritual, not religious, not anything else. They are talking about a marriage as a LEGAL contract in this case, and nobody will take away your rights to whatever spiritual beleifs you have! Have compassion, and be informed, we are all just trying to live our best lives and we should all have the choice and the rights to do THAT.
Wow! That's all I have to say to all the comments. I love you Jaime, I admire you doing the right thing and getting the word out!!!
After all the debate, all the arguing, all the back and forth on the issue of marriage equality, today I want you to think about just one thing. I want you to imagine how it would feel if other people were allowed to vote on the validity of your relationship. How would you feel if millions of people were stepping into voting booths right now to decide whether YOUR marriage would be “valid or recognized”?
i voted yes on 8
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